Tag: magomed ankalaev

‘They Don’t Want One More Belt To Go To Dagestan’ – Fans React After Highlight Reel Disproves “Poatan” Calling Ankalaev ‘Boring’

The UFC light heavyweight title is on the line this weekend in UFC 307 but to the surprise of some fans, it will not be Magomed Ankalaev serving as the challenger. Instead, Alex Pereira will be defending his title against the #8-ranked Khalil Rountree in a clash of two of the division’s most exciting strikers. […]

Continue Reading ‘They Don’t Want One More Belt To Go To Dagestan’ – Fans React After Highlight Reel Disproves “Poatan” Calling Ankalaev ‘Boring’ at MMA News.

The UFC light heavyweight title is on the line this weekend in UFC 307 but to the surprise of some fans, it will not be Magomed Ankalaev serving as the challenger.

Instead, Alex Pereira will be defending his title against the #8-ranked Khalil Rountree in a clash of two of the division’s most exciting strikers.

Though there’s an argument to be made for Rountree being more active and coming into the fight on a great run of finishes, many expected Ankalaev to be the one standing opposite Pereira at UFC 307.

The #2-ranked contender is unbeaten since his UFC debut back in 2018 but will instead be facing Aleksandar Raki? later this month at UFC 308.

Those who agree with the decision to book Rountree as the next challenger, instead, will often divert to the argument that Ankalaev isn’t the most exciting fighter to watch, a point that Pereira has also made in the past.

MMA Fans React To Magomed Ankalaev’s Underrated UFC Highlight Reel

A video posted on social media showcased some of Ankalaev’s finishes inside the Octagon as proof that he isn’t the boring fighter that Pereira has labelled him as.

For a Russian contender that has a strong grappling game, he isn’t afraid to strike with his opponents and has always been a dangerous fighter on the feet.

In fact, 10 of his 18 wins as a pro are by knockout with 6 coming in the UFC.

The video shows some stellar finishes including his latest win over Johnny Walker and the front kick that he landed against Dalcha Lungiambula back in 2019.

MMA fans reacted to the highlight reel on social media and the mislabeling of Ankalaev’s style as ‘boring’.

“UFC is saving Pereira from Ankalaev .. more like they don’t want one more belt to go Dagestan ..!”

“Honestly ankalaev is far from boring, not sure how that narrative got placed on him”

“Third most KO in LHW history, great striker who refuses to wrestle most of the time. Anyone who says he’s boring is just biased against DGestanis”

“I think when people say boring, they’re referring to his personality. idk”

“People see the beard and assume another Kahbib clone.”

Read also: Chael Sonnen Explains Why Upset Could Be ‘Brewing’ In Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree At UFC 307

Continue Reading ‘They Don’t Want One More Belt To Go To Dagestan’ – Fans React After Highlight Reel Disproves “Poatan” Calling Ankalaev ‘Boring’ at MMA News.

Alex Pereira Rejects Blame For Magomed Ankalaev’s Title Wait: ‘Such A Boring Style Of Fighting…’

When it comes to the promotion’s decision not to grant Magomed Ankalaev a title shot, UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira thinks the Russian only has himself to blame. Pereira is currently in Utah ahead of his third defense of the 205-pound belt, which he captured last November to secure a rapid rise to double-champ […]

Continue Reading Alex Pereira Rejects Blame For Magomed Ankalaev’s Title Wait: ‘Such A Boring Style Of Fighting…’ at MMA News.

When it comes to the promotion’s decision not to grant Magomed Ankalaev a title shot, UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira thinks the Russian only has himself to blame.

Pereira is currently in Utah ahead of his third defense of the 205-pound belt, which he captured last November to secure a rapid rise to double-champ status on MMA’s biggest stage.

Following knockout wins over Jamahal Hill and Ji?í Procházka this year, many expected “Poatan’s” next assignment to be dealing with a new kind of threat — the grappling strength of Ankalaev.

But despite the Makhachkala native sitting at #2 in the rankings and going unbeaten across his last 12 fights, the promotion went in a different direction. At UFC 307 this Saturday night, it will be the #8-ranked Khalil Rountree having his shot at unseating Pereira.

Pereira: Title Shot Snub Entirely Down To Ankalaev

During a recent interview with Kevin Iole, Pereira looked ahead to his third outing in quick succession, which headlines this weekend’s pay-per-view inside Salt Lake City’s Delta Center.

One of the main topics entering fight week remains the promotion’s choice of opposition for the Brazilian ex-kickboxer. “Poatan,” however, believes Ankalaev’s pursuit of blame can go no further than his own doorstep.

“Honestly, it’s not my fault that Ankalaev have such a boring style of fighting that nobody wants to watch, that the guys don’t want to put him in,” Pereira said. “I’m ready to fight the guy. He’s ready to fight me, so whenever they put that fight. People talk about my ground (game), so there’s a good chance I’m going to show everybody.”

Talk of a supposed lackluster style has long been used against Ankalaev during his rise. But having brutally knocked out Johnny Walker this past January, the Dagestani will hope to further dismiss that narrative when he shares the Octagon with Aleksandar Raki? at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi late next month.

Pereira, meanwhile, has frequently expressed a willingness to meet the challenge of Ankalaev. Before potentially focusing on that next, he must avoid the power shots of “The War Horse” on Oct. 5.

Continue Reading Alex Pereira Rejects Blame For Magomed Ankalaev’s Title Wait: ‘Such A Boring Style Of Fighting…’ at MMA News.

Alex Pereira Reiterates Plan For Middleweight Return Post-UFC 307, Magomed Ankalaev Reacts With Anger

It would appear that UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira’s middleweight tease last month was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. Pereira’s first taste of title success on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage came at 185 pounds, where he unseated Israel Adesanya in late 2022. Having fallen short in his first defense, “Poatan” bid farewell to the […]

Continue Reading Alex Pereira Reiterates Plan For Middleweight Return Post-UFC 307, Magomed Ankalaev Reacts With Anger at MMA News.

It would appear that UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira’s middleweight tease last month was not a spur-of-the-moment decision.

Pereira’s first taste of title success on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage came at 185 pounds, where he unseated Israel Adesanya in late 2022. Having fallen short in his first defense, “Poatan” bid farewell to the division and ventured up to 205 pounds.

Since then, the Brazilian has tasted nothing but success, capturing the light heavyweight gold in his sophomore outing in the division last year and recording two successful defenses at the expense of Jamahal Hill and Ji?í Procházka this year.

Pereira’s next task will be dispatching the third challenger to his current reign, with the former Glory Kickboxing champion set to headline UFC 307 in Salt Lake City against Khalil Rountree early next month.

But defeating “The War Horse” isn’t the only thing on Pereira’s mind.

Prior to his next matchup being announced, “Poatan” teased a surprise return to middleweight, calling out champ Dricus Du Plessis in the immediate aftermath of his victory over Adesanya at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia in August.

Despite having business to attend to at light heavyweight for the time being, Pereira recently took to social media to reiterate that he has one eye on the South African, whom he plans on pursuing regardless of the result inside Delta Center on October 5.

“I’m focused on my next fight and I’m going prepared but you never know what can happen, so regardless of the result I want to go down one more time to the middleweight and go for the belt,” Pereira wrote. “Hey Dricus, bring your will to fight me so you can prove that you are better than me, with your public statement it is easy to make this happen, Chama ?”

Ankalaev Slams Pereira In Response To Fresh MW Ambitions: ‘You Are Weak!’

One man who was quick to take aim at Pereira for his callout of Du Plessis last month was Magomed Ankalaev, the current #2-ranked light heavyweight contender.

The Dagestani has been calling for his shot ever since the champ’s quick knockout of Hill at UFC 300. But after being passed up in favor of “BJP” this past July and the lower-ranked Rountree this fall, many have questioned the promotion’s apparent reluctance to grant Ankalaev a shot.

And although it appears that a victory over Aleksandar Raki? at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi late next month would make his claim undeniable, Pereira’s newfound ambitions of a second middleweight reign could present yet another hurdle.

That fact has unsurprisingly frustrated Ankalaev, who took to X shortly after Pereira’s post to brand him “weak” for continuing to avoid him.

“You are so weak @AlexPereiraUFC you only pick on the guys who are in lower division than you and you think you can beat them people are not stupid there is a reason why you are fighting Khalil and not me,” Ankalaev wrote.

For now, both Pereira and Ankalaev have opponents to deal with in October. Should the latter emerge victorious, calls for him to be placed opposite “Poatan” next time out will no doubt only increase.

Continue Reading Alex Pereira Reiterates Plan For Middleweight Return Post-UFC 307, Magomed Ankalaev Reacts With Anger at MMA News.

Magomed Ankalaev Ducked Alex Pereira According to Poatan: “I’m Not Scared Of Anyone”

Alex Pereira Magomed AnkalaevMagomed Ankalaev has been butchering the competition in the UFC’s light heavyweight division, but according to the champion, Alex…

Alex Pereira Magomed Ankalaev

Magomed Ankalaev has been butchering the competition in the UFC’s light heavyweight division, but according to the champion, Alex Pereira, Ankalaev doesn’t want to fight him for the title.

The champion has now been paired with Khalil Rountree Jr., and the duo will fight at UFC 307 on October 5th. This matchup has left some MMA fans scratching their heads because although Rountree is riding an impressive win streak, he is still only #8 in the light heavyweight rankings.

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira would seem like the most sensible matchup on paper, but according to ‘Poatan’, Ankalaev is either unwilling or unable to face him.

Magomed Ankalaev Allegedly doesn’t want to fight Alex Pereira

Speaking in a YouTube video, the UFC’s light heavyweight champion decided to set things straight about his choice of opponent for UFC 307 and why it’s not the man almost everybody believes to be the #1 contender.

“I always wanted to fight against Ankalaev,” Alex Pereira said. “I threw that to the organization (the UFC). Left it very clear. But Ankalaev didn’t want to fight against me. I don’t know the reason. If it was the location, if he just didn’t want to. He isn’t the champion, he can’t pick anything. I think it’s the opportunity that shows up, he didn’t want it.”

“He (Magomed Ankalaev) has his reasoning,” Pereira continued. “I don’t know what it is… I’m not scared of anyone. Everybody knows my history. Everything I’ve done. Who I went against. Not just MMA but also Kickboxing. I’m doing an excellent job. It’s obvious I want to fight this guy. I’m a competitive guy, not just controlling the emotion, but also the reasoning. Training good, learning, evolving every day.”

Some sources have also pointed to visa issues as the main reason Ankalaev turned down the fight. In fact, Ankalaev even responded to this YouTube video by Alex Pereira, claiming that the champion was lying.

What do you think about this situation?

Alex Pereira branded ‘Biggest chicken in the UFC’ for calling out Dricus du Plessis

Alex Pereira branded 'Biggest chicken in the UFC' for calling out Dricus du PlessisUndisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira has received more flak for his call out of current middleweight titleholder, Dricus…

Alex Pereira branded 'Biggest chicken in the UFC' for calling out Dricus du Plessis

Undisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira has received more flak for his call out of current middleweight titleholder, Dricus du Plessis following UFC 305 over the course of the weekend – by his arch-nemesis, Magomed Ankalaev.

Pereira, the current undisputed light heavyweight gold holder, most recently turned in the second successful defense of his divisional crown at UFC 303 at the end of June, laying waste to former champion, Jiri Prochazka with a blistering second round high-kick knockout win.

pereira walk

And booked to make his comeback for a third time this year to boot, Sao Paulo finishing star, Alex Pereira is set to take main event honors at UFC 307 in October, taking on the surging challenger, Khalil Rountree – for which he has already been criticized for. 

Daniel Cormier Slams UFC: Why Pereira vs. Ankalaev Fight Was Shelved

However, following the culmination of UFC 305 over the course of last weekend, in which du Plessis submitted common-opponent, Israel Adesanya with a stunning rear-naked choke success – Pereira boldly vowed to return to middleweight to take him on for gold. 

Alex Pereira labelled “chicken” by Magomed Ankalaev after UFC 305

Reacting to the Brazilian’s calls, the above-mentioned Ankalaev has blasted Pereira for doing so – labelling him a “chicken” – in fact, the biggest of such currently on the UFC’s books.

gettyimages 2159892141 612x612 1 1

“Alex Pereira [is the] biggest chicken in the UFC,” Magomed Ankalaev posted on his official X account. “He call (sic) out guys middleweight he 40 pounds more than them. I am the only guy he doesn’t even mention my name I promise I’m gonna handle my business in October and I’m gonna knock you out under 2 rounds.”

Himself slated to return just two weeks after Pereira’s comeback, Russian contender, Ankalaev most is controversially set to challenge fellow European star, Aleksandar Rakic in a potential title-eliminator on the main card of UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, UAE at the end of the same month. 

Jamahal Hill Claps Back At Magomed Ankalaev Over LHW Title Drama: ‘Bro, You Light Work For Me!’

A lot of MMA fans were surprised to see that Alex Pereira’s next UFC light heavyweight title defense will be against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 in October. Despite Rountree having an impressive run of finishes with back-to-back wins last year, many expected to see Magomed Ankalaev get the next shot at “Poatan”. Instead, […]

Continue Reading Jamahal Hill Claps Back At Magomed Ankalaev Over LHW Title Drama: ‘Bro, You Light Work For Me!’ at MMA News.

A lot of MMA fans were surprised to see that Alex Pereira’s next UFC light heavyweight title defense will be against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 in October.

Despite Rountree having an impressive run of finishes with back-to-back wins last year, many expected to see Magomed Ankalaev get the next shot at “Poatan”.

Instead, Ankalaev will be taking on Aleksandar Raki? at UFC 308 where a win over another top contender will surely see him earn a second shot at the 205-pound title.

He was unsurprisingly critical of the UFC’s decision to book Pereira against Rountree Jr. but some of his comments struck a nerve with another one of the light heavyweight division’s big names.

Jamahal Hill Says He’d Be Willing To Fight Magomed Ankalaev At UFC 308

During a recent YouTube video on his channel, Jamahal Hill gave his reaction to Ankalaev’s comments after the announcement.

Hill believes that Ankalaev has looked to gain popularity from the fans by coming at him to try and win some of them over.

The former champion also referenced how the Dagestani fighter hasn’t always been in the UFC’s good books, believing that he has bitten his tongue this time around rather than publicly slamming the promotion for not booking him as the next title challenger.

“I made a reaction video about the Khalil Rountree and Alex Pereira fight announcement and there was one guy in particular who yeah, I will agree he’s been given the run-around by the business right and I’m assuming now, he’s learned his lesson now to watch his mouth ‘cuz as you know, we talking about Mrs, I ain’t even going to, little ‘Frudamed Gankalaev’, ankle grabber, whatever you want to call him. This dude just can’t stop trying to like clout chase in whatever way he can. bro like, you fought to a draw, you had your chance, you had your chance of winning the title.

“Now, I am one of the people that agree that he should have been next in the title shot above Khalil Rountree, and I spoke on this. But, for you to say like, say I’m crying because I spoke on an obvious fact of the game that affects everybody in our weight class and things like that, I see what you tried to do bro. You see that the whole fan base, they’re kinda against me, they kind of want to throw s*** on me and s*** like that. You think that you can get some cool points by jumping on that bandwagon and trying to call me out. Stop it bro, stop it bro. I would expect a low IQ move like that from you, you know what I mean. You don’t want to say anything about the fight being announced because you’ve now learned your lesson from the time whenever you lost, talking about you don’t want to fight for the UFC…and now they have now smacked your hand and now you know to watch your mouth and stay in check.

Hill ended the video by saying that he would be open to stepping in to face Ankalaev if, for whatever reason, Raki? is unable to compete on October 26 in Abu Dhabi.

“Sweet Dreams” was originally scheduled to make a quick turnaround after losing the title but withdrew from UFC 303 in June due to an injury.

“They don’t even like you enough to let you fight [for the title] over the #8 dude! So chill out bro, chill out tryna get cool points bro, focus on other s***. You got a fight coming up against Raki?, shout out to Raki? cuz’ he’s very well capable of putting your a** out. But, best believe if my phone ring and they need somebody to come step in and handle you, bro you’re light work for me. You’re light work for me and I can’t wait to show that.”

Read also: Dricus Du Plessis’ Coach Offers Alternative To Alex Pereira’s Middleweight Tease: ‘I Won’t Give Him The Joy…’

Continue Reading Jamahal Hill Claps Back At Magomed Ankalaev Over LHW Title Drama: ‘Bro, You Light Work For Me!’ at MMA News.