Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Welp! Dana White’s least favorite contender just announced long-awaited title fight with Alex Pereira in 2025 - ‘It will happen’

by · MMAmania.com

Alexander Behunin specializes in running MMAmania.com's various social media accounts, as well as covering live UFC events, interviewing the sports biggest stars and personalities.

First Merab ... now Magomed?

No. 1-ranked Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight contender, Magomed Ankalakev, is (still) patiently waiting for a call from Dana White and Co. to confirm his long-awaited title shot against 205-pound kingpin, Alex Pereira, who is currently having a grand ol time in South Korea.

Over the weekend, Ankalaev spoke with Russian News Outlet TASS to accuse Pereira of holding up the fight.

“Pereira has not yet agreed to the fight,” Ankalaev said. “But, sooner or later, it will happen. I think the fight can take place in May.”

If Ankalaev is to be believed (and not being misled), then it would makes sense why Pereira has not yet agreed to the fight. He’s been ridiculously active, putting the promotion in his capable back all year. The Brazilian is also currently on a seminar tour, and after his last back-and-forth brawl at UFC 307, “Poatan” revealed he was dealing with numerous injuries and needed time to heal.

Chama.

Nevertheless, it seems like poor Ankalaev is now getting the Merab Dvalishvili treatment. That’s because he has long-deserved another shot at UFC gold after failing the first time at UFC 282. Unfortunately for the Russian fighter, UFC’s CEO (White) hasn’t been too impressed, even telling Ankalev he needed a good fight at UFC 308 to clinch a title shot.

While “good fight” is subjective, the Russian did win at UFC 308, and White seemed to agree that Ankalaev finally deserves a title shot.

If a potential fight between Ankalaev vs. Pereira goes down in May, it will be after Ankalaev observes Ramadan, which takes place from Feb. 28, 2025, to March 29, 2025.

Keep running, “Poatan.”


To checkout UFC’s upcoming schedule of events click here.