‘Poatan’ will be back in action to defend his light-heavyweight belt for the third time this year against Khalil Rountree Jr. at the end of this week. From the start of his MMA career, the Brazilian has been taking on formidable opponents. In a remarkable accomplishment, Alex Pereira became the dual-weight champion in just seven fights. His résumé includes champions like Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, Jamahal Hill, Jan Blachowicz ,and Jiri Prochazka. Despite this, Magomed Ankalaev believes that the undisputed champion is avoiding any confrontation with him.

T͏h͏e ͏͏s͏͏͏aga͏͏ b͏etw͏e͏en͏ P͏e͏reir͏a an͏͏d͏ Ank͏a͏l͏ae͏v bega͏n ͏͏when ͏t͏he l͏͏igh͏t͏͏ ͏heavy͏͏w͏͏eight ͏cha͏m͏p͏͏ion͏ d͏͏efen͏͏ded͏ hi͏͏s ti͏t͏le ͏aga͏ins͏͏t J͏i͏͏ri Pro͏c͏ha͏zka͏ ͏͏a͏t ͏U͏͏͏FC ͏3͏0͏͏3͏ ͏in June. Following ‘Poatan’s win, ͏͏the ͏Da͏ge͏st͏͏͏an͏͏͏i͏ f͏i͏ght͏͏er ex͏p͏resse͏d͏ his͏͏ de͏s͏ir͏e͏ to f͏a͏ce͏ the champ, however, he ͏re͏c͏eived lit͏tle͏͏͏ r͏e͏͏sp͏o͏n͏͏s͏͏͏͏͏e͏͏͏ ͏from t͏͏͏h͏͏e ͏pr͏omot͏͏ion͏. Thi͏s fue͏͏led͏ ͏h͏͏i͏͏s͏ fru͏͏str͏͏͏at͏i͏͏o͏n ͏towar͏͏͏d ͏t͏h͏e͏͏͏͏͏ ch͏ampio͏n, an͏d͏ m͏atters͏ ͏w͏͏ors͏͏e͏͏n͏ed ͏wh͏en U͏F͏͏C 3͏͏0͏7 ͏was ͏hea͏dl͏i͏n͏ed by͏ a͏ ͏f͏ig͏͏͏͏h͏͏t ͏͏be͏͏tw͏ee͏͏n͏͏͏ Pereira ͏͏and Rount͏͏ree.͏

Magomed Ankalaev called out Alex Pereira for his ‘boring’ jibe

Alex Pereira recently sat down with MMA journalist Kevin Lole to have a conversation about the future of MMA as well as his future opponents and amid the conversation, the LHW champion emphasized that he would love to fight Magomed Ankalaev but his boring fighting style is the reason why Dana White doesn’t want him to fight him, “You gotta sort that out with the organization, you know what I mean? So, bro, honestly, it’s not my fault that Ankalaev has such poor style fighting that nobody wants to watch,” said Pereira.

He further added, “I’m ready to fight the guy; he is ready to fight me. So whenever they put that fight together, people talk about my ground, so that’s a good chance for me to go and show everybody.” This confession by the reigning champion has been taken into cognizance by the Dagestani fighter. He later took to his X handle to attack ‘Poatan’s reliability as a fighter.

“Alex have 6 KO in ufc I have 6 KO He know why he’s not fighting me and Fighting the number eight guy let’s be real focus on your fight. I will do the same. We will see after if you will accept good luck, champ,” wrote Ankalaev. The Dagestani is talking about the record of both of them as a fighter. Well, let us have a look at how true is his statement.

Magome͏d ͏Ankalaev ͏ha͏͏s͏ ͏fo͏ugh͏͏t ͏13 t͏imes͏ under the p͏rom͏oti͏on, wi͏nnin͏g ͏10 of ͏those fights͏, with͏ ͏6͏͏ vic͏to͏r͏ie͏͏s ͏comi͏ng by͏͏ ͏knockout.͏ O͏n the oth͏er han͏d͏͏, Alex Pereira ͏͏ha͏s foug͏h͏t 1͏0͏ ti͏͏me͏s under th͏e p͏romot͏i͏͏on, w͏͏inning 9͏ of them, with 7 co͏mi͏ng by knockout. It must be noted that Pereira has fought much tougher opponents than Ankalaev. So, looking at the record, it is evident that ‘Poatan’ has a better track record.

Regardless, ‘Poatan’ is the best-matched opponent for Ankalaev, so does that mean that they will fight each other next? According to Ali Abdelaziz, it is a big yes.

Ali Abdelaziz believes Magomed Ankalaev will fight ‘Poatan’ next

The Dagestani will be fighting in UFC Abu Dhabi against Aleksandar Rakic to set claim for the light heavyweight gold title at UFC 308. According to many, Ankalaev should have fought Alex Pereira, but the UFC appears to have different plans for him. Regardless, Ali Abdelaziz believes that Magomed Ankalaev will be the champion if he fights Alex Pereira and he will prove that when they face each other after dealing with Rakic.

“It’s bulls–t he’s not getting a title shot. ‘He just fought for the title, too.’ This is kind of what the UFC said. But the reality, I believe he’s the best light heavyweight on the planet. I know it, you know it, Dana White knows it, Mick Maynard knows it. Alex Pereira became a big star – you can’t take this away from him. The guy is always game to fight. But every road has an end. Magomed Ankalaev will handle business, Alex Pereira will handle business, and these two guys will fight in 2025,” said Abdelaziz.

Magomed Ankalaev’s last title shot ended up in a draw when he fought Jan Blachowicz back in UFC 282. His victory against Rakic would mean a confirmed title shot by Dana White and co., but will he be able to stop the ‘Rocket’? Well, time will tell, regardless, what’s your take on the hubbub? State your thoughts in the comments below.