Ankalaev will not wait for Pereira. The Brazilian is only interested in the second belt
Sergey Sorokin September 3, 2024, 19:45 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
Alex is chasing a double championship, but the Russian’s hopes are dashed.
Magomed Ankalaev is perhaps the UFC fighter who needs a title shot the most. He made one attempt, but it ended in a draw with Jan Blachowicz. After that, the Russian is constantly close to the coveted fight for the belt. But every time someone crosses his path. This time it was Khalil Rountree, who will fight Alex Pereira. In this fight, the championship belt that Ankalaev is fighting for will be at stake. Of course, Magomed had a chance to compete. But one gets the feeling that even a victory in the upcoming fight will not allow the Russian to fight the Brazilian.
Khalil Rowntree stormed into the championship race, overtaking the Russian:
A mediocre drug addict beat Ankalaev. The UFC appreciates upstarts
Alex has long since proven his ability to “play” with weight. And it seems that he is quite ready for a move to another weight class. Pereira dreams of wearing two championship belts at once. Many thought that the choice would fall on heavyweight. And there were big opportunities: both a confrontation with Jon Jones and a possible fight with Tom Aspinall, which every fan of mixed martial arts would love to see. But it seems that Alex has finally made his choice. And he made a decision in favor of a different weight class.
Pereira has not yet fought Rowntree, but he has already decided to challenge. And the Brazilian’s choice fell on Dricus du Plessis: “I am focused on the next fight and I will be ready, but you never know what can happen. So, regardless of the result, I want to go back down to middleweight and fight for the belt. Hey, Drikus, gather your will and fight me. This way you will prove that you are better than me. Make a public statement, everything will be easier.”
Dricus du Plessis
Photo: Fake Images
It seems that chasing a second belt is the trend of the current UFC generation. Almost all champions do not immediately think about defending themselves, but about trying to go further. Therefore, the Brazilian’s desire is understandable. Moreover, he cannot be blamed for the stagnation of the division. Pereira honestly completed several defenses, was flawless in this, did not experience any particular problems with his opponents, so he could well ask the organization for the opportunity to move to another division and compete there for the championship belt. And you won’t have to get used to it much. Alex has already competed in the middleweight division and was even a champion there. Therefore, you will feel absolutely comfortable.
Alex Pereira
Photo: Fake Images
Of course, all this is great for Alex, who has a real chance of becoming a double champion. And then you can think about the heavyweight. Only then will Magomed Ankalaev have to wait. And one gets the feeling that he is running out of patience. It is possible that the Russian will find himself in a situation where his next fight will actually be a challenger fight. That’s because Pereira has to fight Rountree first. And after this he is unlikely to make a quick comeback – it will take him some time to prepare for Du Plessis. Then Ankalaev will find himself in a difficult situation. He will be forced to stay inactive, which is a sad story before a possible fight with Pereira. Or we will have to have another fight. But the defeat there will finally cut off the Russian’s path to the title.
Magomed is “strangled” abroad, but at home he can make a fortune:
“The UFC doesn’t need Ankalaev.” They’re playing Magomed in the US: it’s time to go to Russia
Pereira can be understood, he reaches the top, dominates the division and solves his own problems. But I would still like Ankalaev to get on this “train”. Magomed is patiently waiting for his chance, which constantly slips through his fingers. In such a situation, it is very difficult not to break down mentally. Of course, Magomed is a warrior who is unlikely to give up in such a situation. But if the organization really decides to please Alex and pushes Ankalaev again, the paths of the Russian and the UFC may diverge.
