magomed ankalaev | UFC Betting Sites - The Best MMA Online Bookies

Aljamain Sterling Predicts The Four Most Likely New UFC Champions In 2025

A lot can change across 12 months in MMA which means that at the start of 2025, it’s time to speculate about what the year has in store for fight fans. Aljamain Sterling did just that via his podcast where he went division by division to pick out names that could become UFC champions by […]

The former UFC bantamweight champion picked out four names contenders who he believes have the potential to dethrone the current titleholders in their respective divisions. He started at flyweight where a recently reported clash for March 1 between the #1 and #6-ranked competitors will likely decide the next opponent for Alexandre Pantoja.

“I can see Manel Kape as 125. Dude, he’s just a super fun fighter to watch. He’s very well-rounded, his ground game might be as good as his standup but he’s very well-rounded. If he can keep the fight standing long enough, he’s clean enough where I think he actually gives Pantoja a run for his money.”

Sterling also named a challenger who has already had his title fight made official for the first PPV card of the year. Though he didn’t necessarily pick Arman Tsarukyan to beat Islam Makhachev in their lightweight title rematch, “Funkmaster” believes that he has a good chance of doing it.

“Arman Tsarukyan I think has a very great potential for an upset in January and that’s just based on how he looked when he fought Islam the first time, how he’s looked over the years, growing, and he was only 22.”

The final two picks on Sterling’s list came down to the two heavyweight weight classes in the sport. If there was a consensus list from the fans, you’d probably expect to see both Magomed Ankalaev and Tom Aspinall make the cut.

Ankalaev is believed to be the toughest test for Alex Pereira and in Aspinall’s case, he might not even get the chance to fight Jon Jones before being promoted to the world champion if there title unification never takes place.

“I could see Ankalaev becoming champ in 2025. I could see that.

“Heavyweight I think Tom Aspinall. I don’t see Jon Jones sticking around much longer. I think he does one more fight whether it’s against Pereira or Tommy Aspinall but I think at some point, Tommy Aspinall will become the undisputed champion.”

Alex Pereira Reveals Magomed Ankalaev Isn’t Getting Next Title Shot, Ankalaev Cries ‘Chicken’

While it’s not clear who he’ll be fighting first in 2025, UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira says it won’t be the man many see as his biggest threat in the division. “Poatan,” a former titleholder at 185 pounds, enjoyed a standout year in the Octagon. After being crowned a two-division king last November, the […]

While it’s not clear who he’ll be fighting first in 2025, UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira says it won’t be the man many see as his biggest threat in the division.

“Poatan,” a former titleholder at 185 pounds, enjoyed a standout year in the Octagon. After being crowned a two-division king last November, the Brazilian successfully defended the 205-pound gold three times in 2024.

Knockout wins over Jamahal Hill, Ji?í Procházka, and Khalil Rountree have left Pereira as a leading candidate for Fighter of the Year. But there remains one point of discussion used by his limited group of detractors.

Even prior to his win over Aleksandar Raki? in October, Ankalaev was seen by many as the most deserving of a title shot. With that not coming to fruition, some concluded that the promotion has been looking to ‘protect’ Pereira from the well-rounded game of the Russian.

And that fire has now had considerable fuel thrown on it.

Despite Ankalaev’s unbeaten run and place on the light heavyweight ladder, Pereira has seemingly heard from the promotion that he won’t be stood opposite the Brazilian next time out.

“It won’t be Ankalaev!” the light heavyweight titleholder wrote on X.

It didn’t take long for a frustrated Ankalaev to appear in the comments section, once again accusing Pereira of deliberately avoiding him by branding the champ a “chicken.”

“Chicken”

With a clash with Ankalaev seemingly out of the running, it remains to be seen what will come next for Pereira.

Given that the Russian sits as the clear top contender at 205 pounds, “Poatan’s” recent post could suggest a much-discussed heavyweight venture in pursuit of historic three-weight glory.

Read More: Dustin Poirier Makes His Pick For 2024 Knockout Of The Year: ‘Never Really Seen Him Rocked’

Alex Pereira Reveals Magomed Ankalaev Isn’t Getting Next Title Shot, Ankalaev Cries ‘Chicken’

While it’s not clear who he’ll be fighting first in 2025, UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira says it won’t be the man many see as his biggest threat in the division.

And that fire has now had considerable fuel thrown on it.

Despite Ankalaev’s unbeaten run and place on the light heavyweight ladder, Pereira has seemingly heard from the promotion that he won’t be stood opposite the Brazilian next time out.

“It won’t be Ankalaev!” the light heavyweight titleholder wrote on X.

It didn’t take long for a frustrated Ankalaev to appear in the comments section, once again accusing Pereira of deliberately avoiding him by branding the champ a “chicken.”

“Chicken”

With a clash with Ankalaev seemingly out of the running, it remains to be seen what will come next for Pereira.

Given that the Russian sits as the clear top contender at 205 pounds, “Poatan’s” recent post could suggest a much-discussed heavyweight venture in pursuit of historic three-weight glory.

Read More: Dustin Poirier Makes His Pick For 2024 Knockout Of The Year: ‘Never Really Seen Him Rocked’

Alex Pereira Claims Next UFC Title Fight Won’t Be Against No. 1 Contender Magomed Ankalaev

Alex Pereira is looking forward to his first title defense of 2024. After a monstrous 2024 that saw him…

Alex Pereira is looking forward to his first title defense of 2024.

After a monstrous 2024 that saw him bag big highlight-reel knockouts over Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka, and Khalil Rountree, ‘Poatan’ is planning to go even bigger in 2025.

Originally, all signs pointed toward Pereira putting his light heavyweight title on the line against top-ranked contender Magomed Ankalaev in the first quarter of the year. However, that may no longer be the case according to the ‘Brazilian Boogeyman.’

Recently, Pereira posted a clip from his fourth-round finish of ‘The War Horse’ at UFC 307. Interestingly, in the caption, he wrote, “It won’t be Ankalaev!” accompanied by a cry laughing emoji on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Alex “Poatan” Pereira (@alexpoatanpereira)

It’s possible that Pereira could be trolling Ankalaev, something he’s been known to do on social media from time to time.

On the other hand, Pereira’s words could be 100% legit considering his targeted return is in March 2025, smack dab in the middle of Ramadan — a holy month in the Islamic calendar that Ankalaev observes every year.

If not magomed ankalaev, then who’s next for alex pereira?

Unfortunately, there are few other options for Pereira at 205. He’s already ran through everyone in the light heavyweight top five aside from Aleksandar Rakic and it’s unlikely ‘Rocket’ would get the nod after coming up short in his last three outings.

Carlos Ulberg already has a bout booked for March against ex-champion Jan Blachowicz.

469825945 9195356430523869 5632454722931075657 n

That just leaves Nikita Krylov, the No. 8 ranked contender in the division.

Krylov is sitting on a three-fight win streak with finishes against Alexander Gustafsson and Ryan Spann, making him the most viable title challenger outside of Ankalaev. Though most fight fans would probably agree that ‘The Miner’ still has some work to do before the UFC could justify giving him a title opportunity.

Jan B?achowicz: Magomed Ankalaev Must ‘Change’ To Have A Chance Of Beating Alex Pereira

Following his win over Aleksandar Raki? at UFC 308 in October, it looks like the next time that we see Magomed Ankalaev, he will finally get his long awaited title shot against Alex Pereira. Many expected that this would be the next test for “Poatan” following his wins over Jamahal Hill and Ji?í Procházka earlier […]

In Abu Dhabi, Ankalaev got his hand raised once again after sticking to his word and beating Raki? over three rounds by only striking with him. The Russian has continued to push the idea that when he eventually faced Pereira, he will do the same and will knockout the kickboxing specialist to win the 205-pound gold.

One fellow top contender who doesn’t think this that applying the same approach is the best idea is the former champion, Jan B?achowicz. In his last outing at UFC 291, “Polish Power” became the closest of anyone to beating Pereira at light heavyweight when he welcomed the former middleweight champion to his new weight class.

B?achowicz came out on the wrong side of a split decision and though he wasn’t able to land a lot of offense, he did have some success with his grappling and once he became tired, he was able to avoid eating anything too damaging from the Brazilian. B?achowicz gave his thoughts on that potential title fight in a recent interview with James Lynch for Home of Fight.

He believes that in order for Ankalaev to leave with the title, he needs to take more risks to really put a stamp on the fight instead of simply trying to win each round without taking damage.

“If Ankalaev will fight like last fight with [Aleksandar] Rakic, he’s going to lose the fight. He needs to do something more. He needs to be like, I don’t know, but – he is good fighter, but it’s not enough for Pereira in this kind of style. He needs to change.

“He needs to be more – he has to believe in that which he’s doing. I think he doesn’t believe. He just wants to win the fight, but don’t take too much punches. He is very careful in this what he’s doing and I think this kind of way, fighting with Pereira, will not work.”

Magomed Ankalaev Picks Khabib Nurmagomedov To Beat Alex Pereira

According to the top-ranked light heavyweight Magomed Ankalaev, the lightweight great Khabib Nurmagomedov would be able to defeat ‘Poatan’…

According to the top-ranked light heavyweight Magomed Ankalaev, the lightweight great Khabib Nurmagomedov would be able to defeat ‘Poatan’ Alex Pereira with his wrestling.

Magomed Ankalaev says Khabib Nurmagomedov Beats Alex Pereira

Magomed Ankalaev is a Russian-Dagestani mixed martial artist currently competing in the UFC’s Light Heavyweight division and has long been waiting to get a title shot against the Brazilian knockout machine Alex Pereira. He began his career in amateur MMA and combat sambo, winning several championships before turning pro in 2014.

Alex Pereira is currently listed as a slight underdog in a potential future UFC bout against Magomed Ankalaev. Pereira, the light heavyweight champion, opened with odds of +120, while Ankalaev is favored at -140. Oddsmakers seem to favor Ankalaev’s wrestling background as a potential advantage in this matchup. Check out more info at bet777 right here.

Khabib Nurmagomedov is a retired Russian-Dagestani MMA fighter who is considered one of the all-time greats in sport having retired with a perfect 29-0 record. Nurmagomedov’s fighting style was distinguished by his exceptional wrestling and grappling skills, which he developed through his background in sambo. The Eagle’ as a coach has created several world champions such as Usman Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, and Belal Muhammad, among others.

Brazil’s Alex Pereira is a former two-division kickboxing world champion who transitioned to MMA and has been able to pick up middleweight and light heavyweight titles in the UFC. He is feared for his thunderous punching power. Beginning his venture into MMA quite late in his life, it is believed that his wrestling is lacking however very few fighters have succeeded in taking him down so it remains a question.

Magomed Ankalaev explained in an interview with Islam Babadzhanov that Khabib Nurmagomedov could likely defeat Alex Pereira as ‘Poatan’ lacks wrestling. He explained:

“I’ve never wrestled with Khabib, I’ve not faced him, so it’s hard to answer that question. Pereira, I think if anyone who, Khabib, if he takes him down, I think, he’ll finish it. Why? Because Pereira doesn’t have wrestling. He doesn’t know how to get up. And he also hasn’t been in hard fights where wrestling is present.”

Dagestan’s Ankalaev has remained unbeaten since his singular MMA career loss in 2018. Since then, he has defeated notable fighters including Nikita Krylov, Volkan Oezdemir, Thiago Santos, Anthony Smith, Johnny Walker, and, most recently, Aleksandar Raki?.

Dagestan’s Magomed Ankalaev has a bone to pick with Pereira and is hoping to get a shot at the throne in 2025. He sees wrestling as a major disadvantage for the knockout striker. Ankalaev’s assessment highlights the classic striker vs. grappler matchup in MMA. Despite Pereira’s formidable striking ability, Ankalaev believes Khabib Nurmagomedov’s world-class wrestling would be the deciding factor. Even at a higher weight class, Nurmagomedov’s grappling could potentially neutralize Pereira’s knockout power.