UFC star teases Alex Pereira following ‘skinny guy’ Israel Adesanya by KO and asks Dana White for title fight

Magomed Ankalaev wants to fight for the title against Alex Pereira in his next UFC fight.

The 6’3″ Russian light heavyweight was undefeated in UFC since his first fight in Dana White’s promotion in March 2018.

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He defeated Oleksandr Rakic ​​at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, meaning his next fight will likely be for championship gold.

Alex Pereria is the current UFC light heavyweight champion, and Ankalaev cemented his status as the #1 contender with his win.

“Poatan” defended his belt three times in 2024 vs. Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prokhazka and Khalil Rowntree Jr with many MMA fans awarded him the status of fighter of the year.

Ankalaev won his fight against Rakic ​​by unanimous decision and told Pereira to “stop running away” in an interview with the UFC Hall of Famer after the fight. Daniel Cormier.

The 32-year-old shared a video of his upcoming opponent on Tuesday get knocked out Israel Adesanya.

“Alex Pereira, if this skinny guy makes you sleep, what do you think I can do to you,” he wrote.

“Mick Maynard (UFC Vice President), Dana White prepare the next meal for me.”

A video shared by Ankalaev shows Adesanya’s brutal knockout victory over Pereira in the pair’s rematch at UFC 287 in April 2023.

The two fought a year ago at UFC 281, where Pereira defeated “The Last Stylebender” by knockout in the fifth round.

In his UFC debut, Ankalaev was defeated by Scotland’s Paul Craig before going on a nine-fight winning streak.

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That ended when he drew with Jan Blachowicz in the main event of UFC 282 in December 2022 for the vacant light heavyweight title.

John Jones relinquished his light heavyweight belt after announcing he was moving up to heavyweight, but neither Ankalaev nor Blakhovych were able to capitalize on that opportunity.

Ankalaev’s next UFC fight against Johnnie Walker in October 2023 was ruled a no-fight after the Russian delivered an illegal knee strike while his opponent was disqualified.

However, he went on to win the rematch, knocking out Walker in the second round, before defeating Rakic.

Pereira has yet to respond to Ankalaev’s comments, but there’s no doubt that the UFC’s most active champion would have no problem putting his belt back on the line.

Jones defends his heavyweight belt against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 on November 17.

The clash of the couple will take place in the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York York City with both fighters rumored to be considering retirement after the fight.