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

Daniel Cormier Slams UFC: Why Pereira vs. Ankalaev Fight Was Shelved Former two-weight champion, Daniel Cormier has claimed the UFC is likely trying to protect a perceived “golden goose” –…

Former two-weight champion, Daniel Cormier has claimed the UFC is likely trying to protect a perceived “golden goose” – amid the failure to book an undisputed light heavyweight championship fight between Alex Pereira, and surging Russian contender, Magomed Ankalaev.

Pereira, the current undisputed light heavyweight champion and a former undisputed middleweight gold holder, most recently managed to successfully defend his divisional crown at UFC 303 at the end of June, laying waste to another former champion, Jiri Prochazka in the pair’s rematch.

And widely linked with a grudge match title defense against former vacant title challenger, Ankalaev in his return to action – which he hopes occurs later this year, the Russian has already been ruled from the sweepstakes to face the Brazilian.

UFC champ Alex Pereira on battling addiction: 'Sport saved me, Now I want to help others’

Himself set to return in Abu Dhabi at UFC 308 at the end of October, Ankalaev is slated to make his return in a title-eliminator against fellow European talent, Aleksandar Rakic – amid links to a title showdown with Sao Paulo ace, Pereira.

Daniel Cormier claims Alex Pereira is the UFC’s “golden goose”

However, sharing his thoughts on a failed pairing between Pereira and Ankalaev, the above-mentioned Hall of Fame star, Cormier claimed the UFC was likely trying to protect the “golden goose” in the current light heavyweight champion.

Alex Pereira targets UFC 310 return in December for title fight that's a good date for me

“I don’t think you run the risk yet,” Daniel Cormier said on an episode of Good Guy / Bad Guy. “And I’m not saying (Alex) Pereira can’t fight or beat (Magomed) Ankalaev. I just feel like it is a very, very difficult matchup, possibly the hardest matchup for him in the entire light heavyweight division. So, I think he has to wait right, or you get him in there with someone else right now that’s a striker. Because all these strikers he’s just knocking out left and right, and every time he does that, Chael, his star just shines brighter.”

“So, maybe that is what happens for Alex Pereira, but I’m very rarely surprised when fights get announced,” Cormier explained. “But I remember sitting in Manchester and they said UFC 308, and when I saw Rakic taking on Ankalaev, my jaw dropped, I was like, they actually did it. Like sometimes you got to protect the golden goose a little bit. And that’s kind of what it feels like.”

Whittaker On Pereira’s Next Title Defense: ‘UFC Really Don’t Like Ankalaev…’

Magomed Ankalaev was announced to be returning at UFC 308 in October but the opponent had some left scratching their chins. The 32-year old contender is ranked as the #2 in the division behind the former champion and the last man to challenge Alex Pereira for the light heavyweight title, Ji?í Procházka. Though he does […]

Continue Reading Whittaker On Pereira’s Next Title Defense: ‘UFC Really Don’t Like Ankalaev…’ at MMA News.

Magomed Ankalaev was announced to be returning at UFC 308 in October but the opponent had some left scratching their chins.

The 32-year old contender is ranked as the #2 in the division behind the former champion and the last man to challenge Alex Pereira for the light heavyweight title, Ji?í Procházka.

Though he does have a no contest from his first fight with Johnny Walker and a draw against Jan B?achowicz, Ankalaev is undefeated since his UFC debut and has won ten in a row (excluding the two previously mentioned blemishes).

Following his win in a rematch with Walker earlier this year, many expected that Ankalaev would be next the title challenger after Jamahal Hill’s failed attempt to reclaim the belt at UFC 300.

Though it makes sense why Pereira would then instead be booked for a rematch with Procházka on late notice at UFC 303, Ankalaev would surely then be the next one up.

However, he is now set to face Aleksandar Raki?, who is coming off of a loss to Procházka, in Abu Dhabi.

Robert Whittaker Jokes That Magomed Ankalaev May Simply Not Be In The UFC’s Good Books

In a recent episode of his MMArcade Podcast, former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker gave his reaction to this fight being put together.

Whittaker, who will also feature on UFC 308 in a co-main event clash with Khamzat Chimaev over five rounds, was also surprised to see Ankalaev back in action against someone other than Pereira.

He laid out how there are two thought processes behind this fight with one being that “Poatan” has earned a rest and his number one contender would rather be active in the mean time.

Whittaker also laid out how this decision may have been made due to the relationship that Ankalaev currently has with the UFC, which has been rocky to say the least in recent years.

“Pereira deserves a break, he took that second fight with what’s his name and won it in outstanding fashion and then his toe was broken so he deserves a break. I guess I can look at it like… UFC really don’t like Ankalaev. Like when he fought against B?achowicz to that draw, they were just like cross his name out. They’re like yeah, like he didn’t have great rapport after that fight right. So that or it’s exactly as you said, Pereira needs some time out, Ankalaev doesn’t want to sit out forever. Or, bear with me here, they’re prepping him to fight Aspinall.”

Continue Reading Whittaker On Pereira’s Next Title Defense: ‘UFC Really Don’t Like Ankalaev…’ at MMA News.

Magomed Ankalaev misses out on title fight, meets Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308

Former vacant light heavyweight title challenger, Magomed Ankalaev has missed out on his next charge to the divisional crown…

Former vacant light heavyweight title challenger, Magomed Ankalaev has missed out on his next charge to the divisional crown in a grudge fight with Alex Pereira – instead booking a title-eliminator against Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308 in October.

Ankalaev, the current number two ranked light heavyweight challenger, was widely linked with a title grudge matchup against incumbent Brazilian star, Pereira later this annum – following a prior knockout win over compatriot, Johnny Walker back in January in the pair’s main event rematch.

As for Rakic, the Serbian-born contender has been out of action since he featured at UFC 300 back in April, taking on former undisputed champion, Jiri Prochazka. Suffering his second consecutive loss, perennial contender, Rakic was stopped in a stunning second round rallying knockout.

Magomed Ankalaev takes on Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308

dec 10 2022 las vegas nevada usa magomed ankalaev

News of Magomed Ankalaev’s matchup with Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308 was confirmed by UFC CEO, Dana White on social media this evening.”

“#UFC306 October 26th from Fight Island, Abu Dhabi,” White posted.

#UFC308 October 26th from Fight Island, Abu Dhabi!@VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/v7FdlGXQzl

— danawhite (@danawhite) August 3, 2024

Unbeaten in his last twelve consecutive Octagon appearances following a buzzer-beating submission loss to Paul Craig in his UFC debut, before his official ‘No Contest’ against Walker last October, Ankalaev competed for the vacant light heavyweight throne opposite former champion, Jan Blachowicz.

Headlining UFC 282 at the end of 2022 against his fellow European star, Ankalaev fought to a split draw over the course of five rounds.

UFC 308 takes place on October 26. from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE – with an undisputed featherweight championship fight between Ilia Topuria, and Max Holloway set to headline the event.

In the night’s co-headliner, former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker takes on the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev in a rescheduled pairing.

Who wins at UFC 308: Magomed Ankalaev or Aleksandar Rakic?

Magomed Ankalaev Misses Out On Title Shot, Faces Top Contender At UFC 308 Instead

If he’s to earn another opportunity at collecting gold, Magomed Ankalaev must add another win to his unbeaten run at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi. Ankalaev (18-1-1, 1 NC), who currently occupies the #2 spot at 205 pounds, was widely tipped to be next in line for reigning champion Alex Pereira following the Brazilian’s emphatic […]

Continue Reading Magomed Ankalaev Misses Out On Title Shot, Faces Top Contender At UFC 308 Instead at MMA News.

If he’s to earn another opportunity at collecting gold, Magomed Ankalaev must add another win to his unbeaten run at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi.

Ankalaev (18-1-1, 1 NC), who currently occupies the #2 spot at 205 pounds, was widely tipped to be next in line for reigning champion Alex Pereira following the Brazilian’s emphatic defense of his title opposite Ji?í Procházka late last month.

But despite his social media campaigning, the Dagestani will need to make it 13 fights without defeat if he’s to book a long-awaited showdown with “Poatan.”

That was announced on Saturday by UFC CEO Dana White, who revealed a number of major matchups for this year’s Abu Dhabi-held pay-per-view on October 26. Among them is a key light heavyweight battle between Ankalaev and the #5-ranked Aleksandar Raki? (14-4).

#UFC308 October 26th from Fight Island, Abu Dhabi!@VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/v7FdlGXQzl

— danawhite (@danawhite) August 3, 2024

With White’s recent announcement, the current fights expected to take place at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on October 26 are as follows:

Ilia Topuria (C) vs. Max Holloway (featherweight championship main event)
Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev (middleweight co-main event)
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Raki? (light heavyweight)
Lerone Murphy vs. Dan Ige (featherweight)
Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov (heavyweight)
Rinat Fakhretdinov vs. Nursulton Ruziboev (welterweight)
Marcos Rogério de Lima vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu (heavyweight)

Continue Reading Magomed Ankalaev Misses Out On Title Shot, Faces Top Contender At UFC 308 Instead at MMA News.

Magomed Ankalaev Details Past Sparring With Francis Ngannou

UFC light heavyweight contender Magomeod Ankalaev sparred with former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and he detailed those sparring sessions….

UFC light heavyweight contender Magomeod Ankalaev sparred with former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and he detailed those sparring sessions.

Ngannou was known for his KO power, so when Magomed Ankalaev was sparring with him, he knew his wrestling would be key in the training session. Magomed Ankalaev claims Francis Ngannou wanted to drop him but he took him down and was able to hold him there.

“Initially we stood up, and I saw that (Ngannou) wanted to drop me. He was generally aggressive,” Ankalaev told Aslanbek Badaev (via BloodyElbow). “I quickly went to his feet, put him down, and held him. I was waiting for the time to run out so I could say ‘Don’t come near me again’. Then we found out the reason (why he was trying to knock me out). It turns out he is a friend of (Dalcha) Lungiambula whom I had knocked out before.”

After the training sessions, Ankalaev says he and Francis Ngannou ended up talking and were able to settle their differences and become friends.

“And then we talked to him, one might say, we became friends,” Magomed Ankalaev stated.

Magomed Ankalaev eyes Alex Pereira title fight

Magomed Ankalaev is coming off a KO win over Johnny Walker back in January as he’s 1-0-1 and one NC in his last three but he feels like he deserves the next title shot.

If Ankalae does get the next title shot, the Russian is confident he will destroy Alex Pereira as he believes he is the much better MMA fighter.

“I think with his speed he won’t even touch me,” Ankalaev added. “Best what he can get me with is a low kick. I am very confident. I believe I can beat him standing. I guarantee that. As I said in my posts. I can just stand and bang with him. I really want to destroy him, put my hands on him, and show that I am better than him.”

Currently, Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev is not booked but the Russian does appear to be the No. 1 contender at light heavyweight.