Alex Pereira Targets Former UFC Champ for First Title Defense
Magomed Ankalaev will have to get in line to challenge the light heavyweight throne, according to champion Alex Pereira.
Ankalaev secured an emphatic knockout victory over Johnny Walker at UFC Vegas 84 and continued to call out "Poatan" for a championship throwdown. However, the Brazilian champion has other plans for his first light heavyweight title defense.
Pereira released a statement on January 15, addressing Ankalaev's callout and detailing who he'd like to fight next. His post included a video of him facing down the lineal light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill, who vacated the throne with a torn Achilles in 2023.
"Guys let's focus on what matters which is Jamahal Hill," Pereira wrote. "And then I'll focus on breaking another record by making two title defenses in the shortest time possible."
It's unfortunate for Ankalaev, but the Russian fighter has only just steadied the ship with his knockout over Walker. Ankalaev frustrated fans and officials with his low-output draw with Jan Blachowicz for the vacant belt in 2022, and he continued to disappoint by causing the NC against Walker in their first fight.
On the other hand, Hill kept favor with the UFC by vacating the belt as the champion, similar to what Jiri Prochazka did beforehand. Prochazka was guaranteed a shot at the belt when he returned, and Pereira's post indicates that Hill is geared for his own comeback title fight very soon.
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