Wishful thinking? Alex Pereira ‘can’t see Ankalaev beating Rakic’ at UFC 308

Many see Magomed Ankalaev as Pereira’s toughest challenge at 205, but ‘Poatan’ believes he won’t get past Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308.

Alex Pereira continues to take jabs at Magomed Ankalaev on social media as the Russian light heavyweight prepares to fight Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308.

There’s been a heated back and forth going between the 205 pound champion and No. 2 ranked contender since the UFC booked Pereira against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 instead of Ankalaev. That, according to Ankalaev and his manager, was a sign Pereira was scared.

More like Ankalaev was a snooze, replied Pereira.

“Poatan” is typically an all-comers kind of champion, but has since said that all these ducking accusations from Magomed have made him reconsider agreeing to fight the former Akhmat FC champion. Is he just trolling? Or using some of that ‘magic juju’ to influence reality?

“I wanted Ankalaev to win so he could wait a little longer,” Pereira wrote in an Instagram Story after seeing Rakic and Ankalaev face off. “But I can’t see him beating Rakic.”

According to Ankalaev, that may be the opinion of UFC matchmakers and brass too.

“I think the only reason the UFC put him in front of me is to defend their champion,” he said at the UFC 308 press conference. So we’re gonna go across from him, we’re gonna roll him over, and then we’re gonna move onto the champ.”

He’ll need to do more than win if he wants Pereira next. During fight week media day interviews, Magomed said the UFC ‘basically’ promised him a title shot with a win over Rakic, but ‘it has to be a good fight.’

No pressure!

As for Alex Pereira, maybe he is a bit worried about facing a wrestler as ferocious as Ankalaev. Or maybe he has bigger fights on the horizon. In another Instagram Story he shared a screenshot of a Facetime call with none other than Jon Jones.

“Even Dana White would be curious of what we talked about…” Pereira wrote.