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Magomed Ankalaev promises to “Dominate” Alex Pereira at UFC 313

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Alex Pereira v Magomed Ankalaev

Magomed Ankaleav believes that UFC boss Dana White has been protecting Alex Pereira ahead of their light heavyweight title fight at UFC 313 in Las Vegas on Saturday.

The 32-year-old was uncharacteristically vocal at the event’s press conference on Thursday, taking aim at Pereira and White as he espoused confidence heading into the title fight.

“You know what? Honestly, [Pereira] should say thank you to Dana White for protecting him this whole time,” he said.

“Now it’s going to be a whole different thing.”

Ankalaev is the No.1 contender in the light heavyweight division, with just one loss to his name in the UFC—back in 2018, to Paul Craig on debut.

Since then, the Russian has gone unbeaten across 13 fights in the promotion.

He has had one previous title fight, ending in a draw against Jan Blachowicz in 2022 despite being favoured by top bookmakers ahead of the bout.

  • READ: UFC 313 Main Card Betting Tips & Free Preview

    • Ankalaev says he has no regrets about that missed opportunity and is ready to make amends this weekend.

    “I wasn’t upset about the last title fight,” he said.

    “I have nobody to blame, it’s just myself.

    “We saw the fight. The whole world saw the fight but it happened the way it happened.

    “Now it’s a whole different ballgame.

    “It’s a different fight, it’s a different opponent.”

    UFC betting sites have Pereira v Ankalaev priced closely heading into Saturday night, with Bet365 paying $1.72 to $2.10 in Pereira’s favour.

    But Ankalaev is confident he will be able to shift the narrative in the division and leave the Octagon with Pereira’s belt.

    “We’re planning on absolutely dominating him on Saturday,” he said.

    “We’re going to make sure that Chama has no chances on Saturday.

    “Whether or not he stays in the sport or decides to go back to the tire shop, that’s going to be up to him.

    “He’s going to be the one that has to make that decision.”

    Ankalaev even went as far as claiming that the pro-Pereira crowd would shift their allegiance by the end of the weekend.

    “I’d like to say that I see in this fight everyone is against me,” he said.

    “Everyone is saying ‘Chama! Chama! Chama!’ But guess what? Chama time is over.

    “After this Saturday night, after the fight, you will all love me.

    “The same people that are saying Chama now are going to be saying ‘No Chama!’ It’s Ankalaev time.”

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    Topics: Alex Pereira, Magomed Ankalaev, MMA, UFC

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