Magomed Ankalaev’s coach slams Alex Pereira for ‘greasing’ at UFC 313: “Had some substance smeared on him”
Alex Pereira accused of cheating as Magomed Ankalaev's coach makes 'ointment' claim in the wake of UFC 313 PPV main event.
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Magomed Ankalaev’s coach accuses Alex Pereira of greasing (Source: X/IMAGO)
Magomed Ankalaev’s team is accusing Alex Pereira of greasing up for their UFC 313 PPV title bout. Ankalaev outstruck him to become the new UFC 205-pound champ. After a heated build-up to UFC 313, Pereira and Ankalaev made a cordial exit from their PPV title showdown. Nevertheless, this could add a new side to a possible rematch.
Magomed Ankalaev capped off a long journey, ending the light heavyweight battle with scores of 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46. Some fans believe that it was much closer than the scorecards suggest. But what’s funnily odd is that ‘Poatan’ could not muster an anti-southpaw strike but mulled down 12 TD attempts! The champ’s team said the improved TD defense, as such, is due to a gel-like substance.
To be honest, the plan from the beginning was to engage in wrestling — get close, in the clinch, wear him down, …But, when Magomed pushed him to the fence near our corner, it seemed to me that Pereira had some kind of substance smeared on him. If my experience isn’t wrong, that’s what I’d say was the case…The sweat didn’t flow off his body, it gelled up.
Sukhrab Magomedov in an official interview to @ushatayka
“Big Ank’s” head coach, Sukhrab Magomedov, said the newly-minted champ felt like he touched on some sticky, ointment-like stuff. Magomed Ankalaev had previously billed that the ex-champ ran from him the whole fight. A Sambo master and 2016 Akhmat FC Light Heavyweight Grand Prix champ, he still found it tough to pin and clinch-up with Pereira.
Ankalaev seemingly even referenced the UFC 313 ‘Embedded,’ No. 6 vlog, where Pereira was applying some gel-like stuff during the cut to the last 10 pounds. Lubrication was a common trick in the early days of mixed martial arts (MMA), especially in Brazil. The coach even hinted at Glover Teixeira having the prowess to do that.
It wasn’t a problem for Ankalaev to grab and hold on to Pereira. It was just that he couldn’t follow through with the takedown. There were also several times in the fight when Pereira did judo throws, which arguably wouldn’t have been easy if he’d had some oil on his hands.
Hot take: Narrative that Alex Pereira can’t wrestle goes out the window (with the belt) after UFC 313 PPV
Despite the UFC 313 PPV main spot title loss, Chael Sonnen still hopes Alex Pereira can give Jon Jones trouble. This is even despite others saying that he can’t handle the power at 265 pounds. He could not even answer the southpaw stance from Magomed Ankalaev.
Why? Because Sonnen is MMA’s ‘Bad Guy’ and has to instigate red-hot topics others won’t. He also bills so because he still thinks Pereira is uniquely capable of becoming the only three-weight champ in UFC. His 265-pound dreams are done for now, courtesy of Magomed Ankalaev. But ‘Poatan’ did stuff enough with his anti-wrestling, even on feet, along with some proper BJJ grips. Given his power, it did help fend off takedowns despite a 20-pound cut.
You don’t get very far when you start talking about Alex Pereira vs. Jon Jones, …You just don’t get there —because we know that Jon can throw him down and beat him up…Well, you go watch this fight, and you go, ‘Hey, you know what? It turns out that old Alex Pereira isn’t so easy to take down.’ Alex Pereira really showed some stuff. That entire narrative that he can’t wrestle and he can’t defend is now gone. Ankalaev revealed his plan and that was to take him down – his plan failed.
Chael Sonnen via his Official YouTube channel (@ChaelSonnenOfficial)
However, his co-host, Daniel Cormier, disagrees. ‘DC’ knows his way around wrestling at heavy hydration limits. He thought Pereira lacked the strength to counter the grappling threats of the heavyweight fighters .
Now, Sonnen’s views could entirely switch up with the greasing claims. If Ankalaev’s claims prove true, they will add to what could be a wild build-up to an immediate rematch with Pereira. Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira 2 at 205 pounds is already verbally agreed upon. It could take place some time later this year.
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