Preparation to combat Alex Pereira is already a tough task, but training for 'Patan' and at the same time Ramadan observes the challenge for a whole new level.
UFC 313 is around the corner, with the upcoming PPV card with head by light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira against rising number one competition, Magomed Ankalaev.
Although Ankalaev is sure that this weekend he claims the title of 205 pounds, that does not mean that he is happy with fighting and at the same time perceives the religious holiday of Ramadan.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty images
Magomed Ankalaev 'begged the UFC' to move Alex Pereira Title Fight
In conversation with Sky Sports Nieuw -Zeeland earlier this week, Magomed Ankalaev admitted that before he drew on the dotted line to fight Alex Pereira, the UFC had asked if a more suitable date was available on the calendar.
“It was a very difficult decision, and we have argued a bit a bit for the UFC that there might be a possibility to hold it and then move it to another date and to keep me as number 1.”
However, the promotion continued to urge Ankalaev to face 'Patan' on 8 March, and the 20-1-1 slightly heavyweight competition was not about to let this title channel slip away from him.
“Since a team had to ensure that this is the kind of opportunities we have been to for so long, and for now to let it go, it would not have been a good choice.
“So we decided that although it is the holy month for us, we have to do this opportunity and do the best with what we have.”
That said, Ankalaev still calls the situation 'problematic' for an important reason.
Magomed Ankalaev begged the UFC to move his fight to another date because of Ramadan, while held him as the number 1 candidate. 
“It was a very difficult decision, and we have argued a bit for the UFC that there might be a possibility to hold it and then move … pic.twitter.com/1xckbnfvou
– Red Corner MMA (@redcorner_Mma) 6 March 2025
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Magomed Ankalaev explains why it is a 'problem' to fight during Ramadan
Although Ankalaev does not follow strictly Ramadan, because he occasionally has to break his fast to successfully make weight for Friday afternoon, he still calls the timing of his world title a 'problem'.
“It is no problem that the fight happens. The problem is that it is during Ramadan; In this month we don't have to fight, we have to worship, we are not there to do one of these activities that we usually do for a normal camp.
“The biggest problem is that we have to adjust our schedule. This is something that we do as athletes. This is the kind of chance that you cannot leave. The UFC decided that this was when the fight had to happen, and we had to continue and jump on it. “
The incoming title Challenger concluded that, despite the fact that it is “not ideal that it is during the holy month”, he confirmed that his team “does everything we can and hope that we will make it after the fight.”
UFC 313: Pereira vs Ankalaev will go live on Saturday 8 March from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
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