There is no secret that Alex Pereira is the hottest-selling property for UFC right now. And why shouldn’t he be? The man has cleared out two divisions in a span of mere 4 years. He may be the fastest rising superstar after Conor McGregor even in the eyes of the greats like Joe Rogan himself. More so, he has been a champion that Dana White exactly expects one to be like. Pereira has never denied a fight that has been put in front of him, and he is by far the most active current UFC champion. 

The MMA world has always been vocal about Dana White playing favorites when it comes to fighters like ‘Poatan’—the ones who always follow boss’s directives. Similar rumors were on social media lately alleging that ‘Poatan’ played his influence on UFC and Dana White to have his upcoming title bout against Magomed Ankalaev in the month of March, during the period of Ramadan—the time during which most Muslim fighters take a break from fighting and observe Ramadan. 

But soon it was cleared, that for UFC, when it comes to business, they play no favoritism. In an interview with the Russian sports magazine Sport24RU, Ankalaev revealed that ‘Poatan’ had no say in the calendar for their title fight. However, if it was up to him, he would not have taken the fight during Ramadan. The reason why he had to accept the fight was that if it wasn’t for them, the UFC matchmakers would have had no main event for UFC 313. 

Upon asking if the fight during the month of Ramadan is a problem for the Dagestani, he said, “Of course this is a problem, but we had no other choice. The UFC 313 was being left without the main event. And opportunity like this?! We didn’t want to fight this month with Ramadan at all, and it turned out the way it turned out. We couldn’t move it.” 

The Russian reporter trying to find the truth to the rumors then asked, “And it was a condition of Alex Pereira to fight in March or did the UFC just offer it.?” To which he replied, “I think its not his wish. Its the UFC that decided this way. There was no one to fight for the belt in my opinion. I don’t know”

Why is it difficult for fighters to fight during Ramadan?

Most Muslim fighters from the UFC roster don’t take fights during Ramadan. It requires one to fast for the entire month and eat (even drink) only during sunrise and sunset. And while fight camps require regimes (of diet and hydration) to be followed, it is nearly impossible for fighters to abide by two different sets of routines. That is why Ramadan is a time in the year where UFC matchmaking has to be at its absolute best.

Fighters like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, and Khamzat Chimaev have refrained from training or fighting during Ramadan. However, Belal Muhammad doesn’t stop training during the month, and even fought his bout against Vicente Luque, which he lost against in 2016. He also opened up about how he trains during the month, admitting that it’s really hard, but also the fact that it brings out a better version of him. So Ankalaev isn’t the first Muslim fighter who will compete during Ramadan in the UFC.

Magomed Ankalaev has stepped up this time, keeping the needs of his workplace in front of his own. Come Saturday, UFC 313 promises some fireworks with the light heavyweight championship on the line. Alex ‘Poatan’ Pereira will take on Magomed Ankalaev (#1), which is considered to be his toughest matchup so far. How do you think this fight will play out? Let us know in the comments below.