It’s MMA, so something can occur, Ali Abdelaziz acknowledged. However absent some fluke, he says the subsequent UFC mild heavyweight title struggle is all however locked up.
It’s been the consensus, anyway, that 205-pound champ Alex Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) will tackle Abdelaziz consumer Magomed Ankalaev (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) subsequent, however Pereira has made some intimations that the UFC may need different concepts. And Abdelaziz thinks there could be slightly gamesmanship occurring from the Brazilian.
In that case, it’s for naught, is what the longtime supervisor surmises.
“Alex Pereira can say no matter he needs. That man is such a killer,” Abdelaziz mentioned. “He fought three fights in 167 days. Who am I to say – he can not say no matter he needs? He’s having enjoyable. Ankalaev’s having enjoyable with him. However the one factor that’s going to matter – him and Ankalaev are going to be locked in a cage.
“… Alex Pereira is combating Magomed Ankalaev subsequent. The UFC – the whole lot will be maneuvered, get delayed. Within the UFC, one of the best struggle with one of the best. It’s the one promotion on this planet, I can let you know this – for those who hold profitable, you get to struggle for a title. There’s not an excessive amount of politics within the UFC.”
The politics bit could be up for debate, however by and enormous, the profitable factor usually holds true. And that’s all Ankalaev has performed, actually, since his UFC debut – a stunner of a submission loss with only one second left in opposition to Paul Craig. However after a nine-fight tear, he received a title shot – and a draw with Jan Blachowicz for the vacant belt.
He put himself again in place after a knockout of Johnny Walker and a call over Aleksandar Rakic this previous October, and Abdelaziz mentioned the Russian is assured he can take Pereira out. Pereira, a former middleweight champ, defended his mild heavyweight title 3 times in 2024 and have become arguably the UFC’s largest lively star.
“I believe this is likely one of the most intriguing fights,” Abdelaziz mentioned. “Ankalaev, what he advised me, he mentioned, ‘I’m not wrestling with this man. I’m going to indicate all people why, if (Israel Adesanya) can knock this man out, Izzy can not even wash my boots in hanging. I’m going to knock Alex Pereira out and I’ll get the respect I’ve been deserving for a very long time.’ I imagine it’s an extended take a look at to strike with this man and knock him out, however I imagine Magomed Ankalaev can do it.”
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