MMA Fighting - UFC 313 Timeline: Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev

Episode Date: March 3, 2025

Before Alex Pereira again steps into the octagon to defend his UFC light heavyweight title, check out MMA Fighting's UFC 313 Timeline to look back on Pereira's incredible run at the top and the winding road challenger Magomed Ankalaev took to his championship opportunity. Voiced by Mike Heck, produced by E. Casey Leydon. Follow Mike Heck: @m_heckjr E. Casey Leydon: @ekc Subscribe: http://goo.gl/dYpsgH Check out our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/u8VvLi Visit our playlists: http://goo.gl/eFhsvM Like MMAF on Facebook: http://goo.gl/uhdg7Z Follow on Twitter: http://goo.gl/nOATUI Read More: http://www.mmafighting.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Shop now at IKEA.ca.ca.com slash Black Friday. IKEA, bring home to life. You're listening to the Vox Media Podcast Network. MMA fighting presents Timeline. Alex Pereira versus Magamad Ancolaev. March 17th, 2018. UFC Fight Night 127, Verdume v. Volkov, London, England. The undefeated Magamad Ancolaev makes his UFC debut against Scottish grappler Paul Craig.

Craig shocks the arena with a come-from-behinds submission victory in the little literal last second of the fight. Ankleyev would return to the cage the following September in Moscow, Russia, and would get his first UFC victory by head kick knockout over Marchein Prachnio. Ankolaev would continue on his winning ways, with a decision victory over Clitsynabrayu in Prague, Czech Republic. And in November of 2019, Ankoliath would return to Moscow and defeat Dahliazalajibullah by third round front kick knockout.

February 29th, 2020, UFC on ESPN Plus 27, Benavides versus Figurato, Norfolk, Virginia. For the first time, Ancolaev is booked stateside to fight veteran Iwan Kuchelaba. In one of the strangest stoppages in UFC history, Kuchelaba seemingly uses the rope-a-dope technique after absorbing some glancing strikes in the fight's opening moments. Unfortunately, the technique leads to a stoppage at 38 seconds into round one. October 24, 2020, UFC 254 Habib versus Gachi, Abu Dhabi. Due to the early stoppage in their first bout, the UFC immediately rebooks Ancolaev to face Kuchelaba once again,

this time as the featured prelim on a pay-per-view card on the UFC's Fight Island. Ankoliath would knock out Kuchalaba late into round one and also take home his third UFC performance bonus. Ankoliath would follow this victory up with the decision win over Nikita Krilyov at UFC Vegas 20 the following February. October 30th, 2021, UFC 267, Blahovich versus Tashara, Abu Dhabi. Ankaliath is booked opposite his highest profile opponent to date, former title challenger, Vlige, Olkan Ozedemir. Ankleif wins by unanimous decision. And I'm not sure you're aware,

but I believe you have the longest win streak in the light heavyweight division outside of John Jones. There's obviously the title fight in the main event. At Media Day, you even said, I don't think people are going to call me out because they don't know who I am and I'm too good. So is there a date you want to return it

or a name that you like to face after this performance? No, I don't know. for the point. So, if if someone who is my name,

I think we will do it. Well, I don't know. Honestly, I don't know how to answer this question. My goal is still the same is the

title. And, well, let's see, let's see if someone going to call my name this time or no. November 6th, 2021,

UFC 268, Uzman versus Covington 2, New York, New York. The former glory kickboxing champion makes his UFC debut at Madison Square Garden on the prelims against the 13 and 4, Andreas Mikhailitis. Pereira wins by flying knee KO

18 seconds into round two and improves his MMA record to 3 and 1. Pereira also takes home his first $50,000 performance of the night bonus. The debut of Alex Pereira, Obviously, a lot of people saying he might have the path to Adasanya after their kickboxing background. What are just your general thoughts? He looked damn good tonight, you know.

He did a great job defending the takedown and then, you know, got the guy where he needed him. And incredible, lying knee. March 12, 2022, UFC Vegas 50, Santos versus Ancolaev, Las Vegas, Nevada. Magamette Ancolaev is booked in his first UFC, 25-minute main event. He is set to face former UFC title challenger Tiago Santos at the apex. Ancolaev wins by decision, moving his overall record to 17-1 and moving his UFC winning streak to eight straight victories.

Man, he blurred the line between winning and total apathy, because that fight sucked. Like, and I blame, frankly, I would be honest, I blame it entirely on him. I know that it takes two to tango. and we can get into why that fight looked the way it did, and sure both men played a part to it. But it's not Tiago Santos's fault that that fight sucked. It's Magamette Ancolaia's fault that that fight sucked. And I blame him entirely, and I'm going to keep blaming him,

even though I have, you know, predicted he's going to be the light heavyweight champion at the end of the year. Because, man, what the hell? Like, you just can't do like that. We all talked about it all in the lead up. It was, this is the first. fight. He wins this fight. He's going to get to fight the winner of Yeree Glover. That's it. That's gone, baby. That's out. Like, I know he came in saying at the end, well, I think I don't care. You Leon Edwards, the hell out of yourself with that nonsense. Get out of you. Wow. Wow.

And you got, dude, we're live, Jay. We can't take that back. Oh, my goodness. I don't want to take it back. I hope someone sees this. He's like, yeah, look, you, he's right. Because if you had just tried to do stuff, you probably would have won. And then having done stuff, been fun enough to be like, all right, that's the dude. There's a reason we were talking about him. There's a reason he was a minus 800 favor or whatever. Instead, we just got that, man. Like, I don't, again, I'm not a professional fighter and I can't get inside their head.

But it boggles my mind whenever we see stuff like this. and it happens a lot. It's not just Magramey and Ankleyev, but like, you have everything you've ever wanted on the line, and that's the performance you put forth. Like, what the hell, dude? Okay, from a pure entertainment standpoint,

and we can't lie to ourselves, MMA is entertainment. It needs to be entertainment, too. Yeah, that fight stunk, entertainment-wise. From a martial arts perspective, yeah, Ankelyev did what he needed to do, was get the W and not get injured. Yeah, he might need a couple of stitches.

on his shin, but Tiago Santos is a scary dude, and I don't know. Yeah, it ain't going to get him a title shot. No, he's going to, he actually might move him down in the rankings because of that fight just because we want to be jerks. But it happens, and

yeah. That's the best good cop I could do. I'm sorry. Also, on the early prelims of the card, Pereira is booked in the apex for the first time, opposite the 22 and 7 Bruno Silva. The minus 200 favorite Pereira wins by unanimous decision. I was actually really impressed with Alex Pereira tonight.

Like, he could have gone out there delivered a two-minute knockout, but the fact that he went three rounds, the fact that he overcame some adversity, he had to do some different things, he had a battle, he had to do some takedown defense. But was it the prettiest fight of all time? No. But did he go out there and do the damn thing against a tough season? guy? Yeah, I wasn't shabby at all. Jed, would you throw him into a matchup of the top 10 guy right now?

Would you throw him in there with Sean Strickland? I would throw him in there with Derek Brunson tomorrow. His power does really impress the hell out of me because he has to have like super dense bones or something. He barely, he barely like swings and it's thudding power. It's not like, ooh, precisely clear. It's just like the whole body is shifting of Bruno Silva's. a thick dude. And so like it is, that was the thing that was the most impressive to me. It's just like

how much he could move Silva's body by what appeared to just be lightly tapping him. July 2nd, 2022, UFC 276, Adasagna versus Canineer, Las Vegas, Nevada. Pereira makes his pay-per-view debut against top-ranked middleweight Sean Strickland on the UFC's annual international fight week card. Well, I'm focused on my lutein with Shane Strickland. Everyone knows. In my interviews, I've always

talking, I always prioritizing this. Well, I'm focused on my fight Saturday. I still got the fight to do with Strickland. I'm focused 100% on that fight. But I'm rooting for Israel. Who's the best striker on stage? I mean, I would say me, but I mean, that man was the one that slept that man.

So, you know, next to me, Next to me, probably Alex. I mean, what was it like, 2-0 against Izzy? What was it, 2-0? I'll break your fucking face. I'll break my nail in your face. Get this man. Alex, get this.

Hey, man, you better focus on your guy if he's going to fuck you up, too. Yeah, the way he fucking slept your ass. And guess what? Like I said, focus on this guy. He's a tough opponent, and you focus on him as well. Davey and asks more about me this whole fucking fight camp than each other.

So you need to focus on the work you're doing, because trust me, he will sleep you at no. Hey, Izzy, why don't you tell me what not to do? Do you have a preference? and two wins between Strickland and Padena. No, they're both big money fights. This guy talks a lot, and this guy's already beat me twice in kickboxing. And funny thing is, I asked you guys the press at the press conference,

who's actually watched the fight? Five people in a room foot of 25 put their hands up and two were my managers. So only three reporters have watched the fight. Trust me, he knows I put him on skates last time. And this time when I put you on skates, I'm going to leave you frozen like Elsa. In an absolute star-making performance, Pereira easily disposes of Strickland by knockout with his signature left hook halfway into the opening round.

The knockout of the year contender would also earn Pereira his second $50,000 bonus. I've seen many people in the interview, but the people in the middle, right? Other judges, I don't know, why. Maybe it's not going to happen with them. Absolutely a lot of people talk, especially fighters, you know. They think they have a chance over me, but, you know, like me ahead of me.

So feel good to prove that. And, you know, because by the end of the day, it's what the people want. And the people want to see knockouts. People want to see the style that I fight. People want to see whoever is in front of me getting knocked out. That's what I bring for them. July 30th, 2022, UFC 277, Pena versus Nunes 2, Dallas, Texas. Ankleyev is set to face once more another former title challenger.

This time top 10 ranked Anthony Smith on the main card for the pay-per-view. I don't know where he'll put him to. I think his time has been over. We, I think, I think, we'll, I think, will show him what his time has. I don't know exactly where to put him on a scale. I think his time is over now, And I'll show it on Saturday that his time has passed at this point.

Ankalyev wins by ground and pound TKO midway through round two. And after your last fight, you called for a title fight. You ended up fighting Anthony in the meantime. Yeri obviously has said he would like to fight Glover to share. In the rematch, you called for a title fight again. How confident are you that you've done enough to finally secure the title fight you've been calling for? Well, if I'm going to do, you've done in the U.S. I've already I've been to do with the police.

So we'll be going to get to the news, to listen to their managers. We'll be a right decision. I think we'll not be any of a battle. He will make him a different story. But he's not asking for anything. He just will wait. What they were going to propose him, his managers, and U.S. will take any fight, he said.

November 12th, 2022, U.S.C. 281, Adesania versus Pereira, New York, New York. After achieving three straight victories and two performance bonuses, Pereira is set to face longtime rival and UFC middleweight champion Israel Adasagna. This will be the third time they meet, the first two, coming in the kickboxing world. Hey, first of all, good evening to everybody. here. I know it's a great event here. You know, I just said it's talking a lot. I train a lot for this to be in this moment. I just sign is talking about me. You know, it's going to be difficult to accept the knockout. Can you really be sure going into Saturday night that there's nothing in this for you that's personal?

You know what? We're talking about MMA. You know, we all know what happened in the last two fights. I forgot about him. I hope you forgot as well. I'm going to fight you like it was the first time I was fighting in my life. You know, there's a lot of people that think, maybe that they thought I wasn't deserving, including a design in his team. Originally he said, so when I came into the UFC that he wanted to fight me. As soon as I started to fight people, they changed the narrative. They spun things around and they said, oh, maybe they started to run around and said, maybe I don't want to face him again.

I think I kind of screwed his mind a little bit and he's a little bit unbalanced psychologically on this one. You're going to be alone. I don't speak Portuguese. You're gonna be alone inside that I have to go without a team. Oh yes, you and me, don't worry, but they're gonna be with me. They're gonna be with me in spirit. Trust me. They can't save you either.

They can't save you. All this shit, don't worry. He's got bragging rights. Talk all the shit you want. Talk all the shit you want. Because trust me, they can't save you either when you're locked in there with me. Hey, Adesania, let's you do you make a question. You can't understand what you?

I want to understand what you. You really want to be here. I am here. I am here. After four rounds of competitive action, Pereira stuns the Madison Square Garden crowd, as he gets a standing TKO, two minutes into the final round,

and becomes the UFC middleweight champion. After only four fights in the promotion, and just eight MMA fights overall. You know, kind of how you felt things were going over the course of the fight, because you were down on the cards going into that last round. Well, I know that it was a lot of a lot of the champion, the ex-campion.

It's a guy that was batting in all the world and I knew what I had in the front and it was what I imagined, what I imagined, a lot of a of a porrada, there. I had my strategy that I was trying to apply. Welcome to this fight.

I knew it was going to be a very hard fight. You know, tried everything, tried to pace myself. But going to the last round, my corners and Glover kept it real with me. Look in my eyes and say, I look at him action and I say, do I have to knock him out? And Glover say, you do have to knock him out.

And then I say, okay, let's do it. Wrong. Hi, I'm Sophia Loprecaro, host of the Before the Chorus podcast. We dive into the life experiences behind the music we love. Artists of all genres are welcome. And I've been joined by some pretty amazing folks, like Glass Animals. I guess that was the idea as to,

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while killing 99.9% of germs. With long-lasting freshness and an iconic pine scent, it's sure to give you that fresh holiday feeling. Shop now and get your home holiday ready with Pine Soul. Use is directed. December 10, 2022, UFC 282, Blahovich v. Ancolaev, Las Vegas, Nevada. Originally booked as a co-main event, the original main event champion Yuri Prahachka was set to rematchel Glover Tashira for the title. But less than one month out, Prahachka was forced to pull out with a shoulder injury.

The UFC decides to promote the co-main event as the new main event for the now vacant UFC light heavyweight title. You know, I was a champion I wanted this title back, you know, because I know how good it's feel. So I wanted twice more than before. Legendary Polish power. But I'm a lot of many many people, I've been with stop.

And this war is also an usual for me, I felt. I thought lots of top opponents before. He's just the next guy. I mean, this is just a regular fight for me. This is my way, this is my path. I need to come out there a champion. So on Saturday you will see everything that I worked for

and everything that I deserve. The fight ends in a draw. What are you gonna do? I think the main event was terrible. Um, you know, what are you going to do? Did you have anybody winning in the main event? Did you have a, I don't even know. I started to zone out after like fucking three rounds.

So, you know, I heard that Ancolaev is upset and whatever. What do you want me to do, you know? You got beat up the first two rounds and, you know, you took them to the ground. You started, what are you going to do? What I guess the question is, what do you do now, right? I mean, you're a fake title and split. You do Glover. versus Jamal Hill in Brazil for the vacant title.

Is that done? Done. This was just a different level of chaos tonight. Like this was absolutely absurd by the end of it. 10 out of 10 finishes to start the night. I mean, we were rolling. I'll get to Porea looking incredible. I've been calling that guy a future champion forever.

I know we're going to get to it. DDP having a statement win. Ponzi gets back into it. And then all of a sudden we get this Patty situation. And then obviously the main event follows as well. Dana White is just out here just throwing darts at the the board seeing what's sticking by the end of the night he didn't even seem to care about anything that happened in that main event he admitted himself that he didn't really pay attention

to it after a certain point uh saying that he zoned out after the third round which is funny because by the end of the third round that was when the fight was actually getting interesting so the whole i don't know this whole night was very incredibly bizarre it feels like this has just been a very weird year to begin with right results all across the board this year have been very surprising lots of upsets lots of just strange stuff in general lots of injuries in main events and things like that. So this in a weird way feels fitting as a way to end 2020. You end it with the weirdest of all.

But yeah, man, strange night. Strange, strange night. Leaves a bad taste in your mouth. April 8th, 2023. UFC 287, Pereira versus Adasagna 2, Miami, Florida. The rematch is set. Herrera puts his newly won middleweight title on the line against the man he took it from

just a few months before at Madison Square Garden in Israel Adasanya. But Saturday night, time for talking is done. I'm going to show him my fighting spirit. And you all know I have that shit. On Saturday, what is most important to you? Is it about regaining the UFC title and being world champion again?

It just simply beating up. I'm coming for his head. This fight, like I've said, this is my eight-mile moment. This is it. One more shot at this. I put everything on my back. I've done everything in my past.

to make sure I do the worst thing to this man this weekend. I'm done with this talking shit. You guys want to hear me talk or you want to hear me fight? He did this in the last three lundas. He said the same thing, and he not did this the past three fights. He said the same things and resolved that. It doesn't matter. It don't even understand what I said.

Not understand what you said. What's going to happen this weekend is we're going to fight and see who the best man is at the end. He makes me laugh. He makes me laugh. In dramatic, in violent fashion. fashion, the last stylebender gets his revenge and knocks out Pereira four minutes into round two. It would go down as one of the most iconic knockouts and celebrations in UFC history.

It would also be the last time Pereira would compete at middleweight. July 29, 2023, U.S. 29th, 2023, U.S. 291, Corier v. Gachi 2, Salt Lake City, Utah. Alex Pereira officially makes the move to 205 pounds as he makes his light heavyweight debut against top-ranked fighter and former champion Jan Bolovich. Obviously, Jamal Hill has vacated the belt, so I'm curious, do you view this as the number one contender fight for a possible fight for a vacant title?

With a certain, yeah, I'm going to do this lot. My focus is this a lot, but, with, we're going to this is a cinduron. Surely the focus, I mean, everything's pretty much the riding is on the way. wall. Obviously, my focus on this fight, but winning this fight, let's go for the championship. Pereira wins a hard-fought, competitive split decision.

I was incredibly impressed by that, and I'm just generally incredibly impressed by Alex Pereira and sort of what he's been able to do at this point in his career. Like, this man, I know you said it on the on the post show or on the presser show, Jed, because I tweeted it. But like Alex Pereira is speed running a potential Hall of Fame UFC career in record time in a way that I've really never seen anyone ever do. it and it's absolutely absurd when you think about it because less than two years ago, this man was fighting the immortal Andreas Michaelitis as just like this weird novelty. We're like, hey, maybe this will just be like a fun thing we can talk about until he inevitably

loses and we don't get the Izzy fight. And now like less than two years later, I think it's like 20 months. UFC belt hanging above his mantlepiece, can call himself the only middleweight to beat Izzy in MMA in the UFC. One of only two light heavy weights now to beat, yeah. Nice. To beat Yombo Kovitz in this division's post-Jones era. And he's one win away from becoming the eighth two-division champion in UFC history.

Like that's a hell of a resume for anyone, much less someone who has less than 10 MMA fights on their resume. Like it's nonsensical. It's ridiculous. But tonight was impressive, man. Like Yombovitz is no one's fool. And Alex Pereira went in there. I thought he showed really improved takedown defense. He stopped eight, five of those eight takedowns.

pretty decent submission defense in that first round. He was thrust into a really tough spot. Oksboro versus Year is the fight this division deserves, right? Like, that's the title fight. That is a fight-of-the-year contender on paper, if I have ever seen one. Those two Tasmanian devils are just carry like the best version of unpredictability and the death touch and all of it.

Like that is a matchup that screams chaos. November 11th, 2023, UFC 295, Prahashka versus Pereira, New York, New York. Poetan returns to Madison Square Garden as the main event as he battles former champion Yuri Prahashka for the vacant light heavyweight title. Alex, with this fight, with a win now in the title, you would be part of a select group of athletes that have been champions into weight divisions, especially the first Brazilian since Amanda Nunes,

A record also because of seven fights. Would you look at other records? Is it important for you? Is that record chasing in any capacity? What other records are you chasing? Well, when I came in the organization, my intuito was to me to become a champion, to do the last luts that I could do to get to be.

When I came into the UFC, my goal was to be a champion. That's what I wanted to be, and I was able to accomplish that. And then it just kind of happened naturally, if you think about it, I mentioned the middle, it got hard for me. I've spoken about that you all know about the weight and how it's so much better right now. And it happened now I'm having an opportunity to be a champion in another division. I don't know after that.

We'll see what happens. Pereira wins by TKO four minutes into round two. And now becomes a two-weight world champion in the UFC. Well, it's It's a result of of a job well made in these long

longs years, and this this conquest now, it's always difficult, but very important

it's where I can't show a little for the people that, at least I don't think it means a lot to me

to be able to conquer this after so many years of training and dedication and also it's very important for me to

be able to show to everybody you know what I mean everybody know where I came from in my humble beginnings. So to get here and achieve this, it's a big achievement for me. January 13, 2024, UFC Vegas 84, Ancolaev versus Walker 2, Las Vegas, Nevada. Ankelyev is set to rematch Johnny Walker as the main event at the UFC Apex.

They had originally faced each other the previous October, but the fight was ruled a no contest after an illegal need to a downed opponent and a questionable stoppage from the ringside physician. Ancolaev wins via vicious uppercut knockout midway through round two. Alex, I would want to say, to say, to address your championship. My message to Alex is simple.

Before he claims that he is legit champion in this division, he has to face me. Number one contender, well-rounded fighter. Once he does that, he can claim he's a fodder, but first we have to settle it. April 13, 2024, UFC.C. 300, Pereira versus Hill, Las Vegas, Nevada. In a surprise move by the UFC, Dana White announces that Alex Pereira will headline the landmark event. His opponent, former champion, and the man who defeated Pereira's mentor Glover Tashira, Jamal Hill.

I see the interesting choice of water bottle right there. Can you speak a little bit more about it? you know just a getting acquainted with the visual that I plan on seeing on Saturday night I'm gonna hold that head up high I'm gonna do I'm gonna make him remember this moment here when I'm gonna enter into octagon when you're talking my music he will remember this moment I'll make him remember this moment when I'm gonna get in my walkout about to go into the Ottega and my music is playing I'll make him remember this moment

write it down take a picture I don't give a fuck we getting it in we getting it in When you step in there with me, ain't nothing to talk about, ain't nothing to say, it's all right here and I'm on your ass. Herrera knocks out the former champion in devastating fashion three minutes into round one. June 29, 2024, UFC 303, Pereira versus Prohachka 2, Las Vegas, Nevada. Originally announced to be the return of Connor McGregor, Perera and Prohachka, accept the late-notice main event booking after McGregor is forced to withdraw, due to a toe injury. Uh-potan, Yuri said they're using some sort of sorcery, some magic, some things from the beyond.

That's what Yuri said about you. What would you have to comment on that? I think we, everyone has a spirit. I think we don't live just, just of corpse, uh, I think maybe he don't have been found him. Like I said, on the, I don't have a coupon. You know, I think everyone has a spirit. We don't just live in a body.

If he hasn't found his spirit yet, it's not my fault. After Pereira drops the former champ and nearly finishes at the end of round one, the champion stops Pajcha with a brutal headkick only 13 seconds into round two. And the high kick that you landed, did you come off the stool in a second knowing you were going to throw that? Or was it just something you saw at the moment? No, actually, I was in the locker room talking to people? My coach's and he showed me the veto of GEDYRUMMING up. And I saw that he was trying to counter attack the calf kick, defend and counter.

But I told Pliny that he was doing the wrong timing. The timing was not good. So I saw that he was too focused on not taking that kick. And he was keeping hands down and leaving the head, you know, exposed. So I told him, I said, I want to explore the high kick. October 5th, 2024, UFC 307 Pereira versus Roundtree, Salt Lake City, Utah. Alex Pereira is set to main event his third pay-per-view of 2024, his fourth headlining pay-per-view in the last 12 months.

He will face surging striker, Collillo Roundtree, for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. A lot of fans have deemed you the glory kickboxer killer and that Alex Pereira is sort of of your final boss. He's the King Kupa in order for you to finish this story of being the glory kickboxing killer. What would that mean to you if Dana on top of that gets to wrap that belt around your waist? Yeah, I mean, this is what I've been working for. You know, when I found, when I started in MMA, everything, when my life changed, it all happened kind of like by accident. But I stayed strong. I stay dedicated. And I've always had a belief that, you know, this was possible. So now I'm finally here and I'm like living in this reality that was a dream.

So what it means to me is everything. It's that time that I've always seen in my mind. You know, like now it's here. And so I'm, I feel great, man. Like, I'm ready for this. In the highly entertaining bout, Alex Pereira wins by devastating fourth round knockout. This lot was very difficult, put, there. Today, it was very difficult, but I think the most difficult

was the most difficult was my preparation for this lute, many, not. In fact, my team, know, all my team know, everything that I passed. When they marked this for me, I was in Brazil, and I had a difficulty to go to the States United, gave a problem in my visit. I was going to, all the days, in the consulado,

to see my visit was ready, and they not had an email for me. So, boy, I'm not a month for a lute, I, I, I was going to the States,

but I was going a little, I was a little, I was a body, the blood of the of the garganta, I had to

take an antibiotic for five days, then I could make a voyage, it was really, I'm showing how I was

really tough, but, only my team really knows how tough this camp was. I went through a lot of stuff

that nobody really knows about, so, I was in Brazil about over a month ago. I had some problems with my visa. I was going over to the consulate every single day trying to see if my password was ready to be picked up. Finally made it back to the U.S. spent about a week in Connecticut, been here for three weeks. In that meantime, I was on antibiotics. I had a fever. I had a bad throat. And a lot of things happened. Also going back when I was in Brazil, I heard my rib.

There was an injury that I had about a year ago and it came back. So that was also something that I was dealing with. And then when I came here, my throat was still bad. I went to the doctor, had another round of antibiotics. I even recorded a video at the time that, you know, I say in a video that I would show it if I won. So we can put that out at some point. But, you know, I went through a lot. And also the ligament in my toe that was hurt for UFC 300, that came back.

So there was a lot of things that I went through. this camp and you know the tough it was a tough fight but it was a tough lead up to this fight and i actually feel really proud of myself at this moment October 26th 2024 ufcc tporea versus holloway abu dhabi maga man ankylaif is set to face top 10 ranked alexander rackage ankelaif wins by decision he promised coming into this fight he wouldn't shoot a single take down he didn't do it um Is this enough to get Alex Pereira, his title fights, the second longest unbeaten streak in the history of this division behind John Jones? I would have to say yes.

Maggan, Anakalib gets a big win. I'm sure we'll get questions about that. Dana White, I didn't really know what to read about that because he was basically asked, you set up perfectly with all the accomplishments and what you said and then what he said and gets a win. It's a fine win over Alexander Rackett. She didn't blow the doors off anybody, but it was a fine win, and he probably should be next. but what Dana was asked, she's like, yeah, sounds like that could happen. But didn't, wasn't like, yeah, 100%. This is what's what the deal is. But Magamundankalaya gets a victory.

Him losing would have been really, really bad for him. And yes, Jed. I'm going to go ahead and say, this was a good outcome for Magerman Ankelyev, which I am frankly stunned by. On the watch party, we were like, well, because on the watch party, we were like, well, it's curtains. He didn't have like, I'm not saying the performance was amazing. Good, solid win in a solid fight.

a forgettable but consummate professional performance. But like based on what our vibes were the thought, I assumed that coming into this postpresser, Dana would maybe not shit on Ankleyev outright, but just be like, I talked to the kid beforehand, told him he needed an impressive win, didn't get it or not going to.

The fact that he didn't just outright say, no, that is not a guarantee that Uncle I was going to get there, but I thought he'd be much more in jail than he is coming in off that. And I don't know what the reason is. I don't know if it's just because Dana was way too excited to attack Francis Ngano for reasons unknown. I don't know if Dana is wanting to just keep his options open for Pereira and where we're going from there. And just doesn't want to commit because maybe they do ultimately decide that there's enough public interest in this fight building.

Maybe they even just looked at and said, well, Pereira can probably beat this guy so we can be less concerned about this. Whatever it was, I anticipated things to be much worse for Encliffe in that postpressor. And it wasn't a parade, it wasn't kittens and puppies, but it was fine. And so honestly, he should be like, okay, I kind of snuck away with one there. Let's see if I can make, let's see if I can get lucky and get my title fight. March 8th, 2025, UFC 313 Pereira versus Ancolaev, Las Vegas, Nevada. The UFC light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira, is set to defend his title against the surging 21-1-1 Magamette Ancolaev as the main event inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

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