After defending his gentle heavyweight title thrice in 2024, Alex Pereira is itching to combat as soon as once more. No surprise he’s concentrating on March 2025 for a comeback. Whereas Brazilian followers will likely be thrilled, there’s a roadblock. Magomed Ankalaev is subsequent in line for a title shot in opposition to ‘Poatan’ however a March combat may merely not work for him. Even Joe Rogan was left perplexed by the state of affairs.
Joe Rogan, in his dialog at ‘JRE #2249’ emphasised, “Ankalaev wouldn’t be capable to combat in March. He’s acquired to undergo the whole month of Ramadan making ready for a world title combat?” In keeping with the multi-million greenback podcaster, the sunshine heavyweight champ was intentionally delaying his conflict in opposition to Ankalaev. However is there any reality on this assertion contemplating the truth that Alex Pereira has already defended his title in opposition to fighters like Jiri Prochazka, Jamahal Hill, and Khalil Rountree Jr?
Nicely, Chael Sonnen doesn’t agree with Rogan’s speculations. He posted a video on Instagram the place he acknowledged:
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“So Ramadan, which is for Muslim faith, you don’t eat till a sure time within the day. And there are some athletes, it might by no means work. On combat day, you may be fasting. They’re accusing Alex Pereira of utilizing this as a method, claiming that Pereira knew when Ramadan was and that he knew it might not be perfect for Ankalaev to coach throughout Ramadan. I don’t suppose I consider any of that to be true. I don’t suppose that Alex Pereira thought this stuff by means of.”
He additional added, “Alex Pereira has many choices, and he’s been saying Ankalaev on a regular basis. So, I don’t know that I purchase into the Ramadan technique as a lot because it simply occurs to fall throughout Ramadan. If it does, then the competitors goes to go on. I’d surprise about it—what sort of exceptions are there?”
May or not it’s doable that Alex Pereira is afraid of Ankalaev contemplating his wrestling background?
The reply to that query is a large no. The Brazilian’s status as a fearless two-division champion has been constructed upon defeating names that seemed to be too robust for him to defeat. Nicely, the one conclusion out of Pereira’s recreation plan is that he’s simply teasing Ankalaev. Regardless, Alex Pereira and the UFC might want to determine rapidly. In spite of everything, there are different fighters within the division who’re ready to get their arms on the belt. Who else desires to climb to the highest aside from Ankalaev?
Jan Blachowicz throws his title into the combination for a showdown in opposition to Alex Pereira!
Whereas having a dialog with ‘MMA Preventing’, former gentle heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz shared he can be prepared for a title combat. “I’m not dreaming a couple of match in opposition to him, however after my subsequent combat, I’ll deal with that. If I win, I consider I deserve the rematch like no person else within the division,” he mentioned.
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In early 2024, he went by means of a second shoulder surgical procedure. H͏o͏w͏ev͏er, sev͏period͏l mon͏͏ths after͏ the proced͏ure͏, the f͏ormer UFC l͏i͏gh͏t ͏͏heavyweig͏ht c͏hamp͏ion ͏f͏͏e͏els r͏evitalized͏ and st͏ron͏ger than͏ ever. Whereas ͏t͏he surgical procedure to͏okay him aw͏ay fr͏o͏m ͏the ͏ca͏g͏e͏ for some time, he’s n͏o͏w re͏t͏urning ͏w͏ith ͏a r͏enewed sense of ͏vigor. In reality, he has a combat booked for March. If he wins it, he expects to face Pereira quickly.
Again in 2023, Blachowic͏z and Pereira confronted one another at UFC 291. The Polish fighter went to distance with Alex Pereira, however ultimately, ‘Poatan’ received the combat by unanimous choice.
USA Immediately by way of Reuters
However right here’s the factor: Blachowic͏z is scheduled to combat Carlos Ulberg at UFC Combat Night time 255 on March 22. The 41-year-old desperately wants to select a win if he desires to get into talks of a title combat. In spite of everything, in his final 5 fights, he picked simply two wins and one draw. His draw was in opposition to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 282.
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Do you suppose Jan Blachowic͏z ought to get a title combat if he defeats Ulberg? Tell us your ideas within the feedback beneath.