“Alex Pereira VS me in Abu Dhabi,” wrote Magomed Ankalaev in April 2024 on X. “I will win in the first round by knockout. Dana White, Mick Maynard, the man doesn’t have a chin.” After reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira demolished Jamahal Hill in just one round at UFC 300 last year, the Dagestani 205fer wasted no time calling out the head honcho and the UFC matchmakers, demanding a title shot. However, White shut the door in his face!

Instead, the UFC twice arranged fights for the reigning champ—first against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 in June and later against #7-ranked Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 in October—completely ignoring the Dagestani who was widely considered as the true #1 contender for the gold. After months of anticipation, Dana White finally granted Ankalaev his long-awaited title shot, scheduling it for UFC 313 on March 8 at the T-Mobile Arena. However, the timing of the fight raised concerns, as it falls during Ramadan (February 28 to March 29), a time when Muslim fighters traditionally refrain from competing. This sparked questions about whether the UFC truly valued Ankalaev or if this was yet another obstacle placed in his path.

Despite consistently holding a top billing, many still wonder why the Dagestani had to wait so long for his shot. During a recent interview with MMA Mania, the host asked the title challenger, “Do you think the UFC appreciates you? And were you frustrated by having to fight so many times before getting a title shot?” Ankalaev, measured in his response, remained confident: “I don’t know if they appreciate me yet, but after this fight, they will…You know, it’s not a good thing to fight in Ramadan.”

Now, there are two sides to this development. For the unversed, the upcoming Las Vegas card would mark Ankalaev’s second shot at the 205lbs title. What about the first you ask? Well, his first outing at UFC 282 against Jan Blachowicz for the vacant gold ended in infamy. The duo fought to a split draw and thus the tsunami that arose at 205lbs after Jon Jones’ departure continued to rage.

So much so that the head honcho who is usually known for his “We’ll see this on Tuesday” regarding future matchups announced the next clash for the 205lbs strap between Jamahal Hill and Glover Teixeira during the post-fight presser itself. Talk about pissing off the boss! Moreover, after Pereira’s rise as the top dog, the UFC had good reason to be cautious. This has led to criticism from fans and fighters, with accusations that White and the UFC were protecting their “golden goose.” But why? Well, owing to the Brazilian’s alleged lack of ground game and Ankalaev being a proficient and crafty grappler was presumed to trouble ‘Poatan’ in the wrestling exchanges.

Now, the stage is set. Will Magomed Ankalaev’s well-rounded skill set neutralize Alex Pereira’s striking dominance, or will the physical toll of Ramadan fasting hinder his performance in training camp, jeopardizing his long-awaited title shot?

Dana White addresses criticism as Magomed Ankalaev set to battle Alex Pereira at UFC 313

“We have Ramadan now… All day you have to fast. Training during this time is very hard,” said reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev last year, explaining his decision to decline the historic UFC 300 due to Ramadan. During this period, Muslims around the world fast from dawn until sunset, refraining from eating or drinking. Many devout individuals dedicate this time to spiritual reflection, making it difficult to maintain the rigorous training schedule required for a fight.

However, Magomed Ankalaev is breaking new ground. He is set to become the first Muslim fighter in the UFC to compete during Ramadan. With just a week remaining until his highly anticipated showdown with Alex Pereira, the Dagestani sensation is on the cusp of realizing his long-awaited goal to dethrone ‘Poatan’. While Ankalaev has expressed no issues with the UFC or Dana White, his decision to fight during this period has drawn attention. Critics have raised questions about why Dana White doesn’t want to “spare” Muslim fighters during this sacred period.

In response, at a recent Power Slap competition in Saudi Arabia, a reporter asked White why he doesn’t adjust the fight schedule for this time. White’s response was clear: “Why didn’t I spare him? Well, listen, if you have so many Muslim fighters and none of them will fight during a block of time, what happens when they’re champions? We’ve got a schedule. If you want the opportunity, you’ve got to fight.”

What’s your opinion on the upcoming UFC 313 fight between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev? Why do you think Dana White and the UFC chose to schedule Ankalaev’s fight during Ramadan, especially when other Muslim fighters have opted to delay their bouts during this time? Share your thoughts below.