UFC 313 EXPLODES: Pereira FIGHTS BACK at Ankalaev – “You call me a bug? Then I will CRUSH him under my feet!”
The tension surrounding UFC 313 has reached a boiling point after Alex Pereira gave a spirited response to Magomed Ankalaev’s recent trash talk. The current UFC light heavyweight champion, known for his lethal striking and stoic demeanor, has finally broken his silence after Ankalaev referred to him as a “bug” in a recent interview.

Ankalaev’s disrespectful jab: “He’s nothing but a bug”
Ahead of UFC 313, Magomed Ankalaev, the Russian powerhouse and No. 1 contender in the light heavyweight division, has been vocal about his confidence heading into the fight. In an interview last week, he downplayed Pereira’s skills, going so far as to call him a “bug” that he would “squash with ease.”

“Pereira is nothing more than an insect buzzing around. He has power, but that won’t save him against a complete fighter like me. I will crush him under my feet and take what is mine,” said Ankalaev.

The comment quickly went viral and sparked debates among UFC fans. Some agreed with Ankalaev’s confidence, citing his elite wrestling and dangerous counterpunching, while others saw it as a disrespectful dig at the reigning champion.

Pereira’s ruthless response: “Then I will crush him under my feet”
It wasn’t long before Pereira responded. Known for letting his fists do the talking, the Brazilian knockout artist finally responded to Ankalaev’s jab, and he didn’t hold back.

“You call me an insect? Then I will crush him under my feet. He is making a mistake if he thinks I am just another opponent. He will regret every word inside that cage,” Pereira declared.

Pereira’s response has further ignited excitement ahead of their eagerly awaited clash. His calm yet chilling demeanor sends a clear message: he’s not here to talk, he’s here to destroy.

A clash of styles: power vs. precision

The main event of UFC 313 is shaping up to be a classic striker vs. grappler matchup.

Alex Pereira (10-2): The former middleweight champion has taken the light heavyweight division by storm with his devastating knockout power and surgical precision. His legendary left hook has floored some of the toughest fighters in the sport, and he’s eager to add Ankalaev to that list.
Magomed Ankalaev (18-1-1): The powerful Dagestani is widely regarded as one of the most well-rounded fighters in the division, with elite wrestling, precise counterpunching and steely defense. Many believe their fight will be Pereira’s toughest test yet.
The bad blood between the two has only made this fight all the more important. Pereira is determined to prove he’s the rightful champion, while Ankalaev is out to silence the doubters and finally claim UFC gold after his controversial draw against Jan Blachowicz.

Reaction from UFC fighters and fans

The heated exchange between Pereira and Ankalaev has sent shockwaves through the MMA community. Fighters and analysts have been weighing in, with opinions divided on who will emerge victorious.

✔ Daniel Cormier (former UFC champion): “Ankalaev has the skills to dominate this fight if he fights. But if he holds his own with Pereira, it could be a very quick success.”

✔ Chael Sonnen (MMA analyst): “This is the kind of fight that defines legacies. Pereira’s power versus Ankalaev’s skill set – it’s like a coin flip.”

✔ UFC fans on Twitter: “Pereira will make Ankalaev eat his words. That left hook is no joke!”

The stage is set: UFC 313 will be explosive

With trash talk fueling the fire, tensions at an all-time high and two of the most dangerous light heavyweights on the planet squaring off, UFC 313 is shaping up to be a must-see event.

Will Ankalaev back up his words and dominate Pereira with his wrestling? Or will Pereira deliver another spectacular knockout and silence his doubters?

The answer will come when the cage door closes on fight night. UFC 313 is set to be a fight for the ages.