Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev are set to clash in the highly-anticipated main event of UFC 313. But ahead of their clash, the fight has taken a turn that neither man likely expected. The trash talk, a staple of pre-fight build-ups, has strayed into deeply personal territory. Ankalaev’s recent comments about Pereira’s past with alcohol led to a tense response from the champion.

‘Poatan’, a man who has openly shared his battle with addiction, didn’t see this as just another insult. He saw it as a careless remark that disrespected not just him, but countless others still fighting the same demons. Now, Ankalaev is addressing the controversy. Was it just pre-fight mind games, or is there genuine concern behind his words?

Magomed Ankalaev reveals the real reason behind questionable remarks on Alex Pereira and alcohol 

The tension between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev reached a boiling point when the Russian fighter took a jab at Pereira’s frequent appearances at UFC events. Posting on X, Ankalaev suggested that the champion was more interested in free alcohol and camera time than preparing for their fight. It was the kind of verbal jab expected in the fight game, but for Pereira, it hit differently.

In a video on his YouTube channel, Pereira responded by stating, “I don’t even pay attention to what he says, the thing he said most about was the alcohol, I don’t have that feeling just for me, because I know the pain of the people.”

The Brazilian champion wasn’t just speaking for himself. He was standing up for those struggling, those who, like him, once found themselves trapped in addiction. But was Ankalaev’s intent truly malicious? When pressed about his remarks at the pre-fight press conference, the Russian contender attempted to set the record straight.

Ankalaev clarified through an interpreter, “Yeah, we weren’t trying to make it personal or anything, we were just saying maybe we’re worried about him that he’s kind of all over the place, all these different UFC events and stuff.”

Was he spending too much time outside the gym? Was he truly locked in for this fight? Those were the concerns he claimed to be raising.

He further shared, “Maybe he should have taken it as us being worried about him spending time doing something rather than preparing for the fight. But whichever way he took it, it’s up to him.”

As mentioned above, Pereira has been open about his struggles in his early life. Maybe that’s why when Ankalaev made light of his past, Pereira saw it as more than just trash talk. It probably came off as an insult to everyone who has ever struggled with addiction. As such, in his response, he added, “He is playing with the feelings of the fans, feelings of the people who go through that.”

In the end, when the cage door closes at UFC 313, this may end up being more than a title fight. For Alex Pereira, this might be a chance to prove to yet again that he is more than the struggles he once faced. On the other hand, Ankalaev might end up showing that his words weren’t just talk but a warning of the dangers he poses inside the Octagon. Because if there’s one question hanging over UFC 313, it’s about whether Magomed Ankalaev will choose to use his wrestling skills against ‘Poatan’ or not!

Ankalaev confesses he will be looking for a “finish” no matter where the fight goes against Pereira  

Alex Pereira’s famed left hook has left a trail of knocked out opponents from the kickboxing ring to the UFC Octagon. The champion is currently on a 5-fight win streak, with 4 of those coming via a finish. Standing and trading with him is like playing with fire. But Magomed Ankalaev? He’s not making any promises.

At the pre-fight conference, when asked about his strategy for this fight, he responded by stating, “We’ll come out there in the stand-up, and then we’ll see what happens.”

A vague answer, but perhaps a calculated one. Ankalaev has often been criticized for not fully utilizing his wrestling, even in fights where it seemed like the obvious path to victory. The perfect example being his clash against Jan Blachowicz, where he struggled early before leaning on his grappling in the later rounds.

However, he has made it clear that no matter what approach he utilizes, he doesn’t plan on leaving the fight in the judges’ hands. Ankalaev proclaimed, “I don’t know how many rounds it will go, but from the very first round I will try to find a finish.”

Will he take the perceived ‘smart’ path and use his wrestling? Or will he roll the dice and stand with one of the most dangerous strikers the sport has ever seen?  Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!