via Imago
Via Imago
via Imago
Via Imago
At UFC 307 in Salt Lake City’s Delta Center, light heavyweight king Alex Pereira once again proved why he’s considered one of the most lethal strikers in MMA. ‘Poatan’ not only stopped Khalil Rountree Jr. but did so in a bloody fashion that seemed impossible in the initial phase of the fight. However, as always, Pereira showcased his resilience, knocking ‘The War Horse’ out cold. Now, with UFC 307 behind him, an even greater challenge awaits the Brazilian in the form of Dagestani sensation Magomed Ankalaev.
Although Ankalaev had initially opposed the Rountree Jr.-Pereira fight, he surprised fans by wishing for Pereira’s victory before the bout, stating, “I want him to win, so I can face him. I will beat the demon out of him.” Now that the fight is over, Ankalaev has shocked many by claiming, “I will strike” against ‘Poatan’ whenever they collide, rather than relying on his grappling skills.
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However, that seems far away as Pereira revealed today in the post-fight press conference that, after three title defenses in seven months and carrying the whole company on his shoulders, he has requested Dana White for some time off. “I think I deserve some rest after this. I’m not going to say anything about my team and their condition. So now, I think I want to rest my body,” he stated.
Since his debut in the UFC, whether in middleweight or light heavyweight, ‘Poatan’ has put everyone to sleep with his striking. However, all the opponents he faced have primarily been strikers. So when Dana White announced Khalil Rountree Jr. as Pereira’s opponent in August, he overlooked the most suitable matchup for Pereira: Magomed Ankalaev. It seems the consensus is that ‘Poatan’ struggles against wrestlers or grapplers, a fact recently emphasized by Belal Muhammad.
Belal Muhammad has advice for Alex Pereira’s upcoming opponents
UFC head honcho Dana White has faced criticism since earlier this year for not matching light heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev against division king Alex Pereira. ‘Russian Terror’ was previously seen as the most likely challenger for a title shot after ‘Poatan’ successfully defended his title for the second time against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303. Ankalaev, much like Pereira, remains formidable inside and outside the promotion, currently riding a 10-fight winning streak.
However, White poured cold water on the Russian’s aspirations by placing him in an upcoming Abu Dhabi event against Aleksandar Rakić. This decision led to significant backlash from MMA pundits, who accused White of not wanting to throw his “golden goose” to a grappler due to perceived weaknesses. This sentiment was echoed earlier by UFC veteran Daniel Cormier, who claimed, “He can’t wrestle. He does not know how to wrestle.”
This wrestling narrative resurfaced yesterday when Belal Muhammad spoke to Helen Yee on YouTube. When asked how Khalil Rountree Jr. could potentially defeat the unpredictable Alex Pereira, Muhammad suggested, “I would do it if I were coaching Khalil. Um, but if I’m Khalil, his path to victory is wrestling.”
What do you think of Magomed Ankalaev’s remark? Do you believe a wrestler, after dedicating his life to grappling, will solely rely on striking skills against Pereira, or is he just bluffing to create hype for the potential fight? Share your opinion below.
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Debate
Will Magomed Ankalaev's decision to strike against Pereira backfire, or is it a masterstroke?