Alex Pereira faces pressure as Magomed Ankalaev drops news of accepting next fight

Newly crowned UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev asks Alex Pereira to sign the contract for an immediate rematch.

Alex Pereira faces pressure as Magomed Ankalaev drops news of accepting next fight

Magomed Ankalaev is ready to fight Alex Pereira again (via Imago/X)

Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev went against each other at UFC 313 with the light heavyweight championship on the line. After five rounds of back and forth, the Russian fighter was declared the winner via unanimous decision. However, many fans as well as Pereira didn’t agree to the decision, and demanded an immediate rematch. 

UFC CEO Dana White was not impressed by the fight as he wanted a clear finish and agreed to hold a rematch. While these things take time, it seems like the promotion is fast-forwarding the whole process. In a recent tweet, the newly crowned champion shared the details about the much anticipated developments behind the scenes. 

I have a date and I accepted already, I hope my opponent will accept too. This time there will be no 5 rounds, I don’t get paid by the hour #BigANK

Magomed Ankalaev via X
YouTube video

In their last fight, the Russian landed more significant strikes and nearly knocked out Pereira, showing his power and precision. This time, the champion seems more focused and determined to finish the fight quickly. This would leave no room for another close call. However, the rematch could play out differently, as both fighters have adjusted their strategies and learned from their previous encounter.

One of the biggest reasons for Ankalaev’s success in the striking came due to the fear he instilled with his takedown attempts. Though he failed to take Pereira to the ground, it kept the Brazilian guessing and in a defensive mode. It will be interesting to see how ‘Poatan’ manages to break this strategy in their much anticipated rematch.

Alex Pereira agrees to the rematch against Magomed Ankalaev 

Going into the fight, Alex Pereira was the fan favorite due to his incredible form, having dominated every opponent. He had knocked out all three of his title challengers in 2024, showcasing his devastating power. While his lack of wrestling was an issue, his ungodly knockout power always remained a threat that couldn’t be ignored.

Alex Pereira has agreed to the rematch against Magomed Ankalaev
Alex Pereira has agreed to the rematch against Magomed Ankalaev (via MMA Fighting)

However, during the fight against Magomed Ankalaev, ‘Poatan’ didn’t get an opportunity to land his strikes at all. He even complained about the excessive wrestling and clinching techniques used by the Russian. However, it seems like Pereira is ready to take his revenge and has already responded to the rematch offer. 

Let’s go Ali [Abdelaziz]. Chama.

Alex Pereira via Instagram 

Ankalaev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, is often seen as the mastermind behind the fighter’s tweets, prompting Pereira to target him directly. However, after the fight, the aura of hype and mystery surrounding Pereira has undeniably faded. His dominance is now questioned, and opponents no longer see him as invincible.

Former UFC champion Robert Whittaker recently talked about it on a podcast and suggested Pereira to stop complaining. The middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis also had similar things to say, as he mocked the Brazilian after the loss. It seems like Pereira has the world against him when he steps into the octagon in the rematch.

Can Alex Pereira reclaim his throne?

Recent development suggest that the rematch between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev will take place this year. Going into the rematch, Pereira will have a massive pressure, given his last performance and expectations from fight fans. Though he has proven his wrestling abilities, defending multiple takedowns won’t be an easy task.

Alex Pereira's chances to win in the upcoming rematch
Alex Pereira’s chances to win in the upcoming rematch (via X)

On the other hand, the Russian fighter is ready and his confidence is at an all time high. As many experts have mentioned, he does have more tools to defeat Pereira. While the Brazilian can always pull off a devastating knockout, Ankalaev enters the bout as the betting favorite to retain the title.

Related: Alex Pereira Net Worth, Endorsements, UFC contract, Wife, and House