Fans Go Wild As Magomed Ankalaev’s Coach Claims Alex Pereira Cheated With Greasy Ointment At UFC 313

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A UFC Controversy That Shook the MMA World

Few things spark more debate in mixed martial arts than cheating allegations, and UFC 313 has now become the center of an explosive controversy.

image_67dd1d06daaee Fans Go Wild as Magomed Ankalaev’s Coach Claims Alex Pereira Cheated with Greasy Ointment at UFC 313

In a shocking turn of events, Magomed Ankalaev’s coach has publicly accused Alex Pereira of using a greasy ointment to gain an unfair advantage in their fight at UFC 313. This bold claim has sent the MMA world into a frenzy, with fans, analysts, and fighters diving into heated debates about whether Pereira played fair—or if he crossed the line into cheating territory.

The idea of fighters applying slippery substances is nothing new in combat sports, but in an era where UFC prides itself on integrity and fair play, such accusations could have serious consequences.

Did Alex Pereira really use a greasy ointment to make himself harder to grapple?
How has the UFC responded to these allegations?
What are the potential penalties if the accusations are proven true?

Let’s dive into this massive controversy, break down the evidence, and analyze whether Pereira’s legacy is at risk.

The Allegations: What Magomed Ankalaev’s Coach Claimed

After UFC 313, Magomed Ankalaev’s coach made a bombshell statement, accusing Alex Pereira of cheating by using an illegal greasy substance that allegedly made it difficult for Ankalaev to secure takedowns and maintain control.

Here’s what we know so far about the allegations:

The Claim: Ankalaev’s coach insists that Pereira’s skin was unusually slippery, making it impossible to hold onto him during grappling exchanges.
The Fight Context: Ankalaev, a wrestler known for his ability to control opponents on the ground, struggled to maintain grips on Pereira—something highly unusual for a fighter of his caliber.
Past UFC Controversies: The MMA world has seen similar allegations in the past, including Anderson Silva vs. Dan Henderson, where Silva was accused of applying baby oil to evade takedowns.

The accusation of greasing is one of the most serious charges a fighter can face in MMA. If true, it could tarnish Pereira’s reputation and lead to potential sanctions from the UFC.

What Is ‘Greasing’ in MMA, and Why Is It Illegal?

Before analyzing the legitimacy of the accusations, it’s important to understand what “greasing” means in MMA.

Greasing refers to the illegal use of slippery substances, such as Vaseline, lotion, or oil, to make a fighter’s skin difficult to grip.
The main advantage of greasing is that it prevents opponents from establishing strong grappling control, leading to a significant defensive edge.
It is strictly forbidden under UFC rules and has led to major controversies in the past.

How Fighters Could Grease Themselves (If They Cheat)

While the UFC closely monitors pre-fight application of Vaseline, there are several ways fighters have attempted to cheat in the past:

Applying lotion hours before the fight – Some fighters apply lotion several hours before stepping into the cage, allowing it to absorb into the skin and become slippery as they start sweating.

Using excessive Vaseline on the face – While corner teams are allowed to apply Vaseline to a fighter’s face, some illegally spread it onto shoulders and upper bodies during the fight.
Secret application in the locker room – Since commission inspectors don’t always observe every second of a fighter’s pre-fight preparations, some fighters could attempt to apply substances out of sight.

If Pereira did indeed grease himself, it would explain why Ankalaev couldn’t maintain control in grappling exchanges, even when he had dominant positions.

Breaking Down the Fight: Did Pereira Really Cheat?

To determine whether the greasing allegations hold any weight, we need to analyze what actually happened in the fight.

Round 1: Ankalaev’s Takedown Struggles Begin

Ankalaev, a high-level grappler, secured an early clinch position and attempted a takedown.
However, Pereira slipped out unusually easily, raising eyebrows among Ankalaev’s team.
The Russian fighter visibly struggled to maintain control, despite being in a dominant position.

Round 2: Pereira’s Slippery Defense Raises Concerns

Ankalaev finally managed to take Pereira to the ground, but the Brazilian escaped in seconds, something highly unusual against a wrestler of Ankalaev’s caliber.
The commentators even mentioned that Pereira seemed to be unusually difficult to hold onto, leading to growing suspicion.

Round 3: The Knockout and the Aftermath

Pereira eventually landed a devastating knockout on Ankalaev, securing the victory.
However, immediately after the fight, Ankalaev’s coach began voicing concerns about potential greasing.
Videos from the fight show Pereira’s upper body appearing shinier than usual, leading fans to speculate about possible illegal substances.

While there is no clear evidence yet, the fight footage raises serious questions about whether Pereira had an unfair advantage.

How the UFC and Fans Reacted to the Controversy

As expected, the MMA community erupted after Ankalaev’s coach made the accusations.

UFC’s Official Response

The UFC has not officially commented on the accusations yet, but insiders report that an internal investigation may be underway.
If Pereira is found guilty, he could face serious consequences, including:

A fine and suspension from the UFC.
His victory being overturned and ruled a No Contest.
Possible repercussions for his future title fights.

What Fighters and Fans Are Saying

Fans are divided – Some believe Ankalaev’s coach is simply making excuses, while others think the footage clearly shows something suspicious.
Other UFC fighters have weighed in:

Daniel Cormier: “If these allegations are true, it’s a huge stain on Pereira’s legacy.”
Chael Sonnen: “Greasing accusations are as old as the sport itself, but we need real proof before condemning anyone.”

The History of Greasing in MMA – Is This Just Another Scandal?

Greasing allegations are not new in MMA. Let’s look at some past incidents that resemble the Pereira-Ankalaev controversy:

Anderson Silva vs. Dan Henderson (2008) – Silva was accused of greasing his body to prevent Henderson from securing takedowns.
GSP vs. BJ Penn (2009) – Georges St-Pierre’s corner was accused of applying Vaseline to his shoulders and chest, which led to a massive debate.
Yoel Romero vs. Tim Kennedy (2014) – Romero was caught pouring water over his body excessively, making him too slippery to grab.

These cases show that greasing has always been a controversial issue, and Pereira’s situation could add another chapter to MMA’s long history of cheating allegations.

Is Alex Pereira’s Legacy in Jeopardy?

While there is no concrete evidence yet, the accusations from Magomed Ankalaev’s coach have sparked a wildfire in the MMA world.

If proven true, this could tarnish Pereira’s reputation as one of the UFC’s most feared strikers.
If proven false, Ankalaev’s team may face backlash for making baseless accusations out of frustration.

Either way, UFC 313 will be remembered as one of the most controversial events in recent history.