One major reason Alex Pereira rejected Magomed Ankalaev’s UFC 308 title challenge

Alex Pereira defeated former champion Jamahal Hill at UFC 300. Following his dominant victory, Poatan hinted at a potential switch to the heavyweight division. Meanwhile, at UFC 308, No. 2 in the lightweight division Magomed Ankalaev challenged Pereira to a title fight.

However, Alex Pereira rejected the idea as he wants to fight sooner than UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi. Pereira also expressed his desire to make a quick turnaround and fight at UFC 301 in Brazil. It is very unlikely that Dana White will agree to Pereira’s demands to fight next month in May. Two-division champion Alex Pereira recently revealed the main reason behind rejecting Magomed Ankalaev’s callout.

“I don’t want to fight at the end of the year, I want to fight sooner, so maybe that shows [Ankalaev] won’t be ready. I don’t know why he said that, this guy is complicated,” said Pereira.

He then added, “If I have to fight there, I will, but if it’s not a date I want, then it’s not best for me. I can say no.”

With a successful title defense against Magomed, Alex Pereira could move up to heavyweight and potentially challenge Tom Aspinall. Aspinall has been very clear that he would also like to fight Periera inside the octagon. Magomed Anakalaev was not present at UFC 300 to witness Periera’s victory over Hill, but he released a video claiming UFC offered him the main event fight.

Furthermore, Magomed claimed that he can knock out Periera if they are locked inside the cage. The only fighter to knock out Pereira was Israel Adesanya at UFC 287. But after that, Poatan rediscovered his form and became the new light heavyweight champion by defeating Jiri Prochazka.

Alex Pereira’s potential next opponent

Jiri Prochazka, Magomed Ankalaev, and Jamahal Hill—all of them want to challenge Pereira next for the undisputed UFC title. But with Poatan seemingly interested in switching weight classes, we can see Pereira facing a completely new opponent.

However, Pereira could stay in the lightweight division if Israel Adesanya moves up to this weight class. Poatan wants to avenge his loss against Izzy at UFC 287. After his victory over Jiri, Poatan did call out Izzy but failed to get any response from the ex-UFC champion.

“Hey Adesanya, come to Daddy,” said Periera after his win at UFC 295.

However, Israel Adesanya feels that the rivalry between him and Pereira is over after his brutal knockout win at UFC 287. It would be interesting to see who steps up to challenge Alex Periera next.