Robert Whittaker Slams Alex Pereira: ‘You Can’t Let Another Man Control You!

Alex Pereira’s loss to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 has sparked widespread debate in the MMA community. Many fans and analysts expected Pereira to showcase his elite striking and add another dominant performance to his resume. However, the fight did not go as planned for the Brazilian powerhouse. Instead of an exciting stand-up battle, Magomed Ankalaev imposed his strategy, using relentless forward pressure and cage control to nullify Pereira’s strengths.

Alex Pereira Struggles Against Magomed Ankalaev

From the opening round, it became clear that Magomed Ankalaev had a game plan designed to neutralize Alex Pereira’s devastating striking ability. Although he failed to secure a single takedown despite multiple attempts, his ability to keep Pereira against the fence proved to be the deciding factor. By maintaining positional control, Ankalaev effectively shut down Pereira’s offensive arsenal and prevented him from landing any significant strikes.

Many observers believed that Alex Pereira would eventually find his rhythm and break free from Ankalaev’s suffocating pressure. However, as the fight progressed, the Brazilian seemed hesitant to engage. His signature kicks were present, but his usual aggressive punching combinations were missing. This passivity led to growing frustration among his supporters, who expected a more explosive performance from the former champion.

Alex Pereira Voices His Frustration

After the fight, Alex Pereira expressed his disappointment, not only in the result but in the way the fight played out. He criticized Magomed Ankalaev’s approach, arguing that excessive cage control should not be a primary factor in determining the winner of a fight. According to Pereira, the fight lacked the action that fans expect from high-level competition.

However, not everyone shared Pereira’s view. Many fighters and analysts argued that it is the responsibility of the competitor to find a way to escape unfavorable positions and impose their own strategy. One of the strongest voices in this debate was Robert Whittaker, who offered a direct and unfiltered response to Pereira’s complaints.

Robert Whittaker Challenges Alex Pereira’s Mindset

Robert Whittaker, a former middleweight champion and respected veteran, did not hold back when addressing Alex Pereira’s post-fight frustration. In his opinion, Pereira’s failure to adapt to Magomed Ankalaev’s strategy was the primary reason for his loss. Whittaker dismissed the idea that Ankalaev’s approach was unfair and instead emphasized that it is the responsibility of every fighter to avoid being controlled.

Whittaker pointed out that if cage control was such an easy tactic to counter, then Alex Pereira should have been able to break free and dictate the fight on his own terms. He also noted that Pereira’s lack of offensive output played a major role in his defeat. While Pereira was able to defend takedown attempts, the constant threat of being taken down may have prevented him from committing to his strikes fully.

Whittaker’s comments resonated with many fans and analysts who believe that adapting to different fighting styles is an essential part of mixed martial arts. Fighters must prepare for opponents who employ wrestling-heavy strategies, just as they must be ready for high-level strikers.

The Impact on Alex Pereira’s Future

The loss to Magomed Ankalaev was not just a setback for Alex Pereira’s light heavyweight reign; it also had major implications for his potential move to the heavyweight division. Many fans had speculated that Pereira could challenge Jon Jones in a super fight, but his defeat has significantly diminished that possibility.

Before UFC 313, there was growing excitement about a potential showdown between Alex Pereira and Jon Jones. The prospect of Pereira moving up in weight to challenge for a third divisional title had captured the imagination of fans. However, with Pereira now coming off a loss, those discussions have lost momentum. Instead, the focus has shifted to a possible fight between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall, the interim heavyweight champion.

Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall Becomes the New Focus

Tom Aspinall has been vocal about his desire to face Jon Jones, and with Alex Pereira now out of the title picture, that fight appears more likely than ever. Unlike Pereira, who primarily relies on striking, Aspinall is a well-rounded fighter with strong grappling and knockout power. His ability to fight at a fast pace for a heavyweight makes him a dangerous opponent for Jon Jones.

Jones, who has built his career on his ability to neutralize elite strikers, may have viewed Alex Pereira as a more favorable matchup. However, with Pereira’s momentum halted, Jones now faces a much more difficult challenge in Aspinall. The English fighter has demonstrated his ability to finish fights quickly, and his speed could pose problems for the aging champion.

Magomed Ankalaev’s Victory Shakes Up the Light Heavyweight Division

While much of the conversation has revolved around Alex Pereira and his missed opportunities, Magomed Ankalaev deserves significant credit for his performance. His ability to execute a disciplined strategy against one of the most feared strikers in the sport highlights his evolution as a fighter.

Despite criticism from some fans about his approach, Ankalaev accomplished exactly what he needed to do to win. He controlled the fight, limited Pereira’s offensive output, and secured a victory that positions him as a top contender in the light heavyweight division. Whether or not his style is exciting is irrelevant when the primary goal in mixed martial arts is to win.

What Comes Next for Alex Pereira

With the loss now behind him, Alex Pereira must decide how to move forward. Will he make adjustments to his game and improve his ability to handle fighters who rely on cage control? Or will he continue to rely on his striking and hope to avoid future opponents with similar styles to Magomed Ankalaev?

One possibility is that Pereira will focus on refining his grappling and clinch work. If he can improve his ability to escape pressure and dictate range, he could make himself an even more dangerous fighter. However, if he fails to make adjustments, he may struggle against other opponents who can replicate Ankalaev’s strategy.

Robert Whittaker’s comments serve as a harsh but valuable lesson for Pereira. In mixed martial arts, every fighter must take responsibility for what happens inside the cage. Complaining about an opponent’s approach does not change the outcome nor does it help in future fights. The best fighters are those who adapt and evolve.

The Bigger Picture

Alex Pereira’s loss at UFC 313 serves as a reminder that no fighter is unbeatable. Even the most dangerous strikers can be neutralized by a well-executed game plan. While his defeat may have ended discussions about a potential move to heavyweight, it does not mean that his career is over.

Pereira has already proven that he is capable of bouncing back from setbacks. His rise through the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions has been impressive, and if he can address the weaknesses that were exposed by Magomed Ankalaev, he may return stronger than ever.