Trash talk in MMA can get pretty personal when fighters start digging into each other’s past. Sometimes they go after fighting skills, other times they attack personal backgrounds or previous careers. The verbal sparring between Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira shows exactly how heated things have gotten between these two light heavyweights ahead of their October UFC 320 showdown.
The relationship between Pereira and Ankalaev has been tense ever since their first fight back in March at UFC 313. Ankalaev won that bout via unanimous decision to capture his first UFC title, but the victory didn’t settle anything between them. If anything, it made both fighters more motivated to prove their point in the rematch. Pereira wants to reclaim what he considers his belt, while Ankalaev aims to show that his first win wasn’t a fluke.
Alex Pereira Makes Bold Prediction About Magomed Ankalaev’s Future
Alex Pereira didn’t hold back when discussing what he thinks will happen to Magomed Ankalaev after their UFC 320 rematch on October 4th. The former champion made it clear that he believes this fight will end Ankalaev’s title aspirations permanently.
“If Ankalaev loses, it’s unlikely he gets another title shot.”
Those are fighting words from someone who knows exactly what it feels like to lose a championship. Pereira lost his light heavyweight title to Ankalaev in their first meeting, so he understands the pressure that comes with being the hunter instead of the hunted. But his confidence about ending Ankalaev’s championship dreams reveals he has made significant adjustments during the seven months between fights.
Ankalaev wasn’t about to let Pereira’s comments slide without a response. The current champion took to social media to deliver a brutal comeback that referenced Pereira’s pre-MMA career.
“You’re right I’m not gonna have any say because you’re gonna be sleeping and on your way working at the tire shop again,”
This jab was a reference to Pereira’s background working at a tire shop before becoming a professional fighter. Bringing up someone’s previous job isn’t just trash talk. It’s an attempt to make them doubt their place in the sport. Ankalaev clearly did his homework on Pereira’s background and decided to use it as psychological warfare.