- Magomed Ankalaev claims he could knock Alex Pereira out without taking him down
- The Dagestani fighter believes he is the best opponent for “Poatan” at this point
Magomed Ankalaev has been boasting about being the fighter who could stop Alex Pereira at light heavyweight.
Magomed has made his pitch
After Pereira’s successful title defense against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303, Ankalaev is now yearning to take on the Brazilian. In a series of posts on X, the Dagestani fighter claimed that he could finish “Poatan” without taking him down.
“Guys believe me everyone, I will knock out @AlexPereiraUFC I do not need to take him down, this guy his chin is gone but I know he is very dangerous,” Ankalaev wrote.
Guys believe me everyone, I will knock out @AlexPereiraUFC I do not need to take him down, this guy his chin is gone but I know he is very dangerous
— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) June 30, 2024
The best fight in the division
Ankalaev went on and insists that Pereira is the only fighter in the division that is not scared to face him. Moreover, he thinks “Poatan” is his toughest matchup and vice versa which make it the best fight to make at 205.
“All these guys in the top 5 have been knocked out, I’m the best light heavyweight on the planet none of these guys are on my level and now I get to fight the champion and I believe he is not that scared of me like other ones,” Ankalaev wrote.
All these guys in the Top 5 have been knocked out, I’m the best Light Heavyweight on the planet none of these guys are on my level and now I get to fight the Champion and I believe he is not that scared of me like other ones
— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) June 30, 2024
“2 years ago Alex Pereira was not ready to fight with me but I believe today he is the hardest fight in the division for me and I’m the hardest fight in the division for him,” he added.
2 years ago Alex Perreira was not ready to fight with me but I believe today he is the hardest fight in the division for me and I’m the hardest fight in the division for him
— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) June 30, 2024
Ankalaev also let Pereira know that unlike the others, he doesn’t care when and where.
“Abu Dhabi Saudi Arabia, New York Vegas doesn’t matter anywhere anytime by KO be ready Alex,” he concluded.
Abu Dhabi Saudi Arabia, New York Vegas doesn’t matter anywhere anytime by KO be ready Alex
— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) June 30, 2024
Ankalaev failed to beat Jan Blachowicz in their title fight at UFC 282 as the fight resulted in a split draw. He is coming off a second-round knockout win over Johnny Walker earlier this year.
On the other hand, Pereira is being linked to a move to heavyweight to face Jon Jones. However, Jamahal Hill is also eager to run it back with him soon.
