There have been quite a lot of curious appears when it was introduced that mild heavyweight champion Alex Pereira would defend his title subsequent towards Khalil Rountree at UFC 307.
The idea was Magomed Ankalaev was the clear reduce No. 1 contender at 205 kilos however he ended up booked towards Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308 as a substitute. As disappointing because it was for the Russian at the moment driving a 12-fight unbeaten streak to get that information, his supervisor has been assured that yet another win will get him an opportunity at changing into UFC champion.
“Pay attention, I’m glad for Khalil,” Ankalaev’s supervisor Ali Abdelaziz informed MMA Preventing. “It’s humorous how Magomed Ankalaev is now rooting for Alex Pereira. On the finish of the day, it’s the UFC’s choice. It wasn’t my choice. It wasn’t Ankalaev’s choice. However I do know I’ve been informed, Ankalaev do what he has to do, Alex Pereira do what he has to do, and each of them will struggle subsequent.
“I don’t suppose Alex is ducking him. I feel it’s the UFC’s choice. I don’t suppose Alex is the man ducking individuals. I’ve respect for him and his staff. He simply grew to become a giant star and [the UFC] is aware of, you already know, the followers know, Magomed Ankalaev is the toughest and hardest struggle for Alex Pereira. Let’s be actual. It’s OK. As a result of should you’re the most effective on the planet, if you’d like us to beat Rakic, we’ll beat Rakic. Now [Pereira] has do his job and beat Khalil Rountree. It’s not a straightforward job. I don’t suppose it’s a straightforward struggle. Magomed Ankalaev has to beat Rakic and these two guys will struggle and folks will get the most effective two mild heavyweights on the planet proper now. No. 1, Magomed Ankalaev, No. 2 is Alex Pereira. That is my opinion.”
Main into UFC 307 struggle week, Pereira teased his curiosity in doubtlessly returning to his previous stomping grounds at middleweight with hopes that he might problem present champion Dricus du Plessis. There’s additionally been talks about Pereira presumably testing himself at heavyweight sooner or later towards names like Tom Aspinall or perhaps even Jon Jones.
Whereas he initially spurred on these rumors, Pereira truly shut down talks about altering weight courses on Wednesday when requested about his plans after UFC 307.
“I might select to defend my belt,” Pereira mentioned throughout media day. “As a result of it takes a deliberate work to chop down in weight, and it takes deliberate work to maneuver up as properly, nevertheless it’s good for this division.”
That’s precisely what Ankalaev absolutely wished to listen to nevertheless it’s apparently what the UFC already informed his supervisor.
“I’m not involved about [Pereira moving weight classes] in any respect,” Abdelaziz mentioned. “I’ve conversations behind closed doorways and Magomed Ankalaev must go on the market and present why he ought to struggle for the title and he’ll get his title shot.”
There’s any variety of explanation why the UFC opted to go together with Rountree proper now nevertheless it was Pereira who speculated that Ankalaev’s “boring type” price him the possibility to struggle for the title.
Each Ankalaev and his supervisor have now famous that in terms of finishes within the UFC, he’s acquired simply as many as Pereira so it’s obscure how he’s not been as entertaining.
“No one can say Magomed Ankalaev is boring as a result of he has six knockouts within the UFC,” Abdelaziz mentioned. “Pereira has six knockouts. [Ankalev] fought all people nevertheless it’s OK. It’s no drawback. It’s no exhausting emotions. It’s no complaining, no crying. We’ll simply maintain going.”
The way in which Abdelaziz sees it, Ankalaev is simply going to should maintain proving himself till it’s simple that he’s the most effective mild heavyweight within the sport.
That will require him to increase his unbeaten streak to 13 in a row along with his upcoming struggle at UFC 308 however Abdelaziz actually believes Ankalaev will finally turn out to be UFC champion in 2025.
“Khabib Nurmagomedov [won] 10 fights, Kamaru Usman [won] 10 fights [to get a title shot], these kind of men they’ve an extended street to get to the UFC Supervisor: If Magomed Ankalaev takes care of enterprise at UFC 308, ‘he’ll get his title shot’ towards Alex Pereira,” Abdelaziz mentioned. “Once they get there, they keep there. Kamaru stayed there. Islam [Makhachev] is staying there. Khabib stayed there. Belal [Muhammad], too, is considered one of these guys. He takes an extended street and now we’re going to see if he’s going to remain there.
“It’s OK. it’s simply making it extra more durable and makes it extra higher, it makes you’ve got one thing to show. It’s no drawback for him preventing Khalil Rountree. Did Khalil Rountree deserve it over Ankalaev? Completely not nevertheless it’s a enterprise.”