UFC mild heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has responded to the critics suggesting he’s ducking prime contender Magomed Ankalaev.
After Pereira (11-2 MMA) efficiently defended the 205lbs title for a second time at UFC 303 in opposition to Jiri Prochazka, most believed that his subsequent challenger would come within the type of Ankalaev (18-1-1 MMA).
The 32-year-old Dagestani is at the moment on an eleven-fight unbeaten streak, together with his lone blemish in that point being a break up draw in opposition to Jan Blachowicz for the vacant mild heavyweight title in December of 2022. Most lately, the Russian demolished Johnny Walker with a brutal KO in the principle occasion of UFC Vegas 84 (see that right here).
Regardless of Ankalaev’s success, followers had been left perplexed after he was booked to combat Aleksandar Rakic on the principle card of UFC 308.
Whereas that information got here as a shock, most followers and analysts had been left shocked when solely days later the promotion introduced that Alex Pereira can be defending his mild heavyweight title in opposition to Khalil Rountree Jr. in the principle occasion of UFC 307 in Salt Lake Metropolis.
Though the No. 8 ranked Rountree at the moment boasts a formidable win streak of his personal, many followers and analysts consider the UFC is “defending their golden goose” by not matching up Alex Pereira in opposition to a adorned wrestler like Magomed Ankalaev.
‘Poatan’ has clearly caught phrase of the criticism and has since responded to these ducking accusations on his YouTube channel.
“I threw that to the group, left it very clear, however Ankalaev didn’t wish to combat in opposition to me. I don’t know the explanation, if it was the situation if he simply didn’t need. He isn’t the champion, (so) he can’t choose something.”
Alex Pereira continued:
“I believe it’s the chance that reveals up, he didn’t need it. He has his reasoning; I don’t know what it’s. I got here to inform you guys, I’m not afraid of anybody, everybody is aware of my historical past and every little thing I’ve performed and who I went in opposition to, not simply in MMA however kickboxing.”
Concluding, the reigning UFC mild heavyweight champion shared:
“I used to be additionally a bit shocked once they supplied (Khalil Rountree Jr.). I actually thought it might be Ankalaev. I believe the group sees it’s a man who will give an excellent combat. They’re doing all this for you guys. The rating doesn’t matter, what issues is the work he has been doing. Once they did it to me (gave me a title shot), I wasn’t ranked, I used to be shortly ranked. They’re doing the identical factor. UFC is considering you guys.”
Whereas many consider that Alex Pereira will make fast work of Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307, there are some predicting that ‘The Battle Horse’ will “run by way of” ‘Poatan’ this October.
