According to Alex Pereira, he got exactly what he wanted at UFC 313.
On Saturday, it was announced that Pereira will defend his light heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev in the headliner of UFC 313 on March 8th at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Pereira has been accused by his opponents of avoiding the fight, but Pereira insists he wanted to fight the light heavyweight Dagestan.
“I said I wanted to rest, but I started training again. I started feeling better. I started to see my evolution,” Pereira told ESPN through an interpreter. “So I called my manager right away and said, “I want to fight.” I want to fight in March. I want to fight Ankalaev.” I know you say you can fight, but I asked for him. I told them I wanted to fight.”
Ankalaev enters the fight undefeated in 13 UFC contests. The 32-year-old is fresh off a unanimous decision victory over Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308 last October. Ankalaev was considered the No. 1 contender before Pereira faced Khalil Rountree at UFC 307, but “Poitan” doesn’t see the challenger as anything special.
“He’s as dangerous as any other fighter I’ve fought,” Pereira said. “If you look at the way he fights, he’s a normal guy. Of course he has weapons and he’s dangerous, but I’ve been training hard. I’ve evolved a lot and I’m ready for him. It’s done.”
Ankalaev, who was looking forward to his chance to win, issued a warning to Pereira via social media.
“You just [signed] Your death certificate,” Ankalaev wrote. I’ll punish you for deceiving me, and I’ll make you a man. [who works] Not a tire shop [a] professional fighter. ”
Sign the death certificate and I’ll punish you for deceiving me, and I’ll make you look like a guy who works in a tire shop instead of a professional fighter.
— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM)
January 20, 2025
Pereira also came back impressed with his former opponent Jiri Prochaska, who defeated Jamahal Hill by TKO in the third round at UFC 311. Although Pereira has finished him twice, Prochaska has made it clear he wants a trilogy with the Brazilian striker. Pereira is also open to the possibility if the situation is right.
“I’m ready to fight anyone, it doesn’t matter who it is,” Pereira said. “This is Ankalaev’s time. We will fight Ankalaev. But after this fight, [if] Everything is going well, I’m going to give Jiri a chance. That’s what he wants, and he’s going to get it.”
Great performance Jiri, CHAMA
#UFC311
— Alex “Poitan” Pereira (@AlexPereiraUFC)
January 19, 2025
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