Magomed Ankalaev is so convinced that he will beat Alex Pereira on UFC 313 that he later opened the door to an immediate rematch in 2025.
The tension between UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira and incoming opponent Magomed Ankalaev builds nicely, with both men promising to finish the other in a devastating way.
Earlier this week, Ankalaev sent another ominous warning to Pereira, teased that he came to “change this man's face” and scores a first round-stop-dus What happens afterwards when we hear 'and new' in Las Vegas?
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Magomed Ankalaev says he will decide whether Alex Pereira deserves Rematch
If it was not already clear, Magomed Ankalaev is extremely sure that he will win on Saturday evening; So much so that he already talks about the possibility of an immediate rematch.
Ankalaev spoke with media after an open workout session in Las Vegas, that he will indeed offer 'Patan' the chance to recapture his light heavyweight title after UFC 313.
“When it comes to me, I never said no to rematch,” he explained through a Russian translator.
“There are already two, I think in my career that someone said they would earn a rematch right away and I gave them that chance … so if it comes to me and I the one who decides if he gets the chance for a rematch immediately, I will of course say yes.”
Ankalaev has so far been involved in two immediate rematches in his UFC career; Those against Ion Cutelaba (both TKO wins) and Johnny Walker (no match, followed by a TKO victory).
Strangely enough, those comments from the incoming LHW title Challenger have divided the wider MMA community.
On the one hand, fans of the Russian comments such as 'I respect this enormously' and 'this big Ank child is a monster', while others claim that such a huge decision will be left exclusively to Dana White and the UFC.
'Pretend he has already won. He will be lucky to make the arena consciously, “wrote one fan, add with another:” There is no way in which they don't have a rematch date in mind when Chama is going down. '
I don't think he will have an option. Alex Pereira gets 100% an immediate rematch if he loses on Saturday.
– Zach “🅂🄲🄷🅄🅉” Schumaker (@_Schuz_) 3 March 2025
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Magomed Ankalaev rejects Alex Pereira's $ 200k title Fight Wager
In an Instagram video that was posted earlier this week, Alex Pereira Magomed Ankalaev offered a bet for their upcoming title setup – with no less than $ 200K on the line.
“Because you are so sure that you win $ 200,000, the charity of the winners will of your choice … Win or lose this help people in need. It's in your hands. “
Ankalaev has now responded to Pereira's bet and has rejected the offer on the basis of religious grounds.
“As a Muslim you know that gambling is forbidden in Islam, and also as Muslim every year I have to give 2.5% of my wealth in charity. This is one of the five pillars of Islam,” he wrote on X.
“Many children around the world are in need and we can do things after the fight, but we don't have to make it known.”
As a Muslim you know that gambling is forbidden in Islam, and also as Muslim every year I have to give 2.5% of my wealth to charity. This is one of the five pillars of Islam.
Many children around the world are in need and we can do things after the fight, but we don't have to publish it https://t.co/5rxfhehw3n
– Magomed Ankalaev (@ankalaevm) 3 March 2025
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During a recent episode of the UFC 313 Embedded Series, Ankalaev was asked if it was difficult to accept the Pereira title fight while observing Ramadan.
“Yes, it was very difficult. But there were no other options. It was an opportunity and we take it. '
UFC 313: Pereira vs Ankalaev will go live from Las Vegas on Saturday 8 March.
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