Magomed Ankalaev has revealed that negotiations are already underway for an immediate rematch with Alex Pereira.
It was only three days ago that Ankalaev dehydrated the dominant light-heavyweight champion with an impressive five-round display. Immediately after the fact that Pereira wanted to take revenge, but former champion Jiri Procazka also put his name in the hat in recent days.
Now it seems that the official conversations have started about a rematch, where Ankalaev says that he would like to give Pereira another chance. The Brazilian defended his title three times in six months and fought a fourth time in 11 on Saturday evening at UFC 313.
Magomed Ankalaev claims that Alex Pereira Rematch negotiations have started
Magomed Ankalaev returned to Dagestan last night for the welcome of a hero after spending a long period in America as MMA's top heel. The home fans in Makhachkala embraced their newest champion, making his first big appearance since he won the belt.
And speaking with the Russian media, Ankalaev explained that his next step was made almost for him shortly after his victory over Alex Pereira. “Negotiations are already underway about the rematch,” he said in a press scrum placed on YouTube by Ushatayka.
“It is not yet known who the next one will be, but we agree in advance that if they want a rematch, we are ready to do it again.”
Magomed Ankalaev immediately agreed to rematch Alex Pereira
Within moments of the end of the fight, fans shouted to see again seeing how close the margins were. Many thought that the champion could have gotten the 48-47 score cards better and were stunned by a 49-46 that indicated that Pereira had just won one round.
Ankalaev, to his honor, has never been removed to tell the media that he would like to do an immediate rematch. Speaking with Agfight in an interview after the fight on Fight Night, he said: “We will wait for the call from the UFC bosses. Will it be a rematch? No problem.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
“Without any hesitation [I would take that fight]… as long as I am an active hunter, I want to become a champion and I believe I will retire with that belt. I don't believe someone will take it from me.
“If there is no injury, I could easily do three-four battles a year … I don't know we should see and think because I don't see anyone at the moment who can challenge me, we have actually cleaned up the division.”
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