Ali Abdelaziz thinks that harder tests are waiting for Magomed Ankalaev as soon as he comes to Alex Pereira for the second time.
Ankalaev had long been tipped to reach the light heavyweight throne of the UFC, and he realized that goal in Las Vegas last March.
In the main event of UFC 313, Ankalaev brought the reign of Pereira to an end after three successful defenses, achieving some Jiri Prochazka, Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr. In 2024, not in 2024 had not been received in 2024 by dismissing the dreaded knockout artist.
An immediate rematch was quickly presented, and that will finally perish when Ankalaev vs Pereira 2 heads UFC 320 on October 4.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Ali Abdelaziz sees Carlos Ulberg as a greater threat to Magomed Ankalaev than Alex Pereira
Pereira had enjoyed a dominant stint on the throne before he met Ankalaev. After he had eliminated Procazka to claim the throne, 'Patan' quickly finished Jamahal Hill before he became better 'BJP' in a rematch.
In the last successful defense of the former middleweight and light heavyweight champion, battered rowree Jr. In a brutal finish at UFC 307 to come from behind after a slow start.
Despite those results and the relatively competitive nature of their five -round fight earlier this year, the manager of Ankalaev apparently does not see the Brazilian former kickboxer as a major threat to the status of the Russian.
However, he will not say the same for the competitioner two places under Pereira on the light heavyweight ladder.
“I want to see him (Ankalaev) that Alex Pereira eliminate the following fight,” Abdelaziz told Submission Radio. “I want to see him defending the title and the Cleaning Division (off).
“At the moment there is many contenders that he has not fought. He has not yet fought Jiri, he has not yet fought against Jamahal, he has not fought … Carlos (Ulberg).
“Carlos, I am a big fan of this guy,” Abdelaziz continued. “I think he's really good, to be honest. I think he is very underestimated.
“I think Carlos might be a more difficult fight for Ankalaev Dan Alex Pereira.”
Ulberg is confronted with Dominick Reyes on UFC Perth, looking for his claim for a first title shot by setting his ninth consecutive victory. The 12-1 Kiwi recently improved from Jan Bachowicz through decision in London.
Magomed Ankalaev plans to put a definitive end to Alex Pereira Feud
Before Ankalaev looks ahead to challenges from other top names in the 205 pound division, he first has to survive Pereira's shot at Revenge on 4 October in Las Vegas.
After a close first fight that some even gave 'Poatan', the Dagestani champion wants to place an exclamation mark on the Rematch.
Ankalaev undoubtedly wants to leave against Pereira the second time, and for that reason he hopes that nothing presents himself as a potential excuse for the Brazilian in the aftermath.
“I think the Rematch will be much easier than the first fight,” Ankalaev told Sport24ru.
“Statistics always show that fighting me in a rematch is very dangerous. I think we will again prove that it is not a good idea to face me in a rematch.
“I don't think we'll have problems somewhere,” Ankalaev went on. “I actually want him to be 100 percent in this fight, so there are no questions about the outcome.”