Former Middleweight Champion Gives His Thoughts On Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313

‘Don’t Think He Makes It Out The First Round’ – Former MW Champion Shares His Thoughts On Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313

Ex-Champion gives his take on the electrifying clash between Alex Pereira and Magaomed Ankalaev

Former Middleweight Champion Gives His Thoughts On Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313

UFC Champions rise and fall, and with each fight, they tell a unique story of human resilience and skill. Robert Whittaker, a former middleweight champion known for his sharp analytical mind, has stepped forward to offer his expert perspective on the upcoming light heavyweight title fight between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313.

Whittaker isn’t just offering casual commentary. He is delivering a detailed tactical breakdown that could potentially influence the fight’s outcome. And he is one fans should listen to as he has been there with the best of the best.

Also Read: Magomed Ankalaev Responds to Alex Pereira’s Challenge To Bet $200K

Robert Whittaker’s Take On Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev

Speaking on his MMArcade podcast, the Australian fighter pulled no punches in his assessment. He believes Magomed Ankalaev’s best chance of defeating Pereira lies in an aggressive wrestling strategy. He believes that striking with ‘Poatan’ is going to be the biggest mistake of Ankalaev’s career.

“Like I said, if Ankalaev doesn’t drop levels with him in the first 3 minutes, I don’t think he makes it out of the first round. I don’t want to be striking with that guy, period. He hits like a truck. He’s very comfortable and confident standing. So, yeah, you have to get him on his back in that first round.”

Robert Whittaker's bold prediction for #UFC313! Do you agree? 🤔 Let us know in the comments! 👇 #ufc #ufc313 pic.twitter.com/4goLqGL4t5
— MMA UK 🇬🇧 (@WeAreMMAUK) March 3, 2025

Alex Pereira has built a reputation as a devastating striker. He has won all four of his light heavyweight title bouts by knockout (except Jan Blachowicz), a statistic that makes opponents think twice before standing toe-to-toe with him. Robert Whittaker highlighted Pereira’s comfort in striking exchanges. He noted how the champion remains calm even when under pressure. This psychological edge makes him a formidable opponent in any standup battle.

Ankalaev’s potential fight strategy revolves around neutralizing Pereira’s striking prowess. Wrestlers know that taking a dangerous striker to the ground can completely change a fight’s dynamics. Ankalaev, with his impressive 20-1-1 record, certainly has the wrestling credentials to potentially execute this plan. However, executing it against a champion like Pereira is easier said than done.

UFC 313: More Than Just A Title Defense

What makes this matchup fascinating is the chess-like mental game happening alongside the physical battle. Both fighters bring unique skills and psychological strengths. Ankalaev’s wrestling against Pereira’s knockout power creates a compelling narrative of contrasting fighting styles.

Plus, they have been going at each other on social media for quite some time now, and the bad blood is real. Whittaker’s analysis provides fans with insider insights into what could be a memorable championship bout!

(Image Credit: UFC – X)

Alex Pereira

Magomed Ankalaev

Robert Whittaker

UFC 313

Zaid Quraishi

mma

I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!