Magomed Ankalaev has responded to the recent callout from Alex Pereira by accusing Pereira of “lying”.
Ankalaev and Pereira have long been tipped as the two best in the UFC light heavyweight division but circumstances have meant that the two have never met inside the Octagon.
Alex Pereira has claimed recently that those “circumstances” have been due to Magomed Ankalaev and his lack of enthusiasm to take on the Brazilian.
Periera claimed this in a recent YouTube video on his channel claiming, “the Russian didn’t want to fight me”.
“I don’t know the reason, if it was the location, if he didn’t want to fight,” Pereira said of Ankalaev. “He isn’t the champion, he can’t pick anything. It’s the opportunity that shows up and he didn’t want it. He has his reasoning, I don’t know what it is. But I came here to tell you I’m not scared of anyone. Everyone knows my history and everything I’ve done, not only in MMA, but in kickboxing as well. It’s obvious that I want to fight this guy.”
Magomed Ankalaev Fires Back-
Ankalaev was quick to try and set the record straight via X where he tweeted “@AlexPereiraUFC you are a liar. You said I turned fire down against you @DanaWhite, @MickMaynard2 never offer me a fight against you. I’m gonna make you eat your word after I handle my business.”
The business Ankalaev is referring to is his bout with Alexander Rakic at UFC 308 in late October whereas Alex Pereira will face Khalil Rountree 3 at UFC 307 in early October.
Despite the two having business to take care of they seem a little more focused on each other rather than the task at their hands.
If both prevail in October do you believe we will see Ankalaev and Pereira face off in a octagon?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
