Mar 8, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Magomed Ankalaev (blue gloves) prepares to fight Alex Pereira (not pictured) during UFC 313 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

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‘It also depends on the dancing partner’ – Magomed Ankalaev Slams Alex Pereira’s Style In Their UFC 313 Title Fight

Magomed Ankalaev lets loose on his critics of his fighting style, citing Alex Pereira's performance against him!

Mar 8, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Magomed Ankalaev (blue gloves) prepares to fight Alex Pereira (not pictured) during UFC 313 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

UFC light heavyweight fights have always been full of drama and excitement. Each champion brought their own flavor to the division. The light heavyweight title has changed hands many times over the years. And now, Magomed Ankalaev pulled off what many consider an upset over the seemingly unstoppable Alex Pereira.

The Russian fighter had been patiently waiting for his shot at gold for years. His journey included a controversial draw against Jan Blachowicz and multiple fight cancellations. Pereira had been on a tear since moving up to 205 pounds. He even managed to capture championships in two weight classes.

Many fans expected another highlight-reel finish from the Brazilian knockout artist at UFC 313. Instead, they witnessed a calculated dismantling by Ankalaev. The judges awarded him the victory with scores of 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46. This win finally put the gold around his waist after years of being overlooked in the division.

Also Read: UFC 313 Results – Magomed Ankalaev Shocks The World, Shuts Down Alex Pereira For The LHW Title

Magomed Ankalaev Defends His Fighting Style Against Critics

Magomed Ankalaev has faced criticism throughout his UFC career for being “boring.” Many fans have complained about his methodical approach in the octagon. He addressed these concerns head-on after capturing the title in the post-fight press conference.

“I don’t understand why people think that my fights are boring. Everybody thought that Alex Pereira coming into this fight was the most exciting striker in the division, and then you saw the way he fought against me. It seems as though when people come out to fight against me, they all of a sudden become boring. You saw what he did. So it’s not just dependent on me. It also depends on the dance partner, on the opponent that I’m fighting.”

The new champion believes his opponents change their fighting style when facing him. They become more cautious and less willing to engage. Despite the criticism, Ankalaev doesn’t seem bothered by fans rooting against him. In fact, he claims it gives him extra motivation.

This mindset likely helped him overcome both Pereira and the pro-Pereira crowd at UFC 313. With the title now around his waist, Ankalaev has the opportunity to prove his critics wrong and establish himself as a dominant champion in the light heavyweight division. He will have his chance again probably very soon. As UFC CEO Dana White stated, he is looking to make an immediate rematch between the two.

(Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – Imagn Images)

Alex Pereira

Magomed Ankalaev

UFC 313

Zaid Quraishi

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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!