Magomed Ankalaev has drawn considerable criticism from fans after making a sudden accusation that Alex Pereira “greased” during their initial fight. This controversial claim has stirred up significant discontent within the MMA community.
The rivalry between Ankalaev and Pereira has notably intensified in the lead-up to their highly anticipated rematch at UFC 320, scheduled for October 4. Back in March, Ankalaev defeated Pereira to claim the light heavyweight title, and now the Brazilian fan favorite is keenly seeking redemption. The animosity between them has grown noticeably in recent times, with Pereira accusing Ankalaev of avoiding him, which led to a direct confrontation at the UFC Performance Institute. The tension further escalated during Ankalaev`s recent UFC 320 media scrum, where he publicly leveled the serious “greasing” accusation against his opponent.
The Allegation and Public Reaction
This marks the first instance Alex “Poatan” Pereira has faced an allegation of “greasing” in the UFC. While many found Pereira`s performance at UFC 313 disappointing, his takedown defense was undeniably strong. Ankalaev apparently believes this defensive prowess was due to an illegal tactic. However, his decision to make this serious accusation six months after the fight has sparked a wave of condemnation from many MMA fans.
Numerous fans expressed skepticism and disapproval online, with comments such as:
- “He says he thinks he`s cheating, but then contradicts himself by saying he`s not accusing him of anything.”
- “No, his takedowns simply weren`t effective enough.”
- “I sincerely hope Alex delivers a knockout against this guy.”
- “No other opponent has ever complained about this. It`s quite telling how much Ali Abdelaziz manipulates his fighters.”
- “Stop making excuses.”
- “Hahaha, so he was `greased.` This guy might just be the worst champion we`ve seen.”
- “You`ve been quiet for ages since that fight. Now, right after Alex promises to slap you, you suddenly try to promote the fight by claiming he was greased?”
Carlos Ulberg Sends a Message to Both Fighters
Meanwhile, the potential winner of UFC 320 might already have their next challenger waiting. Carlos Ulberg made a strong statement with his dominant performance at UFC Perth and his subsequent post-fight remarks, boldly declaring, “I`m coming!” Ulberg extended his impressive winning streak to nine by swiftly knocking out Dominick Reyes in the first round, further solidifying his position as a prominent contender in the light heavyweight division.