Magomed Ankalaev`s manager asserts that Alex Pereira owes his time as light heavyweight champion to actions taken by the UFC.
Pereira achieved a remarkably swift ascent to becoming a two-division champion in the UFC, capturing both the middleweight and light heavyweight titles within his first two years competing on the sport`s biggest stage.
While the Brazilian was unsuccessful in defending his middleweight belt, he successfully defended his 205-pound title multiple times. After defeating Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295 to claim the title, Pereira defended it against Jamahal Hill, Prochazka in a rematch, and Khalil Rountree Jr.
However, according to the manager of Magomed Ankalaev, the fighter who eventually defeated him, Pereira`s success in the light heavyweight division was entirely “engineered” by the UFC`s top management.
Ankalaev`s Manager, Ali Abdelaziz, Claims UFC `Engineered` Pereira`s Title Reign by Delaying Ankalaev`s Shot
Appearing on the Pound 4 Pound podcast, hosted by his fighters Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo, Ali Abdelaziz discussed Ankalaev finally winning the title this year.
The head of Dominance MMA stated that this achievement was long overdue, largely because the UFC had been deliberately hindering (“sandbagging”) the Dagestani fighter by repeatedly denying him title opportunities.
Abdelaziz firmly believes that if Ankalaev had been granted a title shot when he first earned it, Pereira would never have been able to achieve two-division champion status.
“Alex Pereira, it was engineered,” Abdelaziz said. “The UFC has some of the best matchmakers in the world; they have the best minds.”
He drew a parallel, suggesting, “I think, like you (Usman), you should have been a champion three fights before you fought for the title. It was engineered not to get you there because of your style of fighting, maybe your personality.”
“I think Alex is a good fighter. I think he is a real fighter,” Abdelaziz continued. “But Ankalaev should have been champion two, three years ago. Alex would never have been the champion…it should have been Ankalaev’s time. Hunter Campbell, Mick Maynard, all the UFC — they were all sandbagging him. They were praying (for him) to lose.”
Abdelaziz predicted the outcome of a potential rematch: “If they fight again…it’s going to be worse for Alex…he fought a whole bunch of mediocre strikers. Ankalaev, he can wrestle, he can grapple, he can strike.”
Alex Pereira Believes He Has Faced Tougher Opponents Than Magomed Ankalaev
Alex Pereira would likely disagree with Abdelaziz`s assessment, especially considering his recent comments about his fight with Ankalaev.
During a late June interview with The Schmo, Pereira stated that he has faced tougher competition than Ankalaev, despite how their fight in Las Vegas unfolded earlier this year.
“I’ve definitely fought tougher opponents,” Pereira insisted. He explained, “The situation itself on that day (UFC 313), the circumstances, made him a hard opponent. But I’ve definitely fought people way harder than him.”
In the same discussion, Pereira confirmed that a rematch with the current champion is the next expected fight and is likely to occur in October.
