Alex Pereira’s recent domination of Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 has set the stage for a new challenge, as Magomed Ankalaev has stepped into the spotlight with a bold call-out. After his impressive win against Aleksandar Rakić at UFC 308, the Dagestani fighter didn’t hold back, not only targeting Pereira but also dragging Israel Adesanya into the mix.

Ankalaev has previously called out Pereira on social media for allegedly ducking him and this latest challenge reinforces his determination to secure a shot at the title. He’s made it clear that he’s gunning for the Brazilian, and with his recent performance, he’s put the UFC in a tricky position. The promotion now faces the question of whether to grant Ankalaev the opportunity he seeks.

Magomed Ankalaev drags UFC and Adesanya into the Pereira call-out

Magomed Ankalaev has thrown down the gauntlet to Alex Pereira once again, this time with a pointed message on X. He wrote, “@AlexPereiraUFC if this skinny guy can put you to sleep, what do you think I can do to you? Please @MickMaynard2 @DanaWhite, get my next meal ready for me.”  The “skinny guy” he refers to is none other than Israel Adesanya, who famously knocked out Pereira at UFC 287 to regain the middleweight crown in their fabled rivalry.

‘Russian Terror’ didn’t stop at social media; he reiterated his challenge after his unanimous decision victory in Abu Dhabi. During the post-fight press conference, he expressed his frustration, suggesting that Pereira was avoiding him. “Let’s do it: Alex, stop running away from me. I’ve heard he wants to fight during Ramadan. We’re not fighting in Ramadan. So, if he’s ready, we can fight either before or after Ramadan,” the Dagestani fighter stated emphatically.

He also went so far as to declare that the UFC’s top brass was trying to protect the Light heavyweight champion from him. For the unversed, the UFC has been criticized for refusing to pit the Brazilian against a grappler and the true #1 contender in the form of Ankalaev. Many have speculated that Dana White is in no mood to sacrifice his ‘golden goose’ and the incumbent face of the company at the moment. However, it seems like the Dagestani might get his wish after all because UFC might finally be thinking about giving him the opportunity.

Will Magomed Ankalaev fight against Alex Pereira?

As you may have heard, the UFC has revamped its rankings system following Dana White’s dissatisfaction with Khalil Rountree Jr.’s position at #8 in the 205lbs rankings, despite his impressive performance against Alex Pereira at UFC 307. Even though Rountree Jr. lost the fight, his resilience caught the attention of the UFC CEO, prompting a shake-up in the rankings across various weight classes.

Now, Magomed Ankalaev has seized the opportunity, climbing the ranks to become the probable next contender for the light heavyweight title. Meanwhile, Jiri Prochazka has slipped to #2, putting Ankalaev in a prime position to challenge Pereira for the championship. ‘Russian Terror’ is riding high on back-to-back victories and is eager to face Pereira, but the Brazilian has indicated that he’s looking for a break before returning to the octagon. This likely means we won’t see Pereira back until at least March.

With Ankalaev poised and ready, and ‘Poatan’ considering his timeline, the stage is set for an intriguing showdown. Will the UFC push for this title fight, or will Pereira’s break create delays? Share your thoughts in the comments below!