Alex Pereira is happy with the place he’s come from.
Days after a revenge knockout of Magomed Ankalaev to reclaim the sunshine heavyweight title at UFC 320, “Poatan” returned to the tire store in Brazil he as soon as labored at earlier than changing into a fight sports activities famous person. The gesture was not solely a nod to his roots, however a response to Ankalaev repeatedly stating he would finish Pereira’s profession.
Watch Pereira’s go to beneath.
Within the lead-up to their first combat at UFC 313 this previous March, Ankalaev tweeted, “You simply signal your demise certificates. I’m gonna punish you for ducking me and I’m gonna make you appear to be a man work in a tire store, not skilled fighter.”
Ankalaev repeated the taunt at post-fight press convention, saying after he defeated Pereira, “Whether or not or not he stays within the sport or decides to return to the tire store, that’s going to be as much as him. He’s going to be the one which has to make that call.”
Their UFC 313 encounter ended with Ankalaev successful a unanimous determination and stopping Pereira’s streak at three consecutive title defenses. A rematch was later booked, with Ankalaev once more suggesting he would retire Pereira, however it was Pereira who emerged victorious this previous Saturday at UFC 320 by way of knockout in simply 80 seconds.
“As promised, I mentioned after the combat I used to be going to come back again to the tire store,” Pereira mentioned in his video. “Ankalaev was proper. We’re right here as we speak giving presence as at all times each time I come to Brazil I come to the tire store. That is it proper right here, everybody.
“Right here, this can be a place that has a really stunning story. Chama.”
