Newly-crowned mild heavyweight champion, Magomed Ankalaev has his sights mounted on a specific August date for his deliberate rematch with Alex Pereira following their UFC 313 conflict earlier this month — in a bid to lastly settle their long-standing variations.
Ankalaev, the present undisputed mild heavyweight titleholder, clinched the divisional crown earlier this month towards former two-weight champion, Pereira within the pair’s heated grudge match in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Nonetheless, not with out some controversy. Outstriking the Sao Paulo fan-favorite on the ft, which included a close to knockdown early within the conflict, Ankalaev emerged with a unanimous determination (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) triumph — successful the championship in addition.
And given the shut nature of their pairing, followers speculated a direct rematch between the duo can be booked within the close to future.
Magomed Ankalaev targets August title battle with Alex Pereira
With each combatants welcoming the possibility to face off subsequent of their respective returns to the Octagon, Russian star, Ankalaev confirmed this night that he’s focusing on a summer time return — notably in August to face the Brazilian for a second time this yr.
“August, but please #noVaseline,” Magomed Ankalaev posted on his official X account.
Ankalaev’s particular quest for “no Vaseline” comes off the again of claims from the Russian’s crew that Pereira “greased” throughout their UFC 313 title battle — ensuing of their failure to safe takedowns all through the 5 spherical grudge assembly.
“The sweat didn’t flow off his (Alex Pereira) body, it gelled up,” Shukhrab Magomedov stated. “That’s what it looks like on his body, too. Magomed (Ankalaev) said afterwards that he smelled like he had some ointment on and was sticky.”
