“Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” This is a saying rooted in the art of combat for decades, but sometimes, these words cut deeper than a sword. Just ask Magomed Ankalaev.
The Dagestani fighter is seething after Alex Pereira claimed he turned down a title shot. Ankalaev didn’t mince words in his fiery response on social media.
“@AlexPereiraUFC you are a liar. You said I turned [fight] down against you. @danawhite @Mickmaynard2 never offer me a fight against you. I’m gonna make you eat your word after I handle my business,” said Ankalaev via X.
The light heavyweight division is buzzing with tension. Ankalaev is set to face Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308 in October. Meanwhile, Pereira defends his title against Khalil Rountree at UFC 307. Ankalaev’s frustration is palpable. He’s been knocking on the door of a title shot for a while. Being accused of ducking a fight clearly struck a nerve.
One thing’s for sure – the light heavyweight division is a must-watch right now. With tensions running high, fireworks are guaranteed. As for Pereira, he might want to watch what he says in the future. Ankalaev seems ready to serve up a knuckle sandwich to anyone who crosses him.
Magomed Ankalaev’s Manager Refutes Alex Pereira’s Claims
The renowned manager Ali Abdelaziz recently stepped into the verbal octagon to defend his client, Magomed Ankalaev. The controversy was a claim by the UFC light heavyweight champion in which he had suggested Ankalaev turned down a title fight at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City. But Abdelaziz wasn’t having it.
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The manager took to X to defend his fighter from these accusations. His words were respectful but clear and concise. He labeled Pereira’s recollection of events false.
“I can tell you this is not true at all. I respect the man, but this is not what happened,” said Abdelaziz.
The MMA community has been buzzing with theories about this matchmaking mystery. Why is Pereira facing eighth-ranked Khalil Rountree Jr. instead of second-ranked Magomed Ankalaev? Some whisper that the UFC is protecting its new star. Others believe Ankalaev’s fighting style might be too “boring” for a title bout.
