Alex Pereira once dominated the UFC light heavyweight division, a force few could challenge. However, that dominance crumbled in March at UFC 313, when Russian powerhouse Magomed Ankalaev outstruck him in a grueling five-round battle, putting relentless pressure on the Brazilian despite Pereira successfully defending every takedown attempt. Ultimately, that night at T-Mobile Arena, the former champ could not perform at his best and lost his title to Ankalaev by decision.
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Now, the two warriors will clash again for the light heavyweight crown in the main event of UFC 320, once more under the bright lights of T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This time, the rematch promises an even fiercer encounter than their first fight. Speaking recently to Renato Moicano, Alex Pereira said he fought at only “40 percent” during their previous bout, a statement Magomed Ankalaev dismissed as an “excuse.” With the fight just hours away, Pereira has once again updated fans on his current performance, signaling that the story is far from over.
Is Alex Pereira not at 100%?
In his appearance with Ag. Fight on YouTube, Alex Pereira discussed his preparation for the upcoming showdown, while reporters reminded him of his “40%” performance in his first clash against Magomed Ankalaev. “What happened there? Why weren’t you at 100%?” the reporter asked, and Pereira initially deflected, saying it was not the right moment to answer. However, he eventually revealed, “Obviously, I wasn’t at 100%, not even 50%. What you just said—40%, at least. And, well, it was still an even fight. So that gives me a lot of confidence, you know, knowing that I’m good today. And I can show what I know how to do.”
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The reporter pressed further, asking whether 80% or 90% could be “expected,” from him this week. In response, Alex Pereira said, “Yeah, 50% was already enough to win. But, well, 80% is even a bit risky. 80% is okay. There was 80%, that’s fine.”
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Despite this, Alex Pereira’s claim that he could topple Magomed Ankalaev at just 50% looks precarious on paper. ‘Poatan,’ a kickboxer famed for his explosive striking, wields his left hook like a lightning bolt, often keeping opponents at arm’s length while searching for that single fight-ending shot. Meanwhile, the Russian moves like a well-oiled machine inside the Octagon.
He blends potent striking with expert wrestling and precise control, dictating pace and exploiting openings like a chess master over multiple rounds. In a longer tactical battle, Ankalaev applies relentless pressure and adapts to the shifting battlefield around him, making him a formidable adversary.
Magomed Ankalaev calls out Alex Pereira for aggressive tactics
Alex Pereira may project the image of a fair competitor, yet that façade took a hit just weeks after his UFC 313 showdown with Magomed Ankalaev. Ankalaev’s coach accused the Brazilian of cheating, claiming the Brazilian had greased his body. “I think Glover Teixeira has experience in these matters,” the coach said, and this cast a shadow over Pereira’s reputation. As UFC 320 approaches, the tension between Pereira and Ankalaev has reached a boiling point.
Public animosity between the two fighters has intensified in the lead-up to their rematch, and Magomed Ankalaev now claims that Alex Pereira’s alleged greasing in their first fight made grappling against him an uphill battle. “I told my coach right away during the rounds that I felt like he was greased ,” Ankalaev said. He was just too slippery. These things happen in professional sport, I’m not accusing him of anything, but that’s just what I felt. I spar every day, I train every day, you can feel when people are slippery. It’s too much slippery. So I felt he was too greasy and that played a role also.”
Adding a new twist to the saga, Alex Pereira fired back, claiming that Ankalaev was the one trying to slip away, avoiding him during workouts at the UFC Performance Institute. Ankalaev has firmly denied these allegations, but the verbal sparring has only fueled the fire. Despite the swirling accusations and tension, UFC 320 will go ahead as scheduled. Can Pereira finally unleash his full 100% this time? Share your thoughts below.
Written by
Edited by
Deepali Verma