Magomed Ankalaev isn’t identified for his trash discuss however he had loads to say when addressing Alex Pereira on Thursday throughout the UFC 313 pre-fight press convention.
The normally soft-spoken Russian was nearly uncharacteristically vocal on stage whereas coping with a raucous crowd that was largely backing his opponent. None of it appeared to trouble Ankalaev a lot as he smiled by means of the boos and vowed to alter the chants by the point Saturday evening’s most important occasion is over.
“I’d prefer to say that I see on this battle everyone seems to be towards me,” Ankalaev mentioned. “Everyone seems to be saying ‘Chama! Chama! Chama!’ However guess what? Chama time is over. After this Saturday evening, after the battle, you’ll all love me.
“The identical individuals which can be saying Chama now are going to be saying No Chama! It’s Ankalaev time.”
In fact, ‘Chama’ is a phrase that Pereira has made well-known throughout his beautiful run by means of the UFC the place he’s been a two-division champion with three title defenses already beneath his belt within the mild heavyweight division.
However regardless of his dominance, Pereira is barely favored to win in his newest battle with many believing he’s dealing with his greatest impediment but in Ankalaev.
With a 19-1 file with one no contest together with 10 knockouts and a background in fight sambo, Ankalaev seemingly has the dimensions and energy to provide Pereira issues irrespective of the place this battle goes. That’s one of many explanation why he’s been championed because the true No. 1 contender within the division for fairly a while after he got here up brief in his earlier bid at changing into champion following a break up draw with Jan Blachowicz again in 2022.
That setback compelled Ankalaev to work a little bit tougher to get again to a different title shot and he believes Pereira ought to be thankful for that reality.
“I wasn’t upset in regards to the final Magomed Ankalaev: Alex Pereira ‘ought to say thanks to Dana White for shielding him … Chama time is over!’ battle,” Ankalaev mentioned. “I’ve no person responsible, it’s simply myself. We noticed the battle. The entire world noticed the battle however it occurred the best way it occurred. Now it’s a complete totally different ballgame. It’s a unique battle, it’s a unique opponent.
“You understand what? Actually, [Pereira] ought to say thanks to Dana White for shielding him this entire time. Now it’s going to be a complete totally different factor.”
Whereas the partisan crowd hardly ever quieted down a lot to permit Ankalaev to talk, he did get just a few questions from the Russian media assembled — together with one query about beating Pereira so unhealthy that he’s compelled to surrender his battle profession and return to his previous job working at a tire store in Brazil.
Ankalaev couldn’t assist however giggle at that one earlier than responding.
“We’re planning on completely dominating him on Saturday,” Ankalaev mentioned. “We’re going to be sure that Chama has no possibilities on Saturday. Whether or not or not he stays within the sport or decides to return to the tire store, that’s going to be as much as him. He’s going to be the one which has to make that call.”
For all of the methods Ankalaev expects to win and stroll out of UFC 313 as champion, he’s not even considering what comes subsequent till he will get by means of Pereira.
As a result of Pereira has been such a dominant champion, he might doubtlessly warrant a direct rematch irrespective of how the battle performs out however Ankalaev prefers getting the job accomplished first earlier than he begins fascinated about that.
“For now we’re not concentrating on what’s going to occur afterwards,” Ankalaev mentioned. “Proper now, we’ve obtained a battle in entrance of us. Let’s go on the market, let’s win after which afterwards we’ll take into consideration who’s going to get the rematch or what.”
