The former light-heavyweight champion is hoping to return to action later this year despite Magomed Ankalaev’s claims that the Brazilian is ‘retired’
Alex Pereira has clapped back at Magomed Ankalaev, expressing his desire to make a comeback to the octagon later this year. The Brazilian was on the receiving end of a surprise loss to Ankalaev at UFC 313 earlier this year.
The build-up to their light-heavyweight bout was marred by a war of words, with tensions running high and nearly boiling over before they even stepped into the cage. Since clinching the 205lb title, Ankalaev is desperate to stay active inside the cage and has continued to carry on his rivalry with ‘Poatan’.
The Russian accused the Pereira camp of stalling negotiations and believes that the former light-heavyweight king is ‘retired.’ Despite the post-UFC 313 drama, Pereira is keen to even the score and win back the gold strap.
In a recent interview with UFC Brazil, the 37-year-old set the record straight regarding the status of his second bout with Ankalaev. “We’ll definitely be talking about my next fight soon,” he said.
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“I don’t have a specific date yet, but we already have an idea. I took this time off to rest, because I worked hard in 2024. I think my body got tired, I had some injuries, so I decided to take it easy, more on the recovery side, and now I’m coming back. To come back [the right way]: firm and strong, to go after my belt again.”
Ankalaev recently stated that he had agreed to fight Pereira in June, July and August, following reports that both fighters had consented to a rematch. Despite his insistence that the Brazilian is ‘done,’ it appears likely that the Russian’s first title defence will be an immediate sequel against the knockout artist.
The Russian’s remarks came just weeks after the Brazilian fan-favourite claimed he was ‘hacked’ on X, following a post suggesting he had threatened UFC CEO Dana White with retirement. “I don’t even know what’s going on. I have a great relationship with the UFC,” said Pereira. Daniel Cormier, who shares a good relationship with ‘Poatan’, didn’t buy his response.
“Pereira is a liar,” Cormier declared. “Pereira did not get hacked yesterday. “Pereira might have tweeted something and then somebody called him and was like, ‘Yo, calm down. Let’s chill.’ I don’t believe the hack thing, mate. It’s too convenient. It was very unusual. It was too specific. He didn’t use profanity. It kind of sounded like Pereira.”
Pereira had posted: “I always answered the UFC’s calls. But if they want to play with me, we can do that. I’ve never spoken poorly of the UFC but with what I’ve just heard I’m disheartened. I’ve already had thoughts of not fighting anymore, and after what was just relayed to me this may be the start.”
‘Poatan,’ however, is now back in training and appears to be preparing for his return to the cage. The rematch was initially suggested to take place at UFC 318 in Chicago, before the announcement of the Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev headliner by the promotion. Now, the earliest possible date for this fight could be September at UFC 319.
