Magomedov Ankalaev Wants Best Version of Alex Pereira in Rematch

Magomed Ankalaev outpointed Alex Pereira in their first meeting at UFC 313. | Getty/UFC

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Magomed Ankalaev doesn’t want to leave any doubt in his rematch against Alex Pereira. 

Ankalaev dethroned Pereira via unanimous decision at UFC 313 this past March. While Pereira said he didn’t want to make excuses for the loss, the Brazilian claimed to have had a complicated training camp with a hand injury. “Poatan” also thought that he had done enough to get his hand raised. 

Ankalaev is now scheduled to defend his light heavyweight title in a rematch against Pereira in the main event at UFC 320 on Oct. 4 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Ankalaev believes the rematch will be an easier night at the office for him than the first encounter. The Russian also wants Pereira to come in at 100% so he is left with no excuses in case of a loss.

Ankalaev Expects Easier Time vs. Pereira in Rematch

“I think the rematch will be much easier than the first fight,” he told Sport24.ru. “I’ll do whatever it takes to dominate… I actually want him to come into this fight 100% so there are no questions about the outcome. I don’t want to hear talk like last time about him not being ready or something not being done. I want him to be in great shape so that after our fight he has no excuses.

Pereira won and defended the title three times within a year before losing against Ankalaev. Meanwhile, Ankalaev hasn’t lost in 14 outings since his lone career defeat in his UFC debut in 2018. 

This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com

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