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Magomed Ankalaev, fueled by confidence and a desire to dethrone UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, is setting his sights on a knockout victory that he predicts will occur in the first round.
Ankalaev's journey to a title shot has been marked by a mix of setbacks and triumphs. Despite facing a split draw in a title fight against Jan Blachowicz and a subsequent no-contest with Johnny Walker, Ankalaev showcased his knockout prowess in a rematch with Walker, where he secured a decisive victory.
With 10 knockouts to his name and a renewed determination, Ankalaev took to social media to express his intentions, targeting Pereira directly and highlighting his belief in Pereira's vulnerability.
"Congratulations, I will stop [Pereira] in the first round by knockout," Ankalaev tweeted, emphasizing Pereira's perceived weakness: "The man doesn’t have a chin."
Ankalaev's callout comes after Pereira's successful title defense against Jamahal Hill, where Pereira's knockout victory solidified his position as the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion. Despite Pereira's suggestion of a quick turnaround at heavyweight, UFC CEO Dana White dismissed the idea, leaving room for potential matchups in the light heavyweight division.
Ankalaev's confidence in his striking ability and the prospect of facing Pereira in Abu Dhabi adds intrigue to the potential showdown. With two events scheduled in Abu Dhabi – a UFC Fight Night on Aug. 3 and UFC 308 on Oct. 26 – Ankalaev proposes a location that could witness a historic clash for the light heavyweight title.
As Ankalaev continues his journey towards a title shot, his prediction of a knockout victory against Pereira underscores the competitive spirit and determination within the UFC light heavyweight division.