In keeping with Magomed Ankalaev’s manager, Alex Pereira has the UFC to thank for his light heavyweight reign.
Pereira enjoyed a record rise to the ranks of two-division champions within the UFC, claiming each the middleweight and light-weight heavyweight titles in his first two years on MMA’s biggest stage.
While the Brazilian did not record a successful defense at middleweight, he pushed past loads of challenges while on the throne at 205 kilos. After Pereira knocked out Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295 to win the title, he retained the belt thrice with wins over Jamahal Hill, Prochazka of their rematch, and Khalil Rountree Jr.
But in accordance with the manager of the person who eventually unseated him, Pereira’s feat at light heavyweight was entirely “engineered” by the UFC higher-ups.
Ali Abdelaziz says UFC ‘engineered’ Alex Pereira’s title reign by snubbing Magomed Ankalaev
Appearing on the Pound 4 Pound podcast, hosted by two of his fighters in Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo, Ali Abdelaziz spoke about Ankalaev’s crowning this 12 months.
The Dominance MMA CEO said it had been a protracted time coming, largely all the way down to the UFC “sandbagging” the Dagestani with repeated title shot snubs.
Had Ankalaev received a possibility when Abdelaziz believes it was first earned, the Egyptian manager insists Pereira’s attainment of two-division status would have been unattainable.
“Alex Pereira, it was engineered,” Abdelaziz said. “The UFC has a few of the very best matchmakers on this planet; they’ve the very best minds.
“I feel, such as you (Usman), it’s best to have been a champion three fights before you fought for the title. It was engineered to not get you there due to your kind of fighting, possibly your personality.
“I feel Alex is an excellent fighter. I feel he’s an actual fighter,” Abdelaziz continued. “But Ankalaev must have been champion two, three years ago. Alex would never have been the champion…it must have been Ankalaev’s time. Hunter Campbell, Mick Maynard, all of the UFC — they were all sandbagging him. They were praying (for him) to lose.
“In the event that they fight again…it’s going to be worse for Alex…he fought a complete bunch of mediocre strikers. Ankalaev, he can wrestle, he can grapple, he can strike.”
Alex Pereira says he has fought tougher opponents than Magomed Ankalaev
Pereira would likely have something to say about Abdelaziz’s assessment, especially after what he recently said about his clash with Ankalaev.
During an interview with The Schmo in late June, Pereira said he’s fought tougher opposition than Ankalaev, despite how their fight unfolded in Las Vegas earlier this 12 months.
“I’ve definitely fought tougher opponents,” Pereira insisted. “The situation itself on that day (UFC 313), the circumstances, made him a tough opponent.
“But I’ve definitely fought people way harder than him.”
In the identical discussion, Pereira reiterated that a rematch with the champion is next and can likely happen in October.