‘I’m going to knock out Alex Pereira’… UFC champion challenged by 19-1 prospect after viral knockout of Jiri Prochazka

19-1 contender sends dire warning to Alex Pereira after UFC 303 KO

Ahead of UFC 303, there was speculation that 19-1-1 Russian light heavyweight prospect Magomed Ankalaev would be the one to get the next shot at Poatan and the 205-pound title.

Unsurprisingly, it took just seconds after Prochazka’s unconscious body fell to the ground for Ankalaev to post a series of threatening messages towards the Brazilian superstar.

“Congratulations champion, I’m very impressed,” Ankalaev acknowledged, before making his call crystal clear when he directly tagged both UFC president Dana White and ‘matchmaker extraordinaire’ Mick Maynard.

“But the Boss always says that this is the sport of opportunity and that I only want an opportunity and that I don’t need wrestling. I have enough punches to test your chin. I believe I will knock you out.

“All these guys in the Top 5 are out, I’m the best light heavyweight in the world, none of these guys are on my level and now I get to fight the champion and I believe he’s not as afraid of me as others.”

Ankalaev continued his appeal in several posts, claiming that he can finish Pereira without having to use his patented heavy wrestling style: “I don’t need to take him down, this guy has his chin gone, but I know he’s very dangerous.

“Two years ago Alex Pereira wasn’t ready to fight me, but I believe today he is the toughest fight in the division for me and I am the toughest fight in the division for him.”

The 19-1-1 prospect ended his online attack by stating that no matter when or where the light heavyweight title fight takes place, he will be ready for anything.

“Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, New York, Vegas doesn’t matter, anywhere, anytime, by KO, be ready, Alex.”

Magomed Ankalaev is currently the #2 light heavyweight in the world and is on a 10-fight winning streak including victories over Johnny Walker, Anthony Smith, Thiago Santos, Volkan Oezdemir and Nikita Krylov.

Luckily, it didn’t take long for both Pereira and White to respond to Ankalaev’s call after the devastating end of UFC 303.

Alex Pereira and Dana White react to Magomed Ankalaev’s call

While Joe Rogan asked during the post-fight interview if Pereira would consider a move up to heavyweight anytime soon, the Brazilian superstar later admitted that there is still a lot of work to be done in the 205-pound class.

“I don’t know what the limit is, I’m going to train, I’m going to be ready and I’m going to take the opportunities… I think I still have challenges (at light heavyweight), I want to continue defending my title, I want keep training and show results.”

Fortunately, both Alex Pereira and Dana White seemed open to the possibility of Poatan facing Ankalaev for his next title defense.

“I don’t know (but) we’ll see,” said White, who makes a habit of distancing himself from putting a rubber stamp on fight invitations so soon after an event, though it didn’t take long for him to change his tune: “I like it, there you have it, yeah.”

Pereira himself noted that “everyone deserves a fair chance” to fight for the title once they’ve earned their spot at the top of the UFC rankings, “But I’m not the person to ask that, you have to talk to Dana White – (I’ll fight) everyone.”

He later added: “For me it doesn’t matter”, and that “if I beat Ankalaev, they will say he is not the best man anymore.”

With his second-round knockout of Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303, Alex Pereira improved his professional record to 11-2.

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