Could Magomed Ankalaev Unseat UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira?

UFC 313 may be looked back upon as the event that defines light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira's legacy after all.

Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Anakalev at UFC 313

Last Saturday night, it was announced Pereira would be returning to the Octagon opposite No. 1 contender Magomed Ankalaev in the main event, a fight that has been teased for over a year.

Oct 5, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) fights Khalil Rountree Jr. (blue gloves) in a light heavyweight title bout during UFC 307 at Delta Center. Could Magomed Ankalaev Unseat UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira? | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

The bad blood intensified shortly after the promotion's unveiling, as both men took to 'X' to begin a rather dark pre-fight buildup so far.

CSAC Releases UFC 311 Fight Night Weights, 10 Fighters Gain 20+ lbs. After Weigh-Ins

Pereira kept his message toward Ankalaev simple and direct, whereas Ankalaev took an entirely different approach.

See you soon Ankalaev
— Alex "Poatan" Pereira (@AlexPereiraUFC) January 19, 2025

"See you soon, Ankalaev," Pereira wrote on 'X.'

Ankalaev's comeback was unthinkable and arguably X-Rated.

You just sign your death certificate I’m gonna punish you for ducking me and I’m gonna make you look like a guy work in a tire shop not professional Fighter
— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) January 20, 2025

"You just sign your death certificate," Ankalaev wrote. "I’m gonna punish you for ducking me and I’m gonna make you look like a guy [who works] in a tire shop, not [a] professional fighter."

Feud aside, let's take a look at how the fight may materialize.

Keys for Both Alex Pereira, Magomed Ankalaev to Become Champion

Ankalaev (20-1-1 MMA, 11-1-1, 1 NC UFC) has been on a collision course to fight Pereira for quite some time. It'll be his first title fight in nearly three years, as he fought to a draw against Jan Błachowicz at UFC 282.

Since the draw, Ankalaev has won two of three fights, as his bout against Johnny Walker in Oct. 2023 was declared a No Contest.

Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) has won five in a row since moving up to light heavyweight following a loss in his immediate rematch with Israel Adesanya. It ended up being the best move for him, as he went undefeated last year with key wins against former champions Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka before closing out the year against Khalil Rountree Jr.

Tom Aspinall Reacts to UFC CEO Dana White Bumping Jon Jones from Top P4P Ranking

If Ankalaev can survive the hellacious Pereira storm of punches, kicks, knees, and elbows from the minute the bell rings, it's Ankalaev's fight to lose. He has been five rounds before while having to overcome the sting of feeling like he "lost." Pereira hasn't, and if he can keep his distance, he'll beat Ankalaev inside three rounds.

If not, a new era may begin, much less one of the most intense rivalries in divisional history.

More UFC & MMA News

• Jiri Prochazka Recalls Drinking with Jamahal Hill Post-Fight, What He Told UFC Foe

• KnuckleMania V Preview: Eddie Alvarez vs. Jeremy Stephens Tops BKFC Tripleheader

• (Exclusive) Champion Fabricio Andrade "Very Excited" for MMA Return at ONE 170

• ‘You’ll See Me in UFC,’ Richie Lewis Talks Karate Combat Debut vs. 2X PFL Champ

Stick with MMA Knockout for more daily coverage of the UFC, MMA, and Boxing.

Follow MMA Knockout on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.