Magomed Ankalaev Taunts Alex Pereira Leave the UFC, Switch to Boxing and Fight Usyk

Magomed Ankalaev has taunted Alex Pereira following the Brazilian’s recent victory as the UFC light heavyweight champion. The Dagestani fighter wasted no time in throwing verbal jabs, questioning Pereira’s place in the Octagon. According to Ankalaev, if Pereira truly wants to prove himself, he should step away from MMA and try his luck in professional boxing instead.

Ankalaev’s comments weren’t just an ordinary callout; they were a direct challenge to Pereira’s legitimacy as a champion. The Russian implied that Pereira had taken a shortcut to the belt and that he wasn’t the true king of the division.

Is Pereira a champion that fighters don’t recognize?

Despite being the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira still struggles to gain universal recognition within the division. Many believe his path to the title wasn’t as convincing as previous champions, given that he skipped past some of the division’s most dangerous contenders. Fighters like Ankalaev and Jan Błachowicz have long voiced their frustrations, claiming that Pereira has yet to prove himself against the division’s true elite.

This skepticism stems from the fact that Pereira was fast-tracked to the belt after his impressive run at middleweight, where he dethroned Israel Adesanya. However, his light heavyweight reign remains in question, especially in the eyes of contenders like Ankalaev, who see him as an outsider in their territory.

A Brutal Jab: “Go Fight Oleksandr Usyk!”

In a move that was both a taunt and a challenge, Ankalaev sarcastically suggested that Pereira leave MMA altogether and test himself in boxing against Oleksandr Usyk—one of the most skilled and decorated heavyweight champions in the world.

This wasn’t just an ordinary insult. It was a calculated dig aimed at Pereira’s background as a kickboxer. While Pereira is known for his world-class striking, Ankalaev’s message was clear: MMA is a different battlefield, and Pereira doesn’t belong in it. By bringing up Usyk, Ankalaev essentially mocked the idea that Pereira could hang with the best strikers in combat sports.

Fighting Usyk would be an impossible task for Pereira. The Ukrainian boxing champion is leagues ahead of any MMA fighter in pure boxing skill, and Ankalaev knows it. His message? “You’re not ready for me, let alone a guy like Usyk.”

Ankalaev’s True Intentions: A Mind Game to Force a Fight?

While his words seemed dismissive, many believe Ankalaev’s true goal is to provoke Pereira into accepting a fight. With his dominant wrestling, dangerous striking, and cold-blooded approach, Ankalaev has long seen himself as the rightful heir to the light heavyweight throne. By belittling Pereira, he’s trying to lure him into a fight where he believes he holds all the advantages.

It’s a classic psychological tactic in combat sports. Fighters often use mind games and public taunts to pressure their rivals into stepping inside the cage. And in this case, Ankalaev may be betting on Pereira’s pride and ego to force a showdown.

How Will Pereira Respond?

As a warrior with a champion’s mindset, Pereira is unlikely to let Ankalaev’s words slide without a response. The Brazilian has always been a man of few words, preferring to let his fists do the talking. However, this time, he might be forced to fire back—whether with words or inside the Octagon.

If Pereira takes the bait and accepts the challenge, fight fans could witness one of the most explosive light heavyweight clashes in recent memory. But if he chooses to ignore Ankalaev’s taunts, it may further fuel the criticism that his reign lacks credibility.

One thing is certain: this rivalry is far from over. Ankalaev has drawn a line in the sand, and now the ball is in Pereira’s court. Will he take up the challenge and silence the doubters, or will he let the criticism linger?

Pereira: An Accidental Champion or a Future Dominator?

The biggest challenge Alex Pereira is facing isn’t just Magomed Ankalaev’s mockery, but also how he is perceived by the top fighters in the UFC light heavyweight division. Despite being the champion, he still hasn’t escaped the shadow of his past—a kickboxer-turned-MMA fighter who was fast-tracked to the top after only a few fights.

This raises an important question: Is Pereira truly a well-rounded champion? Or is he simply a fighter with a unique striking style that worked well against his past opponents? When facing more well-rounded fighters with strong grappling, can Pereira hold his ground? Magomed Ankalaev firmly believes the answer is no.

Does Pereira Really Have to Fear Ankalaev?

There’s no doubt that Magomed Ankalaev is a dangerous opponent—a skilled striker with solid wrestling that could create serious problems for Pereira. He might bring challenges the Brazilian has never faced before inside the Octagon. However, it’s impossible to ignore the fact that Pereira possesses terrifying knockout power—one punch from him can end a fight in an instant.

If a fight between these two happens, it will be an explosive showdown—either Pereira proves he is a worthy champion, or Ankalaev dethrones the king and takes the glory he believes he deserves.