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Alex Pereira will return to action at UFC 307 against Khalil Rountree Jr. in a bid to make the third defense of his light heavyweight throne. However, the UFC's decision to overlook No.2-ranked contender Magomed Ankalaev has raised eyebrows in the MMA community.
Ankalaev expressed disappointment over not receiving the title shot considering that he's been unbeaten in the organization since September 2018. This sentiment was echoed by several prominent figures in the MMA community, including UFC color commentator Joe Rogan and MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz, who have questioned the decision to favor Rountree Jr. instead of Ankalaev.
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Pereira responded to Ankalaev's comments in an interview with MMA reporter Kevin Iole, stating:
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"Even his manager [Ali Abdelaziz] right? A super famous guy in the MMA world goes and says 'This guy [Pereira] is not going to fight [Ankalaev].' Go talk to Dana White... [he] doesn't want to make the matchup. It's not Alex."
He added:
"And then he goes and says, 'The fact that Ankalaev not fighting for the title is a joke.' Because if the UFC, Dana White, and the guys decide, so they are [a] joke? They're clowns? They're circus? You got to sort that out with the organization. It’s not my fault that Ankalaev has such a boring style of fighting that nobody wants to watch.”
Check out Alex Pereira's comments below:
Alex Pereira claims he's prepared to "put on a show" against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307
Alex Pereira is gearing up to defend his light heavyweight title against Khalil Rountree on Oct. 5 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Despite initial resistance to the matchup, Pereira discerns a surge of anticipation ahead of the clash.
The fight garnered mixed reactions from fans when it was announced in August. However, while speaking in an interview with Nina-Marie Daniele, Pereira claimed that he senses a shift in sentiment:
"I feel good, I feel ready. We came here three weeks before this fight to prepare this time. Very pumped. I think it’s going to be a good fight. In the beginning, people didn’t give too much attention for this matchup but now we feel the difference. People are building up to that. And I am prepared to put on a show… I think Khalil, too. So it’ll be a great fight.”
Check out Alex Pereira's comments below (14:00):
