“Who got power now?” – Magomed Ankalaev has snarky message to Alex Pereira and haters after UFC 313

Magomed Ankalaev shuts down Alex Pereira for the UFC light heavyweight strap, touts better power after UFC 313 PPV headliner.

“Who got power now?” – Magomed Ankalaev has snarky message to Alex Pereira and haters after UFC 313

Magomed Ankalaev patiently outworked Alex Pereira at UFC 313 (Source: UFC News (@UFCNews) / X)

Magomed Ankalaev finally reached his destiny, and snagged the UFC light heavyweight gold over Alex Pereira. There was much doubt and conversation in the UFC 313 PPV lead-up about whether he could match Pereira’s power. Now, the newly minted UFC 205-pound champion has words for his retractors.

Magomed Ankalaev swept out “Poatan” for a UD decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47) to bag gold at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Despite running through the likes of Jamhal Hill, Jiri Prochazka (X2), and Khalil Rountree Jr., the former champ could not muster a similar offense. Now, the new champion hits back and touts his own power after his win.

Who got power now thank you for all my haters you motivate me.

Magomed Ankalaev via X (@AnkalaevM)
YouTube video

The caption went along with a video of his pressuring Pereira to the fences. Alex Pereira also entered a +/-2-0 against dedicated competition southpaws and was extremely hesitant to land. His left shovel-hook, overhooks, and separations (against Hil at UFC 300) or range kick (that downed Prochazka) could have changed the course. But Ankalaev put Poatan on the back foot like never before.

FS Video
Magomed Ankalaev taunts and touts more striking power over Alex Pereira
Magomed Ankalaev taunts and touts more striking power over Alex Pereira (Source: X/agfight)

After obscuring his jabs, Ankalaev even stunned him hard in the final seconds of the second round, proving that he is as much of a striker with power as the stone-hand Pereira. Moreover, the new champ is ready to give ‘Poatan’ another chance in a title rematch but in different conditions.

Magomed Ankalaev dumbs down opponents’ fame as striker, wants more out of him in rematch

With the win at UFC 313: Pereira vs. Ankalaev PPV feature main event, Ankalaev advances to 12-1-1 with a lone no contest in 14 outings. Meanwhile, Alex Pereira’s triple-KO defenses and five-fight win streak were snapped by the new guard. This is his first loss at light heavyweight, which has been hard to digest.

Magomed Ankalaev open to a rematch, but hoping better performance from Alex Pereira
Magomed Ankalaev open to a rematch, but hoping better performance from Alex Pereira (Source: X)

The PPV headliner was a closely contested striking clinic. While it was dominant, it was not the Poatan kind of dominant. Hence, Pereira later said the challenger put him against the fence and teed away without any big damage. Post-fight, Magomed Ankalaev scoffed away such claims, saying Pereira didn’t shoot many shots either. He is ready to give him a crack back at gold, but only if he lives up to be the ‘better’ striker.

To that point, though, Ankalaev might have other dance partners in the near future after UFC 313. For now, given the lack of top contenders, Pereira still has ample momentum and can bank on being a recent title challenger for a rematch. UFC CEO Dana White said the UFC 313 main event wasn’t as flashy as he had hoped it would be. But that did not deter him from saying that a rematch might just be next.

Related: Magomed Ankalaev turns heel at UFC 313 presser; vows to end ‘Chama Time’ for Alex Pereira