The aura of invincibility that surrounded Alex Pereira, also known as ‘Poatan,’ was shattered at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, as Magomed Ankalaev dominated the Brazilian to claim the UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 313. Ankalaev’s unanimous decision victory marked a significant shift in the division, with the DAGestani fighter outmaneuvering Pereira to nullify his striking game. This achievement not only crowned Ankalaev as the new champion but also earned him the distinction of being the third UFC titleholder from DAGestan, following in the footsteps of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev. Both Khabib and Makhachev took to social media to congratulate Ankalaev on his impressive win.
DAGestan, a region in Russia, has long been renowned for producing exceptional fighters, particularly in the realm of combat sports. The list of notable fighters from this region is extensive, with Ankalaev, Khabib, Makhachev, Umar Nurmagomedov, and ‘Sharabullet’ being just a few examples. Despite this rich fighting heritage, DAGestan had only produced two UFC champions prior to Ankalaev’s victory. Khabib Nurmagomedov was the first, claiming the vacant lightweight title in 2018 by defeating Al Iaquinta. Later that year, he submitted Conor McGregor, catapulting himself to the pinnacle of the MMA world. After two successful title defenses, Khabib announced his retirement in 2020, citing the passing of his father as a significant factor in his decision.
Two years after Khabib’s retirement, Islam Makhachev followed in his footsteps by submitting Charles Oliveira to become DAGestan’s second UFC champion. Since then, Makhachev has maintained his grip on the lightweight division, earning the number one pound-for-pound ranking and cementing his status as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history. Now, three years later, another DAGestani fighter, Magomed Ankalaev, has joined the ranks of UFC champions by defeating the number three pound-for-pound fighter, Alex Pereira. Although Ankalaev’s fight against Pereira may not have been the most visually stunning, the Russian did enough to secure the win, silencing critics who doubted his ability to outstrike ‘Poatan.’
A Rematch on the Horizon
Ankalaev’s victory has set the stage for a potential rematch against Pereira, with the Russian fighter expressing his willingness to face his opponent again. In the post-fight interview, Ankalaev stated, “I never choose my opponents. I’m more than happy and ready for a rematch whenever the UFC offers it.” He has made it clear that he will not turn down any opponent during his reign as champion. As expected, talk of an immediate rematch began circulating after the fight, with Dana White, the UFC president, hinting that a second bout between the two fighters is likely. “Probably, there will be an immediate rematch,” White said, adding that the first fight did not live up to his expectations in terms of the number of strikes and exchanges.
In the aftermath of his defeat, Pereira took to social media to convey his philosophical approach to the loss, stating that he will return stronger. Meanwhile, Dana White’s comments suggest that the UFC is keen on booking a rematch between Ankalaev and Pereira, potentially as early as the second half of 2025. The loss of ‘Poatan’ is a significant blow to the UFC, given his status as the company’s top superstar. As a result, it is likely that the promotion will seek to capitalize on the rematch, which promises to be an exciting and highly anticipated event. With Ankalaev’s reputation as a formidable champion and Pereira’s determination to regain his title, the stage is set for an epic clash between these two fighters.