In the unforgiving landscape of the UFC’s light heavyweight division, a storm is brewing. While 205lbs god-king Alex Pereira has carved through opponents like a Brazilian thunderbolt, one challenger looms in the shadows, hungry for his chance at glory. Enter Magomed Ankalaev, Dagestan’s cold-blooded predator, whose path of destruction has earned him a second dance with destiny at UFC 313.

‘Russian Terror’ has been relentless in his pursuit, his words cutting through the air like Siberian winds as he accuses Pereira of playing cat and mouse. “Ducking” as he calls it has echoed across the MMA community and social media alike. “Brazil, sorry for what I’m gonna do to your boy.” He warned after UFC 312 after Pereira’s footage with former arch-nemesis Israel Adesanya went viral.

In a string of other tweets, the Dagestani made his intentions crystal clear. “@AlexPereiraUFC this guy keep traveling and he forgets he will be fighting for his life on March 8. He will never be the same after this fight @danawhitemark my word.” But for those who know Pereira, they’ve seen this movie before – the champion remains an iceberg of composure, unmoved by the tempest of accusations.

Moreover, there doesn’t seem to be any vital change in Pereira’s iron-clad routine before any fight. The Brazilian native is doing the usual schtick in training as he prepares for his fourth title defense. “I’m training how I always train. Nothing has changed except that he’s left-handed,” the light heavyweight champion told Australian businessman and media personality, Mark Bouris.

Pereira has kept himself busy with other gigs recently, despite having a fight in less than a month. From cornering Sean Strickland at UFC 312 to attending rapper Aubrey ‘Drake’ Graham’s concert – ‘Poatan’ appeared as if he was undermining Ankalaev. Well, it seems to be true because the Brazilian native claimed that he’s not putting too much thought into the worries of fighting the grappling-heavy contender because he’s got help and experience, including his mentor, former champion Glover Teixeira. “I have a lot of experience with grappling as well. I’m not scared. I’m ready to go,” Pereira added.

Moreover, this isn’t the first time Pereira has downplayed the dangers of the Dagestani. The champ told ESPN in January, “Looking at him [Ankalaev], the way that he fights, he’s an ordinary guy. Of course, he has his weapons, he has his dangers, but I’ve been training hard. I’ve evolved a lot, and I’m ready for him.”

However, for the Dagestani, this fight means everything. Interestingly, Pereira has warned Ankalaev to stand firm on his words, “If [Ankalaev] doesn’t back up what he says, people have already seen me making fun of my other opponents. Sometimes I joke and stuff, but this is the guy I’m really going to make fun of.”

While the 205lbs champ claims he isn’t afraid of fighting a guy like Ankalaev, he must keep in mind what happened the last time he took on a fighter with a similar skill set to that of the Dagestan native. The only other fight who troubled Pereira with his wrestling was Jan Blachowicz, whom he defeated by a narrow margin, according to the popular opinion.

Interestingly, Jan Blachowicz, who fought both Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev, has given his take on how he sees this fight going. Let’s take a look at what the former champion had to say.

A common former rival gives his two cents on Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev

Between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev, only the Brazilian star has a win over Jan Blachowicz as the Polish’s clash against the Dagestan native for the vacant 205lbs strap ended in a draw at UFC 282. Nevertheless, the former champion claims Ankalaev is a “good fighter,” but he may need to make some adjustments because, in his last fight against Aleksandar Rakić, Blachowicz suggests making some changes to the title contender’s approach to a fight. After all, it could cost him heavily against Pereira.

“If Ankalaev will fight like last fight with Rakic, he’s going to lose the fight. Ankalaev needs to do something more. … He is a good fighter, but it’s not enough for Pereira in this kind of style. Ankalaev needs to change,” Jan Blachowicz told ‘Home of Fight’.

“He needs to be more – he has to believe in what he’s doing. I think he doesn’t believe. He just wants to win the fight, but don’t take too much punches. He is very careful in this what he’s doing, and I think this kind of way, fighting with Pereira, will not work.”

Well, everything will be crystal clear once Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev find themselves locked inside the Octagon. Who would you put your money on at UFC 313? Drop your comments below.