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Magomed Ankalaev eyes title fight with Alex Pereira with UFC Vegas 84 win: ‘No one is more deserving than me’

Former vacant light heavyweight title challenger, Magomed Ankalaev has staked his claim for a another title siege with a…

Former vacant light heavyweight title challenger, Magomed Ankalaev has staked his claim for a another title siege with a victory over Johnny Walker in their UFC Vegas 84 this weekend, claiming no other contender at 205 pounds deserves a shot at championship holder, Alex Pereira more than him.

Ankalaev, the current number three ranked light heavyweight contender, most recently featured on the main card of UFC 294 back in October, fighting to an official ‘No Contest’ against the aforementioned, Walker, after landing an illegal knee in the opening round which left the Brazilian unable to continue.

Magomed Ankalaev eyes Alex Pereira fight after UFC Vegas 84

Returning this weekend in the main event of UFC Vegas 84 in a rematch with Walker, Ankalaev, who fought to a split decision draw with Jan Blachowicz in a vacant title fight back in 2022, has staked his claim for a shot at Pereira’s throne with a win over his compatriot.

“Basically, if I win this fight [against Johnny Walker at UFC Vegas 84], there is nobody else who deserves the title run more than I do,” Magomed Ankalaev told MMA Junkie.

Suffering just a single Octagon loss in the form of a buzzer-beating submission defeat to Paul Craig in his Octagon bow back in 2018, in the time since, Ankalaev has landed notable wins over the likes of Nikita Krylov, as well as former championship challenging trio, Volkan Oezdemir, Thiago Santos, and Anthony Smith.

Winning the vacant light heavyweight crown and adding to prior middleweight divisional success, Sao Paulo knockout artist, Pereira stopped former champion, Jiri Prochazka with a second round TKO last November at Madison Square Garden in the main event of UFC 295.

Pereira has been linked with a massive comeback atop a UFC 300 card in April in recent weeks, however, has yet to officially book his comeback to the Octagon amid links to fights with both Israel Adesanya, and interim heavyweight titleholder, Tom Aspinall.

Who wins in a future title pairing: Alex Pereira or Magomed Ankalaev?

Johnny Walker eyes uFC 300 title fight with Alex Pereira ahead of return: ‘Whatever it takes, I’ll be ready’

Scheduled to make his return to the Octagon next weekend at UFC Vegas 84 – light heavyweight contender, Johnny…

Scheduled to make his return to the Octagon next weekend at UFC Vegas 84 – light heavyweight contender, Johnny Walker has spelled out his plan to fight compatriot, Alex Pereira for divisional gold at UFC 300 in April, by beating Magomed Ankalaev in the pair’s rematch fight.

Walker, the current number seventh ranked light heavyweight contender, has been sidelined from the Octagon since he appeared against former vacant title challenger, Ankalaev back in October at UFC 294, fighting to an eventual opening round ‘No Contest’ after the Russian landed an illegal knee, rendering Walker unable to continue.

The result snapped the Brazilian’s winning streak of three consecutive wins over Ion Cutebala, Paul Craig, and former title challenger, Anthony Smith.

Continually linked with a title fight of some form at UFC 300 in April, Pereira, who clinched vacant gold at UFC 295 last November, has put the brakes on a heavyweight title charge against interim gold holder, Tom Aspinall at the event, however, has vowed to likely make a move to the heavyweight ranks.

Johnny Walker eyes UFC 300 fight with Alex Pereira

And as far as Walker is concerned, should he fellow Brazil require a willing dance partner as soon as UFC 300 in April, he would gladly stand opposite Pereira, once he gets past Ankalaev first and foremost.

“100 percent,” Johnny Walker told The Schmo during a recent interview. “I have some business to deal with [with Magomed Ankalaev] because the last fight was not the way that I expected it to be. I feel him already, I feel everything, I know his power and I have some very big surprise for him. I’m excited for this fight. I can’t wait to put my hands on him and make him pay. It’s gonna be like a little revenge.”

“Maybe me,” Johnny Walker said of a fight with Alex Pereira at UFC 300. “I just have to beat Ankalaev first. Whatever it takes, I’ll be ready.”

Who wins in a future title fight: Alex Pereira or Johnny Walker?

Alex Pereira prefers title fight with Magomed Ankalaev in UFC return: ‘I would have a strategy for him’

Despite the fact he is currently earmarked to defend his light heavyweight crown against former titleholder, Jamahal Hill off…

Despite the fact he is currently earmarked to defend his light heavyweight crown against former titleholder, Jamahal Hill off the back of his vacant title win at UFC 295 earlier this month, Alex Pereira has claimed he would chose to fight Russian contender, Magomed Ankalaev next, viewing the bout as a “tougher” pairing for him.

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion under the banner of the promotion, struck vacant light heavyweight gold at UFC 295 at the beginning of this month, the Brazilian stopped former champion, Jiri Prochazka with a second round TKO win at Madison Square Garden in New York.

And in the immediate aftermath of his victory in ‘The Big Apple’, Pereira was earmarked to fight Dana White’s Contender Series alum, Hill in his first attempted title defense by the promotion’s CEO.

Welcoming a title fight with Hill in his first attempted defense, GLORY Kickboxing Hall of Fame inductee, Pereira described the Illinois native as overconfident.

I think I proved myself in the light heavyweight division, with the fight against Jiri (Prochazka), winning the title, and obviously as well with the fight against Jan Blachowicz,” Alex Pereira said. “If I would compare these three fighters: Jamahal (Hill), Jan, and Jiri, and someone would tell me, like, ‘Hey, choose one you would like to fight.’ I would choose Jamahal because I think he’s a good opponent for me.”

“I think it’s just a little bit over or too much as well looking at my story, my history in kickboxing to say I will stand striking and I will knock him out whatever,” Alex Pereira explained. “Because, finally, all the people are always trying it, and I’m sure he wants to strike but when he sees it’s not working, he will go on the ground as well… I think Jamahal is a good fight for me, and I think he was a little bit over [confident] with his statement.”

Alex Pereira outlines plans for Magomed Ankalaev fight

However, the Brazilian has seemingly switched his focus on his first opponent as king at 205 pounds, calling out Ankalaev, who has a January main event rematch with Pereira’s compatriot, Johnny Walker awaiting him in the new year first and foremost.

“I have heard a lot of people say this, that he [Magaomed Ankalaev] would be a bad matchup for me, I like that,” Alex Pereira said on his YouTube channel. “If there were only two guys available for me today, Hill or Ankalaev, if I had a choose one of them. Thinking like that, Hill would be a better matchup, of course. I’m always thinking about winning. It wouldn’t be a sure thing but it would be better for me.”

“Ankalaev would be more difficult,” Alex Pereira explained. “I think it’s a really good challenge for me. It would be harder, I agree, but I’ve been training hard. I’ve been evolving with each session. I would have a strategy for Ankalaev, too, of course. If I could choose, I’d pick him over Hill.”

Who wins in a future fight for gold: Alex Pereira or Magomed Ankalaev?

Johnny Walker – Magomed ankalaev fight ends in ‘No Contest’ after bizarre call from Doctor – UFC 294 Highlights

Tonight’s main card clash at light heavyweight between Johnny Walker and former title challenger, Magomed Ankalaev has ended in…

Tonight’s main card clash at light heavyweight between Johnny Walker and former title challenger, Magomed Ankalaev has ended in the most bizarre of circumstances, with the bout judged an official ‘No Contest’, after the Octagon-side physician ruled Johnny Walker unable to continue after he received an unintentional illegal knee strike from Ankalaev in their UFC 294 showdown.

Returning to the Octagon for the first time since he fought to a controversial draw result in his vacant light heavyweight title fight with Jan Blachowicz back in December of last year, Russian contender, Ankalaev was almost caught with a jump-knee strike from a possum-playing Walker, resulting in a grappling scramble.

And forcing a stoppage in the action, Ankalaev landed an unintentional knee strike on a downed, Walker, with referee, Dan Movahedi stepping in and separating the duo.

Requiring time to gather himself following the heavy illegal blow, Walker was the subject to a concussion test by the Octagon-side physician, who quickly determined that the Brazilian was unable to continue to fight, after he apparently failed to answer questions regarding the location of their fight, or which round they were currently fighting in.

And as a result, Ankalaev’s return against Walker ends in an official first round ‘No Contest’ — despite the pair’s best efforts to try and fight despite the referee waving off the bout.

Below, catch the highlights from Johnny Walker’s fight with Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 294

Disappointing end to this one.

Ankalaev vs Walker is ruled a No Contest after the ref calls a stop due to an unintentional foul. #UFC294 pic.twitter.com/OmDxbc2W1x

— UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023

Magomed Ankalaev calls for fight with Alex Pereira in division bow: ‘I’ll be more than happy to welcome him’

Recent vacant light heavyweight title challenger, Magomed Anklaev has offered to welcome former UFC middleweight champion, Alex Pereira to the 205lbs weight class for the Brazilian’s much-anticipated first fight in the weight class. Ankalaev, the current #2 ranked light heavyweight contender has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 282 back in December, fighting to an […]

Ankalaev, the current #2 ranked light heavyweight contender has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 282 back in December, fighting to an eventual majority draw against former division champion, Jan Blachowicz in the pair’s vacant title outing.

Surging through light heavyweight contenders en route to his short-notice vacant title fight with Blachowicz, Russian contender, Blachowicz had struck nine consecutive victories before his draw with Smith.

Suffering just a single, buzzer-beating submission loss to Paul Craig during his professional career, Magomed Ankalaev, who boasts an impressive 18-1-1 professional record, has landed notable wins over the likes fo Anthony Smith, Thiago Santos, Volkan Oezdemir, Nikita Krylov, and Ion Cutelaba during his Octagon tenure.

Magomed Ankalaev calls for fight with Alex Pereira in Octagon return

Urged to avoid a fight with Magomed Ankalaev ahead of his light heavyweight division landing by former former two-weight champion, Daniel Cormier recently, Pereira – who has teased news on an impending light heavyweight debut, has now received a call out from the Russian.

“Hey @ufc, I’m hungry give me a (sic) work to do,” Magomed Ankalaev tweeted. “@JanBlachowicz, if you’re ready for another fight, show signs of life! If not, I’ll be more than happy to welcome (Alex) Pereira to the new weight division and show that there are different levels in this game.”

Dropping his undisputed middleweight crown last month, Pereira suffered a thunderous second round KO loss to arch-rival, Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC 287 in Miami, Florida.

A former two-weight champion under the GLORY Kickboxing banner, Pereira had landed the middleweight title with a rallying fifth round standing TKO win over Adesanya back in November of last year at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Alex Pereira urged to avoid Magomed Ankalaev in UFC light heavyweight move: ‘He can wrestle’

Former undisputed UFC middleweight champion, Alex Pereira has been warned about a potential future fight with one-time light heavyweight title challenger, Magomed Ankalaev in his expected 205lbs division move – due to the Russian contender’s wrestling ability. Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion under the banner of the UFC, headlined the promotion’s pay-per-view event earlier […]

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion under the banner of the UFC, headlined the promotion’s pay-per-view event earlier this month against fierce rival, Israel Adesanya – suffering a second round KO loss to the two-time titleholder.

The defeat came as the Brazilian’s first inside the Octagon during his five fight tenure, having previously landed a trio of triumphs over Adesanya over the course of their four fight series in both mixed martial arts and kickboxing competition.

Alex Pereira warned away from division clash with Magomed Ankalaev

Confirming his intentions to make a light heavyweight division move off the back of his stoppage loss to Adesanya, Alex Pereira – a former GLORY Kickboxing champion at that weight division to boot, has been warned away from a potential clash with Ankalaev by former two-weight division champion, Daniel Cormier.

“That’s the matchup that Alex Pereira would want to avoid – I think that’s the only one at 205 [pounds] that you would want to avoid right now, because [Magomed] Ankalaev can wrestle,” Daniel Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “And we saw that in the fight against Jan Blachowicz, where he (Ankalaev) took him down in the last three rounds.”

In terms of other fights at the light heavyweight limit for Pereira, the Sao Paulo knockout artist has been tipped to lay waste to both current champion, Jamahal Hill, and former titleholder, Jiri Prochazka – both with ease to boot.

Last competing at UFC 282 back in December of last year, Ankalaev fought to a majority decision draw against former undisputed light heavyweight champion, Jan Blachowicz in the pair’s vacant division title fight in Las Vegas, Nevada.