Ankalaev Taunts: “Pereira Will Go Down, No Chance of Waiting for Points”

The light heavyweight division is heating up once again as Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira prepare to settle unfinished business at UFC 320. Their first encounter, a technical and strategic fight at UFC 313, ended with Ankalaev walking away as the new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion via unanimous decision — a result that left fans divided and Pereira hungry for revenge.

Now, with the rematch locked in, the trash talk has started to escalate. Ankalaev, known for his calm demeanor and measured approach to fighting, surprised many with a bold statement directed at the former two-division kickboxing champion.

“Pereira will go down. No chance of waiting for points,” Ankalaev declared in a recent interview with Russian media, signaling a change of tone and potentially a change of strategy for the highly anticipated fight.

From Technical Chess Match to a Promise of Violence

The first fight between Ankalaev and Pereira was a tactical battle that showcased both men’s high-level skills. Ankalaev’s patient wrestling and counterstriking neutralized much of Pereira’s lethal stand-up game. Meanwhile, Pereira — despite struggling with a hand injury and reportedly battling a fever — still managed to land several heavy blows that kept Ankalaev cautious throughout the five rounds.

Judges sided with Ankalaev’s control, awarding him the decision and the belt. But many fans felt the fight lacked the explosive moments expected from two of the division’s most dangerous finishers.

This time, Ankalaev says things will be different.

“I respect Alex as a fighter,” he said. “But respect doesn’t mean mercy. Last time, I played smart. This time, I’m going to finish him. He won’t hear the final horn. I’m not waiting for points. I’m going to put him on the canvas.”

Pereira: Calm, Focused, and Dangerous

Alex “Poatan” Pereira, a fighter built on precision, timing, and power, has been quietly working behind the scenes since losing the belt. Training footage recently surfaced showing him stuffing takedown after takedown in practice, a clear acknowledgment of what cost him in the first fight.

In an appearance on The MMA Hour, Pereira admitted he wasn’t at 100% in their first meeting.

“I was sick, I had problems with my hand. But I fought because I don’t back out,” he said. “This time, I’m healthy, I’m strong, and I know what to expect. If Ankalaev thinks he’s going to walk through me, he’s making a big mistake.”

The Brazilian remains one of the most feared strikers in the UFC. His knockout power at both middleweight and light heavyweight has been well-documented, and even in losing efforts, Pereira has never looked out of his depth. If anything, a fully healthy Pereira with a sharpened defensive wrestling game might be more dangerous than ever.

Styles Make Fights: The Classic Striker vs. Wrestler Narrative

What makes this matchup so intriguing is the stylistic contrast. Ankalaev’s Dagestani wrestling base, combined with a patient, methodical striking approach, makes him one of the most technically complete fighters at 205 pounds. He’s not a brawler — he’s a tactician, wearing opponents down, limiting their weapons, and winning by minimizing risks.

Pereira is the opposite. He thrives in chaos, where timing, explosiveness, and precision can end a fight in a single exchange. He doesn’t need five rounds. He doesn’t even need five minutes. All he needs is one clean left hook — a weapon that has put legends like Israel Adesanya, Jan Blachowicz, and Jiri Prochazka on notice.

Ankalaev’s bold claim that he’s going to finish Pereira rather than “wait for points” adds a new layer of intrigue. Does this mean the champion is going to take more risks? Or is it a psychological ploy, designed to lure Pereira into overcommitting?

High Stakes in the Light Heavyweight Division

The UFC light heavyweight title picture has rarely been this competitive. With former champions like Jiri Prochazka, rising contenders such as Jamahal Hill, and new blood like Nikita Krylov climbing the ranks, both Ankalaev and Pereira know that a loss could set them back significantly.

For Ankalaev, winning decisively would silence critics who called his first win “safe but boring” and cement him as the legitimate champion, not just the guy who out-pointed a fan favorite.

For Pereira, regaining the belt would put him back in elite company, potentially setting up blockbuster fights with other big names — and even re-opening talk of a move to heavyweight, something “Poatan” has hinted at in multiple interviews.

Ankalaev’s Confidence Could Be a Double-Edged Sword

While fans enjoy seeing a usually reserved fighter talk with more bravado, fight history is filled with examples of fighters who strayed from their strengths to “make a statement” — only to pay for it. Ankalaev’s smartest path to victory is still to control distance, mix his striking with takedowns, and neutralize Pereira’s knockout power.

If he truly intends to push forward aggressively, he’ll be stepping directly into the fire. Against someone with Pereira’s accuracy and counterpunching, that’s a dangerous gamble.

UFC analyst Daniel Cormier commented on Ankalaev’s remarks, saying: “I get it. You want to sell the fight, you want to prove something. But Pereira isn’t a guy you chase. If Ankalaev abandons what makes him special — his patience and game planning — he could walk right into a left hook that ends his night early.”

Mental Warfare Before the Octagon

The mental game in MMA is often as important as the physical. Fighters talk not just to hype the fight, but to plant seeds of doubt, create emotional reactions, or dictate the pace before a punch is even thrown.

By publicly promising a finish, Ankalaev might be trying to make Pereira think he’s coming in with a new, aggressive strategy — forcing the Brazilian to prepare for scenarios that may never happen. Conversely, Pereira might use this as fuel, expecting a more reckless Ankalaev and preparing to exploit the openings that could come with it.

The World Will Be Watching UFC 320

With all the storylines — a champion seeking validation, a challenger seeking redemption, and a division full of contenders waiting for their shot — UFC 320’s co-main event has all the ingredients of a fight-of-the-year candidate.

Whether Ankalaev truly presses forward or reverts to his tactical style, one thing is certain: both fighters understand what’s at stake. A dominant performance from either man could redefine the hierarchy of one of the UFC’s most historic weight classes.

And if Ankalaev delivers on his promise — putting Pereira down inside the distance — it won’t just be a title defense; it will be a statement that the Dagestani champion is entering the prime of his reign. If he fails and Pereira reclaims the belt, the era of “Poatan” continues — perhaps with even more chaos ahead.

For now, the countdown is on. The taunts have been thrown. The world waits to see which warrior will leave UFC 320 with the gold — and which one will leave with only regret.