Pereira Wants To ‘Shut A Lot Of People Up’ Against Ankalaev

Alex Pereira knows what he wants in the Light Heavyweight line up of contenders.

At UFC 303, Pereira returns to save the day with a big-time main event rematch opposite his fellow striking sensation, Jiri Prochazka, in the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada this weekend (Sat., June 29, 2024). The bout came together on short notice after the original Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler main event fell apart, but all signs were pointing to part two of the Light Heavyweight’s first encounter at UFC 295 in November 2023.

Under normal circumstances, fans expected the possible fresh match up between the surging Russian contender, Magomed Ankalaev, and the champion, Pereira. Instead, Ankalaev has to keep waiting. However, he can now breathe a small sigh of relief after “Poatan” stated he wants the challenge.

“Magomed Ankalaev is a guy I would like to test myself against,” Pereira told Stake. “A lot of people talk about that match up and say that he will submit me really quickly. I would like to shut a lot of those people up and show a lot of my ground game as well. It won’t be an easy fight, but it will be a very interesting fight.’’

Ankalaev, 32, has been all out of luck since his first UFC title shot against the former champion, Jan Blachowicz, at UFC 282 in December 2022. Unfortunately for both men, the vacant title tilt was declared a majority draw, leaving the belt ownerless.

Since the draw, Ankalaev fought Johnny Walker twice with the first ending in a no contest after an illegal knee (watch highlights) before he scored a second round knockout in their rematch in January 2024 (watch highlights).