Magomed
Ankalaev is seemingly looking for other options after his
originally targeted opponent turned down a UFC 317
matchup.
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UFC 317, which goes down on June 28 during International Fight
Week, is yet to have a main event. Speculations are that the two
targeted matchups were Ankalaev’s light heavyweight title defense
or Islam
Makhachev’s lightweight title defense against Ilia
Topuria.
Makhachev had already said that he would move up to welterweight
instead of fighting “La Leyenda” if his friend Belal
Muhammad loses his belt at UFC 315. And Jack
Della Maddalena was crowned the new welterweight champ with a
unanimous decision upset win over Muhammad on Saturday in
Canada.
Meanwhile, Ankalaev is seemingly ready to defend his title at UFC
317 and ideally against Alex
Pereira, whom he dethroned at UFC 313
in March. Regardless of the opponent, the Russian is now eager to
defend his title at UFC 317.
“I was offered to fight Alex [at] International Fight Week,”
Ankalaev wrote. “If the man don’t want it let’s move on. I’m ready
for everyone. I dare you.”
I was offered to Fight Alex international
fight week if the man don’t want it let’s move on I’m ready for
everyone. I dare you.— Muhammad big ANK Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM)
May 11, 2025
There was a recent fiasco between Pereira and the UFC, which led to
multiple rumors. Pereira suddenly tweeted about a dispute with the
UFC brass and even teased retirement. The Brazilian later claimed
his account was hacked, which not everyone was willing to believe,
including former champ and color commentator Daniel
Cormier. Cormier believes Pereira was angy with the UFC for
considering another opponent for Ankalaev’s next title
defense.
Even Ankalaev wasn’t sold on Pereira’s “hacked” story and mocked
the former champ.
“The only thing was hacked. It’s Alex’s brain,” Ankalaev wrote.
“He’s not a champion anymore. I’m waiting for you. Don’t worry.
“They call me Big Ank, now they call me Hackaliev.”
The only thing was hacked. It’s Alex’s
brain. He’s not a champion anymore. I’m waiting for you. Don’t
worry.— Muhammad big ANK Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM)
May 8, 2025
They call me Big Ank, now they call me
Hackaliev.— Muhammad big ANK Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM)
May 12, 2025
Pereira won the light heavyweight title and defended it all within
the span of a year before losing it to Ankalaev, who is now
unbeaten in 14 straight outings.