Conversations between Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira for their UFC Light Heavyweight Title Fight Rematch apparently got stuck.
Immediately after Ankalaev Pereira has dethroned at UFC 313 to become the new light heavyweight champion, he accepted that an immediate rematch was the most likely outcome.
The Russian champion then expressed his desire to fight 'Patan' in August, but Pereira's injury revelation led to question marks regarding that date.
Nevertheless, Ankalaev raised fans while hinting that Chicago was set as the location with various cryptic messages about 'The Windy City'.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Magomed Ankalaev fears that Alex Pereira will retire
Although Magomed Ankalaev made different hints that the Rematch had been officially agreed, he recently worried with his function to Alex Pereira.
“Alex Pereira, do you still like fighting? I feel that you are ready,” Ankalaev posted on X.
With the comments of the 32-year-old, it seems that the Rematch is not official and negotiations are still taking place. Although 'Patan' is now 37 years old, there have been no signs that the Brazilian is retiring.
Pereira is currently in Japan, for an unknown reason, however, his fans have told that he will soon return to training, making it possible a little longer to fully recover his broken hand.
“Soon back to the training, tomorrow I will travel, but I'll already train, Chama,” said Pereira in a message about his Instagram story.
In anticipation of his fight against Ankalaev, Pereira received criticism from Daniel Cormier for his share in Sean Strickland's corner at UFC 312, because Cormier believed that it took too much time from his training schedule.
International Fight Week Headliner still not announced
Although the Rematch between Ankalaev and Pereira was probably not nominated by the promotion as a potential UFC 317 headline fight, it is still one of the big title fights that the UFC probably waits.
Pereira headed last year's International Fight Week card against Jiri Prochazka after Conor McGregor withdrew from his planned fight against Michael Chandler after just two weeks of cancellation period.
And now fans are becoming restless about this year's International Fight Week card, because it is planned on 28 June and no fights are still planned.