Ankalaev Slams Pereira

After a highly anticipated light heavyweight title clash at UFC 313, the dust may have settled inside the Octagon, but the war of words is just heating up. Russian powerhouse Magomed Ankalaev is not holding back in his criticism of Alex Pereira, accusing the Brazilian of spending the majority of their fight “running for 20 minutes.”

Ankalaev Airs His Frustrations

The fight, which saw Pereira successfully defend his 205-pound championship via unanimous decision, left Ankalaev fuming. Known for his aggressive style and heavy hands, the Russian believed he was robbed of a fair contest due to what he perceives as Pereira’s overly defensive approach.

“This is not how a champion fights. He ran the whole time. Real fighters stand and tradehe avoided the fight for 20 minutes!”

Those were Ankalaev’s harsh words in the post-fight press conference as he vented his frustration about the outcome. The Dagestani fighter, accustomed to gritty wars inside the cage, seemed bewildered by what he deemed a conservative game plan from the reigning champion.

Pereira’s Tactical Chess Match or Just Avoidance?

To Pereira’s credit, his movement and strategic approach were evident throughout the contest. The former kickboxing world champion stuck to an outside striking game, utilizing footwork to avoid Ankalaev’s power and set up precision counters. However, Ankalaev clearly saw this differently, arguing that the fight should be about engagement rather than calculated evasion.

While this has been a common critique of fighters employing a movement-heavy strategythink Israel Adesanya versus Yoel RomeroPereira’s supporters argue that dodging heavy blows and picking smarter shots is part of the game. Still, Ankalaev insists that fans wanted a different kind of fight.

“If you are a champion, you should fight like a champion. Fans paid to see a battle, not a marathon,” Ankalaev added.

A Rivalry Brewing?

This latest clash has certainly added fuel to an already simmering rivalry. While Ankalaev continues to position himself as one of the top contenders in the division, this losshis first in nearly half a decadeputs his title aspirations on pause. However, the Dagestani star is already calling for a rematch, promising that if given another chance, he won’t let Pereira “run” his way to another decision victory.

Pereira, on the other hand, has yet to respond to the accusations, but history suggests he’s unlikely to take the criticism lightly. Whether he chooses to fire back or let his performances do the talking in the cage, remains to be seen.

As the light heavyweight division continues to deliver electrifying matchups, one thing is clearthis feud between Ankalaev and Pereira isn’t over just yet.

What’s Next for Both Fighters?

• For Pereira: With another title defense in the books, the Brazilian champion may have a fresh challenge on the horizon. Could a showdown with rising star Jamahal Hill or former titleholder Jiri Prochazka be next?
• For Ankalaev: The Russian must now reassess his path back to the belt. Does he take another fight, or does he continue to push for an immediate rematch?

One thing is certainif a rematch does happen, expect a whole lot of tension in the lead-up. The story between these two is far from over.

Final Thoughts

As MMA continues to evolve, debates like this remain a crucial talking point in the sport. Is strategic footwork a sign of an elite fighter adapting to their opponent, or is it merely avoiding a fight? Fans will continue to argue, fighters will continue to speak their minds, and as always, the Octagon will be the ultimate judge.

What are your thoughts? Was Pereira’s performance a calculated masterclass or a case of smart evasion? Let us know in the comments!