Magomed Ankalaev Vows to Send Alex Pereira ‘Back to Tire Shop’ After UFC 320 Rematch

The rivalry between Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira is shaping up to be an intense one, as the champion took a shot at Poatan's early life.

Magomed Ankalaev Vows to Send Alex Pereira ‘Back to Tire Shop’ After UFC 320 Rematch

Magomed Ankalaev vows to send Alex Pereira back to the tire shop (via MMA Mania, Playoffs)

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Rivalries in mixed martial arts have always extended beyond the physical battles that take place inside the Octagon. The verbal exchanges, subtle digs, and psychological tactics often set the tone before fighters even step into the cage. However, these comments sometimes go too personal. UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev recently took a jab at UFC 320 opponent Alex Pereira‘s early life.

Before his rise to UFC superstardom, Pereira lived a very different life. Long before championship belts and main-event lights, he worked in a tire shop in Brazil, earning a living through harsh, everyday labor. That chapter of his past has often been referenced as a reminder of how far he has come, from a working-class job to becoming one of the most feared strikers in combat sports.

Ankalaev is set to defend his belt at UFC 320 in a rematch against ‘Poatan’. However, once known for his sober and ‘good guy’ attitude, the Russian champion has embraced his trash-talking abilities. He has used social media to taunt Pereira and recently replied to a post in which the Brazilian was talking about a potential trilogy fight. Ankalaev replied to the post by mocking Pereira’s early career.

You’re right I’m not gonna have any say because you’re gonna be sleeping and on your way working at the tire shop again.

Magomed Ankalaev via X

However, Pereira is not the only fighter to have come from humble beginnings before reaching UFC stardom. There have been many other champions and UFC stars, such as former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, who worked in the sand mines of Cameroon. Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira used to work as a delivery boy before becoming a fan favorite in the UFC.

Ankalaev has built his UFC career on consistency and tactical discipline, steadily climbing the light heavyweight ranks with a blend of precise striking and strong grappling control. His resume includes victories over some of the division’s former top names, such as Anthony Smith and Aleksandar Rakic.

Pereira, on the other hand, has taken a meteoric route to success, capturing titles across two weight classes in record time with his devastating knockout power. He fought names like Israel Adesanya, Jiri Prochazka, and Jamahal Hill. He held the light heavyweight title for almost two years before losing it to Ankalaev at UFC 313.

Ankalaev’s latest remark is part of a calculated effort to control the storyline surrounding his career. Whether it strengthens his psychological edge or adds pressure remains to be seen, but it ensures that when the time comes, the spotlight will be firmly fixed on him.

Magomed Ankalaev remembers his father and early life

Magomed Ankalaev’s journey to becoming one of the UFC’s top light heavyweights has been defined not only by his performances inside the Octagon but also by the hardships he faced outside of it. Among the most significant was the loss of his father while he was still in the ninth grade, a moment that forced him to confront responsibility at an age when most are still finding their way.

Magomed Ankalaev
Magomed Ankalaev (via talkSport)

Reflecting on that period, Ankalaev has acknowledged how difficult it was to cope without his father’s guidance and support. As the eldest in the family, the weight of expectations quickly shifted onto his shoulders, shaping him into the man he would need to become.

That was the most difficult age for me. When you really need father’s support. Since the man is the eldest in the family, it turned out that I was the man.

Magomed Ankalaev via UFC

In many ways, Magomed Ankalaev’s story mirrors the struggles of Alex Pereira, who also endured a difficult path before reaching UFC superstardom. Pereira’s years of working in a tire shop in Brazil serve as a reminder of his own perseverance and rise from humble beginnings. Both men carry the scars of hardship that shaped their character, and it is those shared struggles that add even greater depth to their rivalry.

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