When Alex Pereira decided to take on Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 fans expected nothing but war. However, at the end it turned out to be a tactical brilliance from the 32-year-old fighter. ‘Russian Terror’ started the fight very carefully and had to deal with Pereira’s consistent low kicks and landed 11 out of his 14 kicks. But as the fight progressed, Ankalaev showcased a variety of skills which hindered Pereira from landing his usual strikes. However, Ankalaev showcased resilience, absorbing the damage and adapting his approach.

Pereira for the first time struggled to find openings to deploy his signature strikes, which made it easier for the 32-year-old to manage his distance. The Russian’s tactical clinching and counterattacks disrupted Pereira’s rhythm, forcing him to fight off the back foot and limiting his effectiveness. Despite a valiant effort in the final round, including a head kick that momentarily shifted the crowd’s energy, Pereira couldn’t overcome Ankalaev’s dominance. Even before the fight, many experts felt that Ankalaev might just be the toughest challenge for the Brazilian. At the end it did turn out to be like that.

UFC CEO Dana White was also quite shocked with the way the fight went. During the post-fight press conference he shared his honest opinion on the fight and said, ” Yeah, it was not what I expected. Expected a lot more shooting. A lot more exchanges.” The 57-year-old then pointed out that going by the way the fight happened, fans can expect an immediate rematch. On being asked about whether he fancies an immediate rematch, White said, “Probably.” 

Ankalaev’s victory not only crowned him as the new light heavyweight champion but also underscored his strategic acumen and adaptability inside the Octagon. The bout at UFC 313 showcased Ankalaev’s emergence as a formidable force in the light heavyweight division, while also highlighting the ever-evolving dynamics of mixed martial arts competition. ‘Russian Terror’ always believed that he had what it takes to beat Pereira. He now believes that he could have also beaten Jon Jones during his light heavyweight days.

Ankalaev feels he could have beaten Jon Jones if he stayed at light heavyweight

Magomed Ankalaev is riding high after his triumphant performance at UFC 313. The Dagestani powerhouse did what many thought was impossible—he handed Alex Pereira a decisive defeat, controlling the fight and winning the majority of the rounds. This victory, in just his second shot at UFC gold, solidified his place atop the light heavyweight division. Following his dominant display, Ankalaev faced the media at the post-fight press conference. Among the many questions thrown his way, one stood out—a reporter asked him about a potential showdown with one of the greatest light heavyweights in history, Jon Jones, who now reigns as the UFC’s heavyweight champion.

Ankalaev didn’t shy away from the question. In fact, the Russian standout exuded confidence, making it clear that if Jon Jones were still competing at 205 pounds during his reign, he firmly believed he had the skill set to dethrone him. During the post-fight press conference he said, “I think I could. Back then, if I was fighting in the same time as Jon Jones, I don’t see why not,”. It’s certainly a bold statement, but as the reigning champion, Ankalaev has every reason to back himself. With his dominant performance at UFC 313, he may just insert himself into the conversation for a potential showdown with Jon Jones—possibly even taking the spot originally eyed for Alex Pereira in what many have called a legacy fight for ‘Bones.’

What do you think about Magomed Ankalaev’s latest performance at UFC 313? Will he get a rematch as pointed out by the UFC CEO during the press conference? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.