Alex Pereira made it clear in his post-fight interview at UFC 307 that he has no plans to leave the light heavyweight division right now.
“Poatan” has flirted with both moving up to heavyweight and returning to middleweight but said himself that competing at 205-pounds is a sweet spot for him right now. Though his clash with Khalil Rountree in the main event delivered an entertaining fight, many expected Magomed Ankalaev to be his opponent in Salt Lake City.
The #2-ranked contender will instead face Aleksandar Rakić at UFC 308 later this month where if he wins, there surely can be no denying him.
Ali Abdelaziz Says Magomed Ankalaev Has To Be Next For Alex Pereira
In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Ankalaev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz gave his thoughts on the current title picture at 205-pounds. He believes that Pereira’s statement on remaining at light heavyweight gives him no option but to face Ankalaev if he defeats Rakić in Abu Dhabi.
Abdelaziz also pointed to some of his other fighters that have also had to campaign for a long time in order to get their title shots. He said that like the examples he gave, Ankalaev will make up for this long period of waiting by being champion for a significant period of time.
“It would be embarrassing if he did this. He clearly said he’s not running, it would be clearly running but listen, let’s see what happens. Ankalaev needs to focus on Rakić but if I’m a champion and I believe I’m the best in the world, I’m going to fight anybody and listen, remember Islam Makhachev take him a long time to get there but when he’s there, he’s there for a long time.
Khabib, Kamaru, these guys wait for a long time to become a champion, they hang around for a while and I believe this is going to be the deal for Ankalaev.”
