Magomed Ankalaev isn’t recognized for his trash discuss however he had loads to say when addressing Alex Pereira on Thursday in the course of the UFC 313 pre-fight press convention.
The normally soft-spoken Russian was virtually uncharacteristically vocal on stage whereas coping with a raucous crowd that was principally backing his opponent. None of it appeared to trouble Ankalaev a lot as he smiled by means of the boos and vowed to vary the chants by the point Saturday night time’s most important occasion is over.
“I’d wish to say that I see on this combat everyone seems to be towards me,” Ankalaev stated. “Everyone seems to be saying ‘Chama! Chama! Chama!’ However guess what? Chama time is over. After this Saturday night time, after the combat, you’ll all love me.
“The identical individuals which are saying Chama now are going to be saying No Chama! It’s Ankalaev time.”
After all, ‘Chama’ is a phrase that Pereira has made well-known throughout his gorgeous run by means of the UFC the place he’s been a two-division champion with three title defenses already below his belt within the gentle heavyweight division.
However regardless of his dominance, Pereira is barely favored to win in his newest combat with many believing he’s going through his greatest impediment but in Ankalaev.
With a 19-1 file with one no contest together with 10 knockouts and a background in fight sambo, Ankalaev seemingly has the scale and energy to present Pereira issues regardless of the place this combat goes. That’s one of many the explanation why he’s been championed because the true No. 1 contender within the division for fairly a while after he got here up quick in his earlier bid at changing into champion following a break up draw with Jan Blachowicz again in 2022.
That setback compelled Ankalaev to work a bit of tougher to get again to a different title shot and he believes Pereira ought to be pleased about that reality.
“I wasn’t upset in regards to the final Magomed Ankalaev: Alex Pereira ‘ought to say thanks to Dana White for safeguarding him … Chama time is over!’ combat,” Ankalaev stated. “I’ve no person responsible, it’s simply myself. We noticed the combat. The entire world noticed the combat however it occurred the best way it occurred. Now it’s an entire completely different ballgame. It’s a special combat, it’s a special opponent.
“ what? Actually, [Pereira] ought to say thanks to Dana White for safeguarding him this entire time. Now it’s going to be an entire completely different factor.”
Whereas the partisan crowd not often quieted down a lot to permit Ankalaev to talk, he did get just a few questions from the Russian media assembled — together with one query about beating Pereira so dangerous that he’s compelled to surrender his combat profession and return to his previous job working at a tire store in Brazil.
Ankalaev couldn’t assist however giggle at that one earlier than responding.
“We’re planning on completely dominating him on Saturday,” Ankalaev stated. “We’re going to make it possible for Chama has no probabilities on Saturday. 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.”
For all of the methods Ankalaev expects to win and stroll out of UFC 313 as champion, he’s not even considering what comes subsequent till he will get by means of Pereira.
As a result of Pereira has been such a dominant champion, he may doubtlessly warrant a direct rematch regardless of how the combat performs out however Ankalaev prefers getting the job achieved first earlier than he begins excited about that.
“For now we’re not concentrating on what’s going to occur afterwards,” Ankalaev stated. “Proper now, we’ve acquired a combat in entrance of us. Let’s go on the market, let’s win after which afterwards we’ll take into consideration who’s going to get the rematch or what.”
