Alex Pereira will hope that his potential rematch against Magomed Ankalaev is a complete contrast with their first meeting at UFC 313 in March.
After an extremely exciting regime over the UFC Light Heavyweight Division, the time of Alex Pereira at the top disappointed against Magomed Ankalaev on UFC 313 in March.
Ankalaev sailed to a unanimous decision victory after exhausting 'Patan' on the feet for the most part of the fight and dominated him in his own game.
Immediately after their fight the conversations about a rematch started, with UFC boss Dana White the fight.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Alex Pereira supported herself to win the title again by old rival
Although the conversations started almost immediately and the fact that the Russian champion stated that he wanted the fight to happen in August, his conversations recently proved, with Ankalaev yielding a negative update.
It was unveiled shortly after the fight by Joe Rogan that Pereira went into the fight with a broken hand and norovirus, and he probably takes some time to recover.
However, when that fight is booked, the Brazilian is supported to reclaim his title through his old kickboxing rival, Artem Vakhitov.
“I think Pereira was too focused on the Takedown defense, and that is why he could not let his own work happen and why he could not deliver his knockout pons,” said Vakhitov Bloody Elbow in an exclusive interview.
“I think the next fight, the rematch, he will be more open, and I am sure it will not go the distance. Alex has had the feeling that there is not much danger in the Takedowns, so now he can do his job clearly.
“It's hard to say, but I think yes (he will recover his title),” Vakhitov continued.
Artem Vakhitov still in conversations with the UFC after rejection of contracts
Vakhitov and Pereira have shared the ring twice, both score a victory on top of each other. After the victory of the Russian over the Contender Series of Dana White last year, it seemed a great opportunity that we could see the trilogy under the UFC banner.
Nevertheless, Vakhitov apparently rejected the UFC contract because they offered him too low a base salary.
However, he revealed to Bloody Elbow this Friday that he is still in negotiation with the promotion, with a future in the UFC that is still on the table.
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