Magomed Ankalaev faces Aleksandar Rakic simply three weeks after Alex Pereira defends his UFC mild heavyweight title towards Khalil Rountree at UFC 307, and he isn’t joyful to see Pereira declare he turned down a shot at gold.
Pereira just lately posted a video on his YouTube channel claiming that he anticipated to face Ankalaev subsequent, however the Russian “didn’t need to combat me.” It didn’t take lengthy for Ankalaev to take to social media to refute the claims and say he was by no means provided the chance.
“@AlexPereiraUFC you’re a liar. You mentioned I turned fireplace down towards you @DanaWhite, @MickMaynard2 by no means provide me a combat towards you. I’m gonna make you eat your phrase after I deal with my enterprise.”
Pereira vs. Rountree headlines UFC 307 on Oct. 5 in Salt Lake Metropolis, whereas Ankalaev attracts Rakic on Oct. 26 at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi.
In his video, Pereira claimed he “all the time needed to combat towards Ankalaev” after defending his 205-pound belt with a knockout over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 300, nevertheless the one-time title challenger “has made issues troublesome.”
“I don’t know the rationale, if it was the situation, if he didn’t need to combat,” Pereira mentioned of Ankalaev. “He isn’t the champion, he can’t decide something. It’s the chance that exhibits 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 petrified of anybody. Everybody is aware of my historical past and all the pieces I’ve carried out, not solely in MMA, however in kickboxing as effectively. It’s apparent that I need to combat this man.”
