Magomed Ankalaev doubts Alex Pereira accepts August rematch: ‘I have a feeling you don’t want it’
Newly-minted light heavyweight champion, Magomed Ankalaev has claimed he is skeptical about the chances of actually facing former-foe, Alex Pereira as soon as August — revealing he has his reservations about the UFC star’s desire to fight him again.
Ankalaev, who headlined UFC 313 at the beginning of last month, managed to scoop the undisputed light heavyweight crown at the second time of trying, taking on former two-weight champion, Pereira.
And turning in a controversial victory over the Brazilian knockout star, Russian force, Ankalaev managed to emerge with a dubious unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) victory — landing the divisional belt to boot.
Inflicting Pereira’s first loss at the light heavyweight limit to boot, Magomed Ankalaev has claimed he has already been offered a rematch fight with the Sao Paulo finisher as soon as this summer.
Magomed Ankalaev doubts Alex Pereira agrees to August rematch
But on social media this afternoon, the Makhackala native has claimed he is now less than confident Pereira signs on the dotted line to face him in August — despite conceding he likely deserves an immediate shot to regain his prior crown.
“I have a feeling you don’t want the rematch after I agreed to August,” Magomed Ankalaev posted on his official X account.”
However, Ankalaev’s comments come off the back of confirmation from Pereira last month — who confirmed he would be ready, willing and able to face him as soon as the summer in an immediate re-run of their controversial UFC 313 main event tangle.
“Nothing has come to me yet, but August is a good date,” Alex Pereira told Ariel Helwani last month. “As soon as the contract gets in, I’m signing it.”
Engaged in a pair of noteworthy rivalries since his ascension to the throne, one pairing Ankalaev is not entertaining, however, is a title defense against fellow European star, Jiri Prochazka — calling into question the Czech favorite’s title credentials.
