Alex Pereira defends his UFC gentle heavyweight title subsequent in opposition to Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 on Oct. 5 in Salt Lake Metropolis, and admits he was as shocked as anybody with the reserving.
Pereira stated Saturday morning on his YouTube channel that he requested UFC to e-book him in opposition to Ankalaev after defending his belt in opposition to Jiri Prochazka at UFC 300, however the group finally introduced Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic for UFC 308, scheduled for Oct. 26 in Abu Dhabi. UFC introduced Pereira vs. Rountree days later.
“I’ve at all times needed to combat in opposition to Ankalaev and I’ve made it clear, however Ankalaev didn’t need to combat me,” Pereira stated. “I don’t know the explanation, if it was the situation, if he didn’t need to combat. He isn’t the champion, he can’t decide something. It’s the chance that reveals up and he didn’t need it. He has his reasoning, I don’t know what it’s. However I got here right here to let you know I’m not frightened of anybody. Everybody is aware of my historical past and every thing I’ve completed, not solely in MMA, however in kickboxing as effectively. It’s apparent that I need to combat this man.
“I believe he has made issues tough, however we’ll meet finally.”
Pereira is a embellished kickboxer and sees the narratives being spun that Ankalaev can be a a lot more durable check than Rountree, given his wrestling abilities. Nevertheless, Pereira feels greater than prepared for the duty after coaching alongside Glover Teixeira and his workforce in Danbury.
“My need to combat in opposition to [Ankalaev] and present what I can do, I’ve already stated it right here,” Pereira stated. “I don’t know if I’ll win, I don’t know if I’ll lose. I say that in all my fights. For many who watch me, I’m a sensible man. You possibly can win, you possibly can lose. However I’m right here with the conviction I’ll win this combat, and that’s it. That’s how I believe, and issues have been figuring out. I believe he ought to be careful for Rakic. He’s speaking quite a bit about me, that he’s going to knock me out and all that, however I believe he ought to be careful with this combat. It’s a really harmful combat for him. Keep give attention to this combat, as a result of he’s getting a tricky opponent.”
Pereira, who rose as a star within the UFC in a short while by profitable belts in two completely different weight lessons, admits he “was additionally a bit shocked after they supplied” Rountree as his subsequent challenger and “truthfully thought it will be Ankalaev,” nevertheless it doesn’t matter now.
“Lots of people say he’s ranked No. 8, I don’t know, however they’re saying it tousled the UFC rankings,” Pereira stated, “however I believe he’s exhibiting work and it’s going to be combat for each of us, as we’re each strikers, but in addition for these watching. I assumed it was Ankalaev, however I believe the group sees that he doesn’t ship good fights.
“They’re doing all this for you guys, to please you guys. The identical manner how I wasn’t ranked and issues occurred very quick, have a look at what you guys get every time I combat. So I believe they’re considering the identical factor for Khalil, giving him this chance whatever the rating. I believe it is going to be combat.”
