Former rival, Israel Adesanya has come to the protection of Alex Pereira following his championship loss at UFC 313 — revealing on his scorecard, he had the Brazilian narrowly outpointing the newly-minted titleholder, Magomed Ankalaev.
Returning over the course of final weekend, Sao Paulo star, Pereira suffered the primary lack of his gentle heavyweight run in a grudge struggle with Russian standout challenger, Ankalaev.
And discovering himself on the unsuitable facet of a controversial unanimous choice (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) loss to the Makhachkala native, Pereira argued his capacity to defend takedowns ought to have led to his personal victory, and retention of his championship belt.
“Putting me up against the cage, he (Ankalaev) didn’t really do anything,” Pereira informed Joe Rogan throughout his post-fight interview via an interpreter. “Giving him the win with a gameplan like that, it incentivizes people to do that.”
Israel Adesanya defends Alex Pereira after loss to Magomed Ankalaev
And so far as historic rival, Adesanya is anxious, Pereira ought to doubtless have gotten the nod on the judges scorecards, and left Las Vegas along with his championship in tow.
“I had Alex (Pereira) winning but I’m not sure,” Israel Adesanya mentioned on his YouTube channel. “I’d have to look at it once more and rating the struggle correctly. The spherical two might need performed an element simply because he dropped him however then holding towards the fence I don’t actually bear in mind him getting any takedowns.
“It was a competitive fight back-and-forth,” Adesanya continued. “They’re both going to level up and I’m sure he’s going to get a rematch. Spin the block.”
And following claims a rematch is “probably” subsequent in line with UFC CEO, Dana White, having returned house in a single day, Ankalaev revealed negotiations have been already underway for him to struggle Pereira in a right away re-run subsequent.
Negotiations are already underway relating to a rematch,” Magomed Ankalaev informed, in line with Ushatayka. “It’s not yet known who will be next, but we agreed in advance, if they [Alex Pereira and his team] want a rematch then we are ready.”
