Magomed Ankalaev Demands Third Fight After Alex Pereira’s Taunting Jab
By 813 Staff
In a blockbuster move shaking up the league, Magomed Ankalaev Demands Third Fight After Alex Pereira’s Taunting Jab, according to Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) (in the last 24 hours).
Source: https://x.com/Home_of_Fight/status/2081108477389213708
Don’t blink. A fire that’s been smoldering since last fall just got a fresh gust of oxygen. League sources confirm that Magomed Ankalaev is pushing hard for a third meeting with Alex Pereira, and the timing is no accident. According to a report from Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) posted late Saturday night, Ankalaev wants a trilogy after Pereira reportedly mocked him recently. Those close to the situation say the light heavyweight champion has been stewing over the jab, and the front office has been quietly fielding calls from his camp for weeks.
Here’s where the rubber meets the road. Ankalaev and Pereira are locked at one win apiece in one of the most contentious rivalries in the division. Pereira took the first bout by a hair-splitting split decision back in March 2025, a fight that left many scratching their heads. Ankalaev answered emphatically this past June, earning a clear-cut unanimous decision to even the score. Now, with the scorecard tied, the natural sporting question is who breaks the deadlock. The UFC has historically loved a trilogy when the stakes are right, and this one feels ready-made for a pay-per-view main event later this fall or early next year.
Why does this matter right now? Because the clock is ticking. Pereira, never one to stay silent, reportedly took a shot at Ankalaev in a recent interview, and those words landed. Sources inside the organization tell me the lightweight and middleweight divisions are already clogged with contenders, but light heavyweight has a clear, marketable needle to thread. A third fight doesn’t just settle the score—it clears the logjam for the next title challenger, whether that’s a surging prospect or a veteran looking for one last run.
What happens next? Expect formal talks to ramp up this week. The UFC matchmaking team is expected to sit down with both sides to hammer out a timeline. Nothing is signed, but the momentum is real. If the temperature keeps rising, we could have a date locked in by the end of August. For now, the ball is in the promotion’s court. They know the fans want it. Ankalaev wants it. And if Pereira bites, we’ll have our trilogy.
Source: https://x.com/Home_of_Fight/status/2081108477389213708
