It’s MMA, so something can occur, Ali Abdelaziz acknowledged. However absent some fluke, he says the subsequent UFC gentle heavyweight title combat is all however locked up.
It’s been the consensus, anyway, that 205-pound champ Alex Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) will tackle Abdelaziz shopper Magomed Ankalaev (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) subsequent, however Pereira has made some intimations that the UFC might need different concepts. And Abdelaziz thinks there could be a little bit gamesmanship occurring from the Brazilian.
If that’s the case, it’s for naught, is what the longtime supervisor surmises.
“Alex Pereira can say no matter he needs. That man is such a killer,” Abdelaziz stated. “He fought three fights in 167 days. Who am I to say – he can’t say no matter he needs? He’s having enjoyable. Ankalaev’s having enjoyable with him. However the one factor that’s going to matter – him and Ankalaev are going to be locked in a cage.
“… Alex Pereira is combating Magomed Ankalaev subsequent. The UFC – every part will be maneuvered, get delayed. Within the UFC, the very best combat with the very best. It’s the one promotion on the earth, I can inform you this – for those who preserve successful, you get to combat for a title. There’s not an excessive amount of politics within the UFC.”
The politics bit could be up for debate, however by and huge, the successful factor usually holds true. And that’s all Ankalaev has executed, actually, since his UFC debut – a stunner of a submission loss with only one second left towards Paul Craig. However after a nine-fight tear, he received a title shot – and a draw with Jan Blachowicz for the vacant belt.
He put himself again in place after a knockout of Johnny Walker and a choice over Aleksandar Rakic this previous October, and Abdelaziz stated the Russian is assured he can take Pereira out. Pereira, a former middleweight champ, defended his gentle heavyweight title thrice in 2024 and have become arguably the UFC’s largest energetic star.
“I feel this is likely one of the most intriguing fights,” Abdelaziz stated. “Ankalaev, what he informed me, he stated, ‘I’m not wrestling with this man. I’m going to indicate all people why, if (Israel Adesanya) can knock this man out, Izzy can’t even wash my boots in hanging. I’m going to knock Alex Pereira out and I’ll get the respect I’ve been deserving for a very long time.’ I consider it’s a protracted check to strike with this man and knock him out, however I consider Magomed Ankalaev can do it.”
You’ll want to go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of blended martial arts.
