“I have a video of her attacking me.” Sounds like a courtroom exhibit, right? But no, that’s Alex Pereira talking about his ex, Christine Merle. Their breakup wasn’t just ugly, it was a full-blown saga. And just when you thought the drama had finally died down, Merle is back in the spotlight. This time, though, it’s not about their past. It’s about the reigning 205lbs champs’ future as he looks to register a fourth title defense against Dagestani powerhouse Magomed Ankalaev. Personal life and work, some say you should never mix the two. But in the fight game? The line isn’t just blurred, it’s practically non-existent.

Under the bright spotlights, breakups turn into headlines, social media feuds become front-page drama and former fiancee? Well, sometimes they have unexpected takes on your career. “If he (Ankalaev) strikes with Pereira, I think he will get knocked out. Like the rest of the opponents as well,” said Merle on Fightology, the show she hosts.

Along with dropping her analysis, she had come up with an unexpected proposal. She actually thinks a Pereira loss would be good for the UFC’s light heavyweight division. “It would be good for the division to have a new champion because obviously, Pereira can get the title back, so it would be good for the division,” she reasoned.

Hold on, so she’s hoping Ankalaev wins, just so Poatan can reclaim the belt later? That sounds less like an objective fight breakdown and more like a UFC script in the making. And she didn’t stop there. Merle also wants to see the Brazilian dragged into unfamiliar territory. “I really, really hope he will, just to see a little bit of wrestling as well and not just a striking game.”

Of course, Merle’s comments don’t exist in a vacuum. Her past with Pereira is well-documented, including a public breakup filled with allegations of dishonesty, manipulation, and even physical altercations. The two went from sharing their lives to wiping each other off social media entirely, with the Brazilian even asking fans to “delete her” from their lives. So, is Merle simply offering an unbiased take? Or is this her way of manifesting an L for her ex?

Either way, let’s put the past aside for a moment because if we’re talking about ‘partners’ and predictions, there’s someone else who has a far more relevant take.

What’s the verdict from Alex Pereira’s training partner?

One of Poatan’s actual training partners, Dillon Danis, has been hyping up the champ’s ability and won’t cave to these fight strategies. Yes, that Dillon Danis. The notorious grappler, former Bellator fighter, and Conor McGregor’s longtime sidekick. Love him or hate him, the guy knows his ground game. And he’s convinced Ankalaev is in for a rough night. “Alex is a beast, he’s one of the strongest people I’ve ever felt in my whole life,” ‘Double D’ told Bloody Elbow. “So I’m excited to see him f—ing knock out Ankalaev.” Subtle, right?

‘El Jefe’ went even further. According to him, if the Russian does manage to take Pereira down, he won’t be able to keep him there. “Even if you take him down, good luck trying to hold him! I think he gasses, and I think Alex finishes him by TKO.” Danis has been working with Pereira for a while now, dating back to when the Brazilian was preparing for his move to light heavyweight before UFC 291. The champ himself has spoken highly of his sparring partner, saying, “He’s a different weight, a different size, and a different style as well. But he was doing very well.”

So here’s where we’re at! Alex Pereira’s “former” partner thinks Ankalaev should wrestle him to win. While his “sparring” partner believes that even if Ankalaev does, it won’t matter. And to our benefit, UFC 313 is just hours away from proving one of them right. Merle may have her reasons for wanting Pereira to lose. Danis, well, he’s just happy to see a Dagestani fighter take an L. But in the end, only one opinion really matters, the one Pereira gives with his fists.

What do you think? Will Ankalaev find a way to keep the champ down, or will Pereira make another statement with a highlight-reel knockout? We’re about to find out!