Alex Pereira claims Magomed Ankalaev ‘didn’t want to fight’ as he confirms another fight for comeback at UFC 307

Part of Pereia's dominant run to two world titles is that he's sprinted through the divisions, having already defeated nearly all of the top five in the 205-pound division. Now he faces another top striker, Rountree, while Ankalaev faces a different challenge a few weeks later at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi.

Alex Pereira defends claims that Magomed Ankalaev turned down a UFC 307 title fight

Alex Pereira announced last week that he would make a surprise return to the Octagon on October 5 at UFC 307. He had previously stated that he would not be available until November after making short-notice saves for UFC 300 and UFC 303 in April and June respectively.

It seemed that Magomed Ankalaev was his clear challenger, but in a video on his YouTube page, Pereira claims his rival was not keen on the fight. “Many people ask me, I always wanted to fight Ankalaev,” he said via translator.

“I threw that out to the organization and made it very clear, but Ankalaev didn't want to fight me. I don't know the reason, whether it was the location or whether he just didn't want to. He's not the champion, he can't choose.

“I think it's because of the opportunity that presented itself, he didn't want it. He has his reasons, I don't know what it is. I came to tell you guys, I'm not afraid of anyone, everyone knows my story and everything I've done and who I've competed against, not only in MMA but also in kickboxing.”

Alex Pereira admits he was surprised by the fight against Khalil Rountree Jr.

It seems that fans weren't the only ones shocked when Khalil Rountree Jr. got a shot at light heavyweight gold. Pereira himself admitted he was surprised the fight took place, noting that the promotion was likely looking for a slugfest.

“I was a little surprised when they offered him too,” Pereira said in the same YouTube video. “I honestly thought it was Ankalaev – I think the organization sees that he's a guy who's going to put up a good fight.”

“They do all this for you. To please you… The ranking is not important, what matters is the work he has done… When they did it to me, I was not ranked, I was quickly ranked… They do the same thing. UFC thinks about you.”

Magomed Ankalaev promises to knock out Alex Pereira in two rounds

Following last weekend's UFC 305 pay-per-view, Pereira hinted he might move back down to middleweight to chase champion Dricus Du Plessis. He last made weight at middleweight in March of last year, when he was knocked out by Israel Adesanya in a rematch for the belt.

He quickly moved up to light heavyweight and within months won gold in his new weight class when he knocked out Jiri Prochazka. Since then, calls for him to move up to heavyweight have grown louder, but it seems he will want to move down a division with Du Plessis.

This obviously angered Ankalaev, who feels he is being passed over for a world title at light heavyweight after rising to number two in the world rankings. He took to social media to vent his frustration and vowed to stop Pereira quickly.

“Alex Pereira is the biggest coward in the UFC,” he wrote. “He challenges middleweights he outweighs them by 40 pounds. I'm the only one whose name he doesn't even mention. I promise that in October I'll mind my business and knock you out in less than two rounds.”

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