Magomed Ankalaev isn’t letting Alex Pereira escape his crosshairs! After grinding out a hard-fought victory against ‘Poatan’ at UFC 313, many expected the Dagestani juggernaut to run it back with the Brazilian. The stage? International Fight Week. With rumors surrounding a rematch for UFC 317, the MMA sphere was buzzing with anticipation. But just like that, the dream vanished.

So what happened? Fans assumed redemption was next for the Brazilian. Instead, reports have now emerged that Pereira turned down the rematch. According to a post on X by Ankalaev, “I was offered to fight Alex (Pereira) [during] International fight week. If the man doesn’t want it, let’s move on. I’m ready for everyone. I dare you.”

Whether it’s due to timing, strategy, or something else entirely, the champ-turned-challenger has seemingly stepped away. This means that Ankalaev is left with a belt but no clear dance partner for arguably the most anticipated UFC card of the year. But the Dagestani isn’t one to stay quiet, as he had one more arrow left in his quiver that he fired off at Alex Pereira!

In a recent post on X, Ankalaev wrote, “I hope CHAMA will show up in Abu Dhabi, don’t be scared homie.” Channeling Nick Diaz, the line was vintage trash talk. And veteran MMA journalist Ariel Helwani backed him up as he also wrote on X, “According to what I’m hearing, Magomed Ankalaev was accurate with what he tweeted, the UFC did in fact call Alex Pereira for the rematch with Ankalaev on International Fight Week.”

Now, Magomed Ankalaev has turned his eyes to Abu Dhabi. The message is loud and clear. He wants Pereira. But if Pereira’s out, someone else better step in. Which raises the question, could we see a different name take the stage in the Middle East? Jiri Prochazka, the former champion, made waves with his spectacular KO over Jamahal Hill earlier this year at UFC 311 and is currently ranked No. 2 in the division. His only losses in his past 4 fights? Both to ‘Poatan’.

Then there’s Carlos Ulberg, who is ranked no. 3 in the division. He’s been on a tear recently, claiming wins over names like Jan Blachowicz and Volkan Oezdemir. Either way, Ankalaev is ready to go, and he’s dared any challenger to step up. So, where does this leave Alex Pereira? According to Daniel Cormier, in hot water and not just because of fight negotiations!

Daniel Cormier doubts Alex Pereira’s ‘hacking’ claims as Magomed Ankalaev still waiting for ‘Poatan’ rematch

Alex Pereira raised eyebrows recently after claiming the UFC had “played with” him, only to later backtrack and say his account was “hacked.” Sounds like damage control, right? Well, that’s exactly what Daniel Cormier thinks, too.

Talking to Chael Sonnen on an episode of the ‘Good Guy/Bad Guy’ show, Cormier bluntly stated, “Pereira did not get hacked [on Wednesday]. Pereira might’ve tweeted something, and then somebody called him and was like, ‘Yo, calm down. Let’s chill.”

But why would Pereira lash out in the first place? Cormier has a theory. He pointed to UFC executive Hunter Campbell’s recent trip to Dagestan to meet Islam Makhachev and his team. Cormier thinks that visit wasn’t just about the lightweight champ, it might’ve involved light heavyweight matters too. How?

He further explained, “So my thought is while Hunter was there to meet Islam, guess who else Rizvan Magomedov manages? … he also manages Ankalaev.” The result? A scenario which Cormier prefaced by saying he was just “hoop dreaming”, but Campbell checks in with Makhachev, then asks Ankalaev if he’s available. Ankalaev says yes. Then the UFC contacts Pereira. But maybe the timing wasn’t ideal for ‘Poatan.’

So the UFC moves on. Alex Pereira gets frustrated, and the rest is history.  So what’s really going on behind the scenes? It’s hard to say exactly, but whatever the case may be, Magomed Ankalaev isn’t waiting around.

He’s got his sights set on ‘Poatan’ and with big names like Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg circling the title picture, the Dagestani powerhouse may not be short of challengers for long. The question now becomes, will Alex Pereira accept the Abu Dhabi call-out, or has he already closed the book on the rematch once and for all? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!