Alex Pereira Accuses Magomed Ankalaev of Dishonesty Ahead of UFC 320 Rematch
In the lead-up to their highly anticipated rematch at UFC 320, Alex Pereira has stepped into the spotlight, accusing Magomed Ankalaev of being dishonest about their previous encounter. Their first meeting occurred at UFC 313 back in March, where Ankalaev claimed the light heavyweight title through a unanimous decision victory. Now, tensions are boiling as Pereira aims to rectify what he perceives as an injustice.
Conflict Builds: Pereira Claims Ankalaev Avoided Confrontation
As the excitement mounts for UFC 320, Pereira has made strong allegations against Ankalaev, suggesting that he deliberately avoided him during their time at the UFC Performance Institute. Pereira has even released a video on his YouTube channel depicting their confrontation, which he claims supports his version of events. Ankalaev, however, has repeatedly denied these claims and shared his perspective on the encounter.
Pereira Questions Ankalaev’s Authenticity
During a recent open workout media scrum in Las Vegas, Pereira expressed his skepticism regarding Ankalaev’s authenticity, particularly in light of the latter’s social media antics. Pereira stated, “I don’t know why he’s saying that because that’s 100 percent what happened,” emphasizing his belief that Ankalaev lacks originality in his trash talk. He elaborated, stating, “So what happens is somebody else, somewhere else, is writing for him, and then he comes here and he sees me.” This sentiment adds another layer to their rivalry as fight night approaches.
Pereira Maintains Professionalism Despite Rivalry
While the animosity seems to be escalating, Pereira insists that for him, the rivalry is not personal. When asked about his feelings towards Ankalaev, he expressed his intent to avoid conflict, stating, “I try to avoid conflict with my opponents. I even become friendly with them afterwards.” He reflected on his history of camaraderie with past opponents, asserting that he has no genuine issue with Ankalaev.
Understanding the UFC Dynamics
Pereira also noted the challenges that often come with fight promotion, explaining, “We all know the UFC didn’t want to promote that fight, so that’s never what it was.” This insight into the promotional aspects of their previous encounter provides context to the ongoing conflict, revealing that sometimes external factors can influence fighters’ interactions.
| Key Points in Pereira vs. Ankalaev Rivalry | Details |
|---|---|
| Initial Encounter | UFC 313 – Ankalaev won via unanimous decision |
| Pereira’s Claims | Ankalaev avoided him at UFC Performance Institute |
| Video Evidence | Pereira shared confrontation footage on YouTube |
| Ankalaev’s Denials | Repeatedly denied Pereira’s allegations |
| Pereira’s Philosophy | Aims to maintain professionalism and avoid conflicts |
As UFC 320 approaches, fans eagerly await the showdown between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev, a clash that promises to deliver not just skill but an intense narrative rooted in rivalry and accusations. Will Pereira succeed in avenging his earlier loss, or will Ankalaev reaffirm his title reign? The anticipation continues to build as fight night draws near.
