When it comes to the promotion's decision not to grant Magomed Ankalaev a title shot, UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira thinks the Russian only has himself to blame.
Pereira is currently in Utah ahead of his third defense of the 205-pound belt, which he captured last November to secure a rapid rise to double-champ status on MMA's biggest stage.
Following knockout wins over Jamahal Hill and Jiří Procházka this year, many expected "Poatan's" next assignment to be dealing with a new kind of threat — the grappling strength of Ankalaev.
But despite the Makhachkala native sitting at #2 in the rankings and going unbeaten across his last 12 fights, the promotion went in a different direction. At UFC 307 this Saturday night, it will be the #8-ranked Khalil Rountree having his shot at unseating Pereira.
During a recent interview with Kevin Iole, Pereira looked ahead to his third outing in quick succession, which headlines this weekend's pay-per-view inside Salt Lake City's Delta Center.
One of the main topics entering fight week remains the promotion's choice of opposition for the Brazilian ex-kickboxer. "Poatan," however, believes Ankalaev's pursuit of blame can go no further than his own doorstep.
Honestly, it’s not my fault that Ankalaev have such a boring style of fighting that nobody wants to watch, that the guys don’t want to put him in," Pereira said. "I’m ready to fight the guy. He’s ready to fight me, so whenever they put that fight. People talk about my ground (game), so there’s a good chance I’m going to show everybody.
Talk of a supposed lackluster style has long been used against Ankalaev during his rise. But having brutally knocked out Johnny Walker this past January, the Dagestani will hope to further dismiss that narrative when he shares the Octagon with Aleksandar Rakić at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi late next month.
Pereira, meanwhile, has frequently expressed a willingness to meet the challenge of Ankalaev. Before potentially focusing on that next, he must avoid the power shots of "The War Horse" on Oct. 5.
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