Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev don’t have anything left to do however battle.
This Saturday, Pereira places his gentle heavyweight title on the road in opposition to Ankalaev in a battle practically two years within the making. “Poatan” has been on a tear by means of the 205-pound division just lately, defending his belt thrice in 2024, and now faces arguably his most troublesome opponent in the principle occasion of UFC 313.
However on the ceremonial weigh-ins on Friday, Poatan was as centered as ever, attending in his now-traditional ceremonial headdress and delivering a ultimate warning to Ankalaev after their staredown.
“I feel this can be a nice problem,” Pereira mentioned through a Portuguese translator. “We’re speaking about an athlete who has been doing his work, however that is my time. Chama.”
That is Ankalaev’s second try to assert the sunshine heavyweight title having beforehand fought Jan Blachowicz to a draw of their vacant title battle at UFC 282. Nonetheless, Ankalaev was equally assured, smiling by means of his weigh-in and faceoff, and sending his personal assertion of intent for Saturday.
“I really feel nice,” Ankalaev mentioned by means of a Russian translator. “I’m going to eat this man. All of those individuals which can be booing me proper now, tomorrow they’re going to like me.”
Issues had been pleasant within the co-main occasion stare-down between Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev. The 2 beforehand fought at UFC 286 the place Gaethje gained a majority choice victory, and each promised an action-packed rematch.
UFC 313 takes place Saturday at T-Cell Enviornment in Las Vegas.
