In a fiery pre-fight statement ahead of UFC 313, light heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev has turned up the heat with a scathing critique of former middleweight champion Alex Pereira. The Russian fighter, who is known for his calm and measured demeanor inside the octagon, has labeled Pereira as a “fake humble boy” and outlined his intentions to put an end to the Brazilian’s dominance in the UFC.
Ankalaev, who has been one of the most dangerous and well-rounded fighters in the light heavyweight division, has now set his sights on Pereira following the Brazilian’s recent success in the UFC. Pereira, a former two-weight Glory kickboxing champion, shocked the world with his knockout victory over Israel Adesanya to claim the UFC middleweight title. While many in the combat sports world have been impressed by Pereira’s rise, Ankalaev has been outspoken in his belief that Pereira’s hype doesn’t match his true abilities in MMA.
In a recent interview, Ankalaev didn’t hold back, stating, “Pereira is just a fake humble boy. He likes to portray himself as humble and respectful, but I don’t buy it. He’s trying to play a game with the public, but I see through it. He’s just trying to build this image while his real persona is something completely different.”
Ankalaev’s comments came as a result of what he perceives as Pereira’s “fake” humility in the lead-up to his fights. Pereira has often been praised for his sportsmanship and demeanor, but Ankalaev believes that the Brazilian is simply using it as a tool to manipulate the public and build his marketability. “I’ve seen fighters like him before,” Ankalaev continued. “He’s just trying to show the world that he’s a nice guy, but deep down, he’s about the fame and glory, not the respect.”
Ankalaev, who has gone undefeated in his last 10 fights, has built a reputation for his dominant performances and versatile skill set. Known for his striking power and technical precision, Ankalaev has been a rising star in the UFC’s light heavyweight division and is now looking to make a statement by taking down one of the most hyped fighters in the sport. “I respect his kickboxing, but this is MMA,” Ankalaev said. “I’m not going to let him play his games inside the octagon. I’m going to expose his weaknesses, and I’m going to make him pay for thinking that he can just come in and dominate everyone.”
The rivalry between Ankalaev and Pereira has been brewing ever since Pereira moved up to the light heavyweight division following his middleweight title win. Fans and pundits alike have been clamoring for a fight between the two, with Ankalaev seeing it as a chance to show that his MMA skills are more than a match for Pereira’s striking pedigree. Despite Pereira’s success in kickboxing, Ankalaev believes that the former champion’s lack of experience in mixed martial arts will be his downfall when facing a well-rounded fighter like himself.
“My goal is to end his dominance,” Ankalaev declared. “He’s been given a lot of credit for his knockout over Adesanya, but let’s not forget that Adesanya is not a fighter with the well-rounded game that I have. I’ll take Pereira to places he’s never been before, and he won’t be able to keep up.”
As UFC 313 draws closer, all eyes will be on the impending clash between Ankalaev and Pereira. The light heavyweight division has become one of the most competitive in recent years, and Ankalaev is determined to prove that he belongs at the top. With Pereira continuing to make waves in the division, this fight has the potential to be one of the most exciting and high-stakes matchups of the year.
Ankalaev’s bold claims and intense preparation have only fueled the anticipation for what promises to be a thrilling fight. Can Pereira continue his rise in the UFC, or will Ankalaev’s strategic mastery and confidence prove too much for the Brazilian? As UFC 313 approaches, the tension between the two fighters continues to build, and it’s clear that this is a rivalry that will capture the attention of fans across the globe.
