‘You’ll Be Back at the Tire Shop’ — Ankalaev Taunts Pereira Ahead of UFC 320

The tension between Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira has officially reached boiling point ahead of their highly anticipated UFC 320 rematch on October 4th. After Pereira boldly claimed that a loss in this fight would effectively end Ankalaev’s title hopes forever, the reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion wasn’t about to stay silent. Instead, he delivered a scathing and deeply personal response that has stirred up the MMA world.

Taking to social media, Ankalaev mocked Pereira’s life before fighting, firing back with:

“You’re right I’m not gonna have any say because you’re gonna be sleeping and on your way working at the tire shop again.”

The remark was a cutting reference to Pereira’s background, as the Brazilian once worked at a tire shop before rising through the ranks of kickboxing and eventually transitioning to MMA. By dragging up Pereira’s past, Ankalaev didn’t just clap back at his rival—he made the feud personal, igniting a psychological war in the lead-up to their rematch.

The Spark That Lit the Fire

It all began when Alex Pereira made headlines with a confident prediction about Ankalaev’s career trajectory. Pereira, who lost his light heavyweight title to Ankalaev in their first meeting, suggested that a defeat at UFC 320 would permanently derail the Russian’s championship aspirations.

“If Ankalaev loses, it’s unlikely he gets another title shot,” Pereira said.

The statement, though blunt, wasn’t entirely unfounded. The light heavyweight division is stacked with contenders like Jiri Prochazka, Jamahal Hill, and Jan Blachowicz, all eager to climb the ladder. Pereira’s claim was meant to highlight the cutthroat nature of the UFC, where second chances are rare.

But Ankalaev clearly saw it as more than a factual observation—it was a challenge to his credibility as champion. His fiery comeback demonstrated that he wasn’t willing to let Pereira set the tone unchallenged.

A Look Back at Pereira’s Tire Shop Days

Before he became a two-division Glory kickboxing champion and later a UFC world champion, Alex Pereira lived a very different life. Born and raised in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, Pereira came from humble beginnings. To make ends meet as a teenager, he worked at a local tire shop, all while struggling with personal challenges and even battling alcohol addiction at a young age.

It was martial arts—specifically kickboxing—that helped turn his life around. From the tire shop floor, Pereira rose to global stardom, capturing multiple titles in kickboxing and eventually transitioning to MMA, where he shocked the world by defeating Israel Adesanya to become UFC Middleweight Champion.

For many fans, Pereira’s story is one of resilience and inspiration. But in the cutthroat world of pre-fight banter, Ankalaev used this past as ammunition, turning an inspiring chapter of Pereira’s life into a weapon of mockery.

Psychological Warfare at Its Peak

By referencing Pereira’s pre-MMA life, Ankalaev did more than just fire back—he escalated the rivalry to a deeply personal level. Fighters often engage in trash talk, but when the insults touch on someone’s history or personal struggles, the stakes are heightened.

Psychological warfare is as old as combat sports itself. From Muhammad Ali’s verbal jabs to Conor McGregor’s mind games, the ability to get inside an opponent’s head is often seen as a tool just as important as striking or grappling. Ankalaev’s tire shop comment wasn’t just meant for the fans—it was meant to plant a seed of doubt in Pereira’s mind, to remind him of how far he has come and threaten to send him back there metaphorically.

Whether it works or not remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: this feud has become much more personal than before.

Fan Reactions to the Trash Talk

Unsurprisingly, Ankalaev’s comment has split opinion among MMA fans. On social media, some fans praised his savagery, calling it one of the coldest comebacks of the year. Others criticized the remark as unnecessarily disrespectful, arguing that Pereira’s journey from a tire shop worker to a world champion is a story to be celebrated, not mocked.

“Pereira literally worked his way up from nothing. That’s not an insult, that’s inspirational,” one fan wrote on Twitter.

Another countered: “This is the fight game. Ankalaev is showing Pereira that he’s not just going to sit back and let him talk. This is how rivalries are built.”

No matter which side fans take, the exchange has added even more intrigue to a fight card that was already stacked with anticipation.

Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher at UFC 320

Heading into UFC 320, both fighters face monumental stakes.

For Alex Pereira, the rematch represents redemption. Losing his light heavyweight title to Ankalaev was a bitter pill to swallow, and reclaiming it would not only restore his championship status but also cement his reputation as one of the greatest strikers to ever compete in the UFC. His legacy is already secure in many ways, but a second title reign at 205 pounds would elevate him to another level.

For Magomed Ankalaev, the fight is about validation. His first win over Pereira was significant, but some critics questioned whether Pereira had fought at his best. By defeating him again, Ankalaev can silence doubters, strengthen his grip on the division, and begin to carve out his place among the greatest light heavyweights of the modern era.

And now, with the trash talk heating up, the stakes extend beyond gold. Pride, legacy, and personal respect are all on the line.

A Battle Beyond the Octagon

The verbal exchange between Pereira and Ankalaev is a reminder of how MMA rivalries often transcend the physical. Fights are not just won with fists, kicks, and submissions—they are also shaped by confidence, intimidation, and mental resilience.

Ankalaev’s comment about Pereira’s tire shop days may not have any impact on Pereira’s actual performance, but it ensures that when the two men step into the Octagon, the emotions will be running high. For Pereira, the insult could serve as extra motivation. For Ankalaev, it’s a declaration that he won’t be bullied by words or predictions.

Conclusion: Fuel on the Fire

As the days tick down to UFC 320, the rivalry between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev has taken on a new, fiery intensity. What began as a bold prediction from Pereira has spiraled into a personal war of words, with Ankalaev’s sharp-tongued response cutting deep into Pereira’s past.

The fight was already one of the most anticipated of the year, but this added layer of drama has transformed it into must-see television. Fans aren’t just tuning in to see who wins the belt—they’re tuning in to see who wins the war of pride and who can back up their words under the bright lights of the Octagon.

One thing is certain: whether it’s Pereira’s redemption or Ankalaev’s validation, UFC 320 will not only determine the future of the light heavyweight division but also settle one of the most personal rivalries in recent memory.