Wishful thinking? Pereira “can’t imagine Ankalaev beating Rakic” at UFC 308

Alex Pereira continues to criticize Magomed Ankalaev on social media as the Russian light heavyweight prepares to fight Aleksandar Rakic ​​at UFC 308.

Since the UFC booked Pereira against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 instead of Ankalaev, there has been a heated back and forth between the 205-pound champion and the No. 2 contender. According to Ankalaev and his manager, this was a sign that Pereira was scared.

“Ankalaev was more of a nap,” Pereira replied.

“Poatan” is normally an all-comers champion, but has since said that all of these backtracking accusations from Magomed have made him reconsider whether to agree to a fight against the former Akhmat FC champion. Is he just trolling? Or use some of that “magical juju” to influence reality?

“I wanted Ankalaev to win so he could wait a little longer,” Pereira wrote in an Instagram story after watching Rakic ​​and Ankalaev clash. “But I can’t imagine him beating Rakic.”

According to Ankalaev, that could also be the opinion of the UFC matchmakers and brothers.

“I think the only reason the UFC chose him over me is to defend their champion,” he said at the UFC 308 press conference. So we’re going to face him, turn him around and then move on to the champion.”

He needs to do more than just win if he wants Pereira next. During interviews at fight week’s media day, Magomed said the UFC “basically” promised him a title shot with a win over Rakic, but “it has to be a good fight.”

No pressure!

As for Alex Pereira, he may be a little worried about facing a wrestler as wild as Ankalaev. Or maybe he has bigger fights ahead. In another Instagram story, he shared a screenshot of a Facetime call with none other than Jon Jones.

“Even Dana White would be curious about what we talked about…,” Pereira wrote.