With 2024 more than halfway over, top contender Magomed Ankalaev has vowed to knock out UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira before the year is out.
Ankalaev is the only top contender in the division who hasn’t fallen prey to Pereira, who recently defeated former champion Jiri Prochazka for the second time at UFC 303 and is likely to face Ankalaev next.
However, Ankalaev continues to attack Pereira as “Poitan” only asked Anthony Joshua to suggest possible future boxing opponents.
“[Alex
Pereira] “There is a reason why you kept me away and I understand that this is a business,” Ankalaev wrote to X.[In the UFC the] The best thing is to fight the best, and he is the best right now. I’ll keep doing my job and knock him out. [Mick Maynard] [Dana White] There is nothing more wonderful than seeing someone fall asleep.”
@Alex PereiraUFC
They kept me away for a reason, but I understand that this is a business. @ufc The best thing is to fight the best. He is the best right now. I will keep doing my job. I will knock him out. Follow
Dana White
There’s nothing better than seeing someone sleep.
— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM)
July 9, 2024
Ankalaev has always downplayed Pereira’s proven knockout power. Despite being a skilled grappler, Ankalaev is prepared to face Pereira and has vowed to knock out the former GLORY kickboxing champion before the end of the year.
“At the end of the year, he will lie on his back, look at the lights and ask his corner, ‘Are you back in Brazil?'” Ankalaev wrote. “Here’s a promise: I will knock him out.”
Follow
Dana White
I will do the same for Alex. I promise. https://t.co/fz3mBikwfW
— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM)
July 9, 2024
At the end of the year, he’ll be lying on his back looking at the lights and asking his corner, ‘Are you back in Brazil?’ I promise you, I’m going to knock him out.
— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM)
July 9, 2024
Pereira’s win over Prochazka at UFC 303 marked his second successful defense of his light heavyweight title, both times by knockout. “Poitan” has enjoyed an unprecedented rise to stardom, competing in five UFC title fights, with four of those victories coming within the last three years.
Ankalaev, meanwhile, has had to overcome some bad luck recently, despite being unbeaten since a last-minute loss to Paul Craig in his UFC debut in 2018. Ankalaev’s bid for the vacant title ended in a draw with Jan Blachowicz at UFC 282 in December 2022. His next bout against Johnny Walker in October 2023 was unfortunately declared a no contest after the Russian landed a illegal knee. Ankalaev ended his rivalry with a second-round TKO in the rematch in January of this year.
