UFC News: Alex Pereira Tells Dana White He Wants “To Fight Sooner” After Rejecting Magomed Ankalaev’s Abu Dhabi Call-Out

Dana White has been open about the lack of the champion’s participation in defending their title according to the community. However, there’s one in the promotion who is just as hungry to fight as old-timers. The light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira does not fret away from challenges. After his successful defense at UFC 300, Pereira came forward to ask for a heavyweight clash at UFC 301 but his team finally quashed it for his much-deserved recovery.

After the victory, one of the contenders for the light heavyweight belt, Magomed Ankalaev took to social media to challenge ‘Poatan’ and called out Dana White for the fight. Initially, Pereira ducked him and in his latest escapade, ‘Poatan’ gave the reason why he is not looking to fight Ankalaev now. Let’s see what the champion had to say.

Alex Pereira clarifies why he rejected a match with Magomed Ankalaev

Alex Pereira is on a mission to break the records. The Brazilian sensation has fought only eight times under the promotion but has already defeated 5 champions and former champions and become a dual-weight champion. ‘Poatan’ is on a dream run and has not shied away from soliciting more fights from the promotion. Nevertheless, is Pereira rushing his luck? It might feel like the champ is pushing himself beyond his levels but the truth is a bit different.

To summarize, Magomed Ankalaev challenged Alex Pereira to a fight at UFC Abu Dhabi but ‘Poatan’ declined the match. Why, you ask? Is he taking a break? Well, nope, Pereira wants to fight sooner and he is not willing to wait for the year to end to fight again. In a conversation with the media, the light heavyweight champ asserted that he is looking at Ankalaev as the potential challenger but he is not willing to wait for him.

“I don’t want to fight at the end of the year, I want to fight sooner, so maybe that shows [Ankalaev] won’t be ready. I don’t know why he said that, this guy is complicated. Honestly, I have to see what’s best. I’m here to fight, but I don’t understand best about other things like where is best [to fight] and where isn’t. If I have to fight there, I will, but if it’s not a date I want, then it’s not best for me. I can say no,” said Pereira in a conversation with the media.

It must be noted that if the UFC finds an opponent for Pereira then he would most likely face him in early November and once again be featured on the promotion’s Madison Square Garden pay-per-view. Further, Pereira is demanding a clash at the heavyweight, and in his latest conversation, he has also given hints about it.

‘Poatan’ states about his gameplan for the future

Alex Pereria might be looking at the triple champ status which is yet to be achieved by any fighter in the UFC. After his successful defense at UFC 300 against Jamahal Hill, ‘Poatan’ took to the mic to ask Dana White for a match at heavyweight during UFC 301, however, his team stated that he might be not ready as his toe is broken. Pereira had a game plan for his next fight but seems like it is no longer feasible.

In his latest take with the media, Alex Pereira clarified about the options. “It’s hard to answer that. I haven’t thought too much about it yet. If it’s a longer period of time, I’d obviously rather defend my belt. If it takes too long and I fight at heavyweight and there are injuries, when am I going to defend my belt? I don’t want to hold up the division. I was imagining the best-case scenario [when I called for a heavyweight fight at UFC 301], but I have two broken toes. Both feet are f*****. It’s complicated. I don’t want to hold up the light heavyweight division. A cool scenario would have been fighting at heavyweight [at UFC 301] and then giving the opportunity to someone to fight for the light heavyweight belt next. I think that would have been cool,” said Pereira. 

It must be noted that Pereira’s plan to fight in the heavyweight division has not been quashed but rather delayed. He is expecting to defend his title one more time before endeavoring inside the dark alleyways of the heavyweight division. What’s your take on Alex Pereira’s plans? State your thoughts in the comments below.