It’s MMA, so something can occur, Ali Abdelaziz acknowledged. However absent some fluke, he says the following UFC mild heavyweight title combat is all however locked up.
It’s been the consensus, anyway, that 205-pound champ Alex Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) will tackle Abdelaziz shopper Magomed Ankalaev (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) subsequent, however Pereira has made some intimations that the UFC may need different concepts. And Abdelaziz thinks there is likely to be a little bit gamesmanship happening from the Brazilian.
In that case, it’s for naught, is what the longtime supervisor surmises.
“Alex Pereira can say no matter he needs. That man is such a killer,” Abdelaziz mentioned. “He fought three fights in 167 days. Who am I to say – he can not say no matter he needs? He’s having enjoyable. Ankalaev’s having enjoyable with him. However the one factor that’s going to matter – him and Ankalaev are going to be locked in a cage.
“… Alex Pereira is preventing Magomed Ankalaev subsequent. The UFC – every thing will be maneuvered, get delayed. Within the UFC, the very best combat with the very best. It’s the one promotion on the planet, I can inform you this – in case you hold profitable, you get to combat for a title. There’s not an excessive amount of politics within the UFC.”
The politics bit is likely to be up for debate, however by and huge, the profitable factor usually holds true. And that’s all Ankalaev has achieved, actually, since his UFC debut – a stunner of a submission loss with only one second left in opposition to Paul Craig. However after a nine-fight tear, he acquired a title shot – and a draw with Jan Blachowicz for the vacant belt.
He put himself again in place after a knockout of Johnny Walker and a call over Aleksandar Rakic this previous October, and Abdelaziz mentioned the Russian is assured he can take Pereira out. Pereira, a former middleweight champ, defended his mild heavyweight title thrice in 2024 and have become arguably the UFC’s greatest energetic star.
“I believe this is likely one of the most intriguing fights,” Abdelaziz mentioned. “Ankalaev, what he instructed me, he mentioned, ‘I’m not wrestling with this man. I’m going to point out all people why, if (Israel Adesanya) can knock this man out, Izzy can not even wash my boots in putting. I’m going to knock Alex Pereira out and I’ll get the respect I’ve been deserving for a very long time.’ I consider it’s an extended take a look at to strike with this man and knock him out, however I consider Magomed Ankalaev can do it.”
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