Alex Pereira has taken to taking part in protection on behalf of the UFC following the announcement of his subsequent title protection.
Within the days previous to UFC 305, UFC CEO Dana White formally introduced UFC 307 on Oct. 5 in Salt Lake Metropolis, with Alex Pereira defending his UFC mild heavyweight championship in the primary occasion in opposition to Khalil Rountree.
The UFC was met with backlash over the number of Rountree because the title challenger. “The Warfare Horse” has gained 5 straight and has Efficiency of the Night time bonuses in three of his final 4 wins. Rountree, nevertheless, is just ranked #8, coming off back-to-back finishes of Chris Daukaus and Anthony Smith.
Many had been as an alternative clamoring and believing that the subsequent challenger can be Magomed Ankalaev, who will as an alternative face Aleksandar Rakić at UFC 308 later that month. The Russian, ranked #2 at mild heavyweight, is coming off an enormous knockout of Johnny Walker from the beginning of 2024.
The choice to choose Rountree over Ankalaev has left many feeling that the UFC and CEO Dana White nonetheless maintain a grudge in opposition to him for the UFC 282 mild heavyweight title battle with Jan Błachowicz that resulted in a draw. That was regardless of many feeling Ankalaev deserved the nod that night time.
In a brand new YouTube video, nevertheless, Pereira claimed that whereas he additionally hoped for a battle with Ankalaev, the Dagestani doesn’t need to battle him.
“I all the time needed to battle in opposition to Ankalaev,” Pereira stated through translation. “I threw that to the group, left it very clear, however Ankalaev didn’t need to battle in opposition to me. I don’t know the rationale — if it was the situation, if he simply didn’t need to.
“He isn’t the champion; he can’t choose something. I feel it’s the chance that exhibits up; he didn’t need it. He has his reasoning. I don’t know what it’s,” Pereira continued. “Got here to let you know guys, I’m not afraid of anybody, and everybody is aware of my historical past.
Alex Pereira Claims Magomed Ankalaev Refused To Struggle Him, Guarantees Putting Warfare With Khalil Rountree
Pereira added that the way in which Ankalaev is performing, in his thoughts, may lead to him not taking the battle with Rakić significantly and costing himself an eventual title shot.
“Ankalaev is speaking about Jiří (Procházka), saying he’s a false fighter, that he isn’t good since he misplaced two occasions to me. Everybody is aware of my story, seen my fights, not simply UFC but additionally in (GLORY) Kickboxing, what I did to my opponents. He takes these two fights to speak dangerous concerning the man. I feel Ankalaev must be very cautious with Rakić. The way in which Ankalaev has been performing his final fights, nobody likes it. Struggle was a tie, everybody noticed it.
“I feel he ought to be careful for Rakić. He’s speaking lots about me, he’s going to knock me out and all that. It’s what he says, however on the time, we’ll see if that’s what it’s. However I feel he ought to be careful with this battle. (It’s a) very harmful battle for him; preserve concentrate on this battle as a result of he’s getting a troublesome opponent.”
Pereira added that regardless of Rountree’s rating, the UFC thinks it’s the perfect matchup stylistically and that he’s assured they are going to placed on an entertaining efficiency.
Pereira, moreover, identified his personal meteoric rise to the highest of the UFC as cause individuals mustn’t rely Rountree out.
“I feel he’s a man displaying work,” Pereira stated. “It’s going to be a very good battle for us each. We each wish to strike. Not simply good for us, however for who’s watching. Like I stated, I assumed it was going to be Ankalaev, however I feel the group sees it as a man who will give a very good battle. They’re doing all this for you guys, to please you guys. Similar approach how I wasn’t ranked. Issues occur very quick; take a look at what you guys get each time I battle.
“So I feel they’re considering the identical factor for Khalil, giving him this chance. Rating doesn’t matter. What issues is the work he has been doing, giving a present. I feel it is going to be a very good battle.”
