Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka saved UFC 303 on short notice, as Conor McGregor had no choice but to pull out of his fight against Michael Chandler, owing to a broken toe. Although the excitement among the fight fans came tumbling down after McGregor’s withdrawal from the fight, many fans appreciated getting to see Pereira defend his belt once more, but this time, against the former light heavyweight champion, Prochazka. The fight indeed garnered quite a bit of attention from the fighting community. Even Magomed Ankalaev, the fighter who previously wanted to face the Brazilian, opened up on the matchup.

Days after Joe Rogan stood against Dana White’s decision to let Pereira vs. Prochazka replace the initially scheduled fight between McGregor and Chandler, Ankalaev threatened both ‘Poatan’ and ‘Denisa’. Let’s see what the Russian mixed martial artist had to say.

Magomed Ankalaev opines on the matchup between Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka

In a recent interview with UFC Russia, Ankalaev revealed that was actually waiting to hear some good news while training for his next fight. Without a doubt, the fighter kept hoping to get a title shot. But the world of mixed martial arts needed to wait for the outcome of the UFC 303 main event first. He said, “I’m training now, waiting for good news. I think we will hear good news soon. I hope there will be a title fight. Pereira and Prochazka should fight and I think after this there will be clarity.”

Not too long ago, Ankalaev called out the man with hands of stone for a long-awaited fight. However, instead of the Russian fighter, ‘Poatan’ decided to have a rematch with Prochazka. Weighing in on the outcome of the fight between Pereira and Prochazka, Ankalaev predicted that if the fight went longer, the Czech fighter would claim victory via decision. But Pereira had the upper hand with his dominating style and urge to finish his fights. He said, “50/50 I think. If the fight lasts to the end then Prochazka can win on points and so, I think Pereira.”

But when the #2 light heavyweight was asked who would he like to fight, he beamed with nothing but confidence. He disclosed that he only wanted a shot at the title, regardless of who his opponent will be. Ankalaev replied, “I don’t care anymore who I will fight with. I want to fight for the belt. And neither one nor the other can’t compete with me.”

While Ankalaev fixed his aim at the UFC LHW championship belt, the fans indeed wished to see him fight the Brazilian fighter. But the famed UFC color commentator had some doubts. 

Joe Rogan disagrees with Dana White’s decision for UFC 303

Talking about the short-notice title fight at UFC 303 on the latest episode of the JRE Fight Companion, Joe Rogan believed that Ankalaev must have received a call from the UFC to take up the fight with Pereira. However, with the fight just a couple of weeks away the Russian probably had to turn down the offer. While it’s true that nobody, including the UFC head honcho himself, likes a boring fight, Rogan opined that there was a fighter who would have been a better opponent for Pereira. 

It was none other than Jan Blachowicz, the former owner of the LHW championship belt. Rogan pointed out that the authorities did not like Blachowicz’s matchup against Ankalaev. Hyping up Blachowicz, Rogan said, “He’s very good. They might have offered him that fight and he might have said no. They might have thought that his fight with Jan Blachowicz was boring. I disagree. I think Jan Blachowicz is a f***ing animal.”

What are your thoughts on Ankalaev’s words about the UFC 303 main event? Do you think Pereira vs. Ankalaev or Blachowicz would have been a better matchup than Pereira vs. Prochazka? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.