Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev (Observations)

[Edward Henry Greb]

So I just finished re-watching Ankalaev vs. Rakic, and then I re-watched the Jan Błachowicz x Magomed Ankalaev fight.

After that, I re-watched Alex Pereira fight Jan Błachowicz ... in what was arguably Alex' worst performance @ LHW.

The first thing that jumped out is Ankalaev looked smaller than Jan Błachowicz, while Pereira made Błachowicz look like a bloated midget.

• Alex Pereira is going to dwarf Magomed Ankalaev in the cage.

Forget the tale of the tape, Alex will TOWER over Magomed.

To Ankalaev's credit, he appears sturdy, fluid with his punches, lets his hands go with impunity, and seems very relaxed in the cage. At least against Rakic.

However ... while against Rakic, Ankalaev was definitely the aggressor — because Rakic offered NO THREAT and was always moving, backing-up, yielding — this was because (while bigger than Ankalaev), Rakic had no power to hold Ankalaev back.

By contrast, against Błachowicz, Ankalaev was much more cautious ... it was actually Jan Błachowicz who was the aggressor, with Magomed backing up, countering "with speed," but was constantly "holding back," not putting much power or staying in the pocket.
Ankalaev was much more cautious with Błachowicz' power. Błachowicz was also much more effective than Rakic in smashing Ankalaev's calves.

Yet, when facing Alex Pereira, it was Błachowicz, who was always yielding, moving backward. It was Błachowicz, who was getting his legs smashed-in.

He couldn't deal with Alex on the feet.

85% of the Błachowicz fight was Alex Pereira "hunting" Jan Błachowicz ... yet 85% of the Ankalaev fight, it was Jan "hunting" Magomed.

Obviously, anything can happen in a fight.

But it was clear to me that Magomed Ankalaev looked small compared to Jan Błachowicz ... and was continuously cautious of Jan's power ... while Jan Błachowicz is the one who looked small against Alex Pereira ... and was continuously cautious of Alex' power.

MMA Math? Maybe.

But I think Magomed is going to appear dwarfed by Alex, when they actually get in the cage together, and if he was cautious about Jan's leg kicks and power, he's going to find himself in a world of pain from Alex' leg kicks and power.

Thoughts?

 

[MrBlackheart]

So you’re essentially saying if fighter A pees longer than fighter B who pees longer than fighter C, then fighter A has a bigger cock than fighter C.

 

[Edward Henry Greb]

So you’re essentially saying if fighter A pees longer than fighter B who pees longer than fighter C, then fighter A has a bigger cock than fighter C.

No, that's your sub- moronic, closet- mis-interpretation of what I said.

 

[Judge Lance Ito]

Alex will run through him.

 

[Fedorgasm]

I mean, you're basically making the case that Alex will dominate the standing portion of the fight. Which I think everyone already believes.

The question will be whether Ank can get Alex down and dominate him on the ground.

 

[Sean Chowdhury]

alex is bigger than ankalaev and will likely win the striking, groundbreaking revelation

 

[Edward Henry Greb]

I mean, you're basically making the case that Alex will dominate the standing portion of the fight. Which I think everyone already believes.

Sort of.

The argument I am really making is predation vs. caution.

Ankalaev was the predator against Rakic — yet was "cautious" against Błachowicz — who was "cautious " against Pereira.

Błachowicz was hunting Ankalaev, while Błachowicz was being hunted by Pereira.

It's the power-threat that Alex brings, combined with his timing + precision. It's more tangible than many realize.

Jiří Procházka ran right through Rakic, ran right through Hill, but on his second fight with Alex, was too tentative to launch an effective attack.

Alex had made his reads, vastly improving from their previous fight, while Jiří learned nothing and was the same guy.

The question will be whether Ank can get Alex down and dominate him on the ground.

Błachowicz got Alex down, but looked like a little boy trying to hold down a Hill Giant — and Ankalaev looked much smaller than Błachowicz.

Ankalaev may be able to get Alex down, but at this stage in Alex' career, I don't think Ankalaev can keep Pereira down.

Again, anything can happen in a fight, but I think Ankalaev is going to be yet another person to get flatline/KO'd by Alex Pereira, for the first time, because the difference in power/precision that Alex brings is night-and-day greater than anything Ankalaev has ever faced before.

.

 

[BowserJr]

So I just finished re-watching Ankalaev vs. Rakic, and then I re-watched the Jan Błachowicz x Magomed Ankalaev fight.

After that, I re-watched Alex Pereira fight Jan Błachowicz ... in what was arguably Alex' worst performance @ LHW.

The first thing that jumped out is Ankalaev looked smaller than Jan Błachowicz, while Pereira made Błachowicz look like a bloated midget.

• Alex Pereira is going to dwarf Magomed Ankalaev in the cage.

Forget the tale of the tape, Alex will TOWER over Magomed.

To Ankalaev's credit, he appears sturdy, fluid with his punches, lets his hands go with impunity, and seems very relaxed in the cage. At least against Rakic.

However ... while against Rakic, Ankalaev was definitely the aggressor — because Rakic offered NO THREAT and was always moving, backing-up, yielding — this was because (while bigger than Ankalaev), Rakic had no power to hold Ankalaev back.

By contrast, against Błachowicz, Ankalaev was much more cautious ... it was actually Jan Błachowicz who was the aggressor, with Magomed backing up, countering "with speed," but was constantly "holding back," not putting much power or staying in the pocket.
Ankalaev was much more cautious with Błachowicz' power. Błachowicz was also much more effective than Rakic in smashing Ankalaev's calves.

Yet, when facing Alex Pereira, it was Błachowicz, who was always yielding, moving backward. It was Błachowicz, who was getting his legs smashed-in.

He couldn't deal with Alex on the feet.

85% of the Błachowicz fight was Alex Pereira "hunting" Jan Błachowicz ... yet 85% of the Ankalaev fight, it was Jan "hunting" Magomed.

Obviously, anything can happen in a fight.

But it was clear to me that Magomed Ankalaev looked small compared to Jan Błachowicz ... and was continuously cautious of Jan's power ... while Jan Błachowicz is the one who looked small against Alex Pereira ... and was continuously cautious of Alex' power.

MMA Math? Maybe.

But I think Magomed is going to appear dwarfed by Alex, when they actually get in the cage together, and if he was cautious about Jan's leg kicks and power, he's going to find himself in a world of pain from Alex' leg kicks and power.

Thoughts?

These types of posts are why I enjoy Sherdog.

You may be onto something. Ank says he'll KO Alex but I think thats bluster. He'll go for takedowns. Jan is obviously a better grappler than Alex but Alex has death touch.

IMO it comes down to whether or not Alex lands something impactful before Ank gets close enough to clinch or get a takedown. It doesn't even need to be a knock down. But if Ank feels the power it will keep him back and 2nd guessing

Alex is good at pressuring while staying in the pocket and he doesn't need to over commit to land a death touch

 

[Fedorgasm]

We also need to consider how Ank's takedown threat will impact Alex.

We've seen time and time again a great striker getting tagged because he's worried about the takedown and it messes up his striking.

 

[Edward Henry Greb]

We also need to consider how Ank's takedown threat will impact Alex.

Alex will be well-prepared.

IMO, Alex' piston-like, telephone-pole jab to the body is his great weapon against this. Alex' heavy jab to the body = an under-appreciated asset Alex has, that no one else offers (or can duplicate) with the same reach + power.

This unique/dangerous technique is going to impact Magomed's grappling more than Ankalaev's expected shoots are going to impact Alex.

For Alex, Magomed's game = ordinary;
For Magomed, Alex's game = extraordinary.

We've seen time and time again a great striker getting tagged because he's worried about the takedown and it messes up his striking.

This basic premise is true; however, I don't think it's going to apply in this case.

Alex has no fear, and his natural aptitudes + improvement is escalating to a degree Magomed's is not.

 

[Nobru]

Alex is bigger indeed, but what makes this fight more interesting IMHO is that Ank fights southpaw and Alex hasnt shown many left calf kicks - hes more comfortable kicking with his right leg at his regular stance. Inside leg kicks can be more dangerous to a counter or a td since its a longer movement

Im curious for this fight. Unless Ank shows up as a chain rassler, which we havent seen, despite using his TD game to secure last rounds x Jan

Jan has power ofc, but he isnt nearly as fast as Alex, plus Alex timing and feints.... I believe Ank is gonna sleep.

 

[Edward Henry Greb]

Alex is bigger indeed, but what makes this fight more interesting IMHO is that Ank fights southpaw and Alex hasnt shown many left calf kicks - hes more comfortable kicking with his right leg at his regular stance. Inside leg kicks can be more dangerous to a counter or a td since its a longer movement

Im curious for this fight. Unless Ank shows up as a chain rassler, which we havent seen, despite using his TD game to secure last rounds x Jan

Jan has power ofc, but he isnt nearly as fast as Alex, plus Alex timing and feints.... I believe Ank is gonna sleep.

Let's not forget, Jamahal Hill is a southpaw — who got his calves (and ass) royally kicked by Alex, and was his easiest fight.

Alex adjusted, feinted, and killed Jamahal with 0 problems.

 

[RockyLockridge]

No, that's your sub- moronic, closet- mis-interpretation of what I said.

guy definitely has dicks on his mind

 

[10000yearsold]

If ankalaev’s strategy does not involve grappling, he is doomed. Why anyone chooses to kickbox pereira in mma is the dumbest shit ever.

 

[jeff7b9]

Alex is bigger indeed, but what makes this fight more interesting IMHO is that Ank fights southpaw and Alex hasnt shown many left calf kicks - hes more comfortable kicking with his right leg at his regular stance. Inside leg kicks can be more dangerous to a counter or a td since its a longer movement

Im curious for this fight. Unless Ank shows up as a chain rassler, which we havent seen, despite using his TD game to secure last rounds x Jan

Jan has power ofc, but he isnt nearly as fast as Alex, plus Alex timing and feints.... I believe Ank is gonna sleep.

I don't think Alex has shown any issues fighting vs southpaws
.
I would have to check film regarding his use of low kicks vs southpaw, I thought he did incorporate leg attacks vs Khalil... I could be wrong though.

He lit up Hill basically in the first major exchange, or at least as soon as he had locked in range/timing.

He systematically picked Khalil Roundtree apart.

He did well vs Izzy who spends a decent amount of time southpaw.


His left hook now potentially can come from a blind spot, that's dangerous.

Mirror stance creates more distance between the fighters in most cases, which I would say favors Alex due to his freakishly long reach. It should also help him with TDD because of the additional distance in "the void" as Mighty Mouse would say.


My personal take is that I think he is gonna fuck Ankalaev up. I think fans are making the mistake of assuming Ank is gonna wrestle Alex up because Ank is Russian, but if you watch his fights that really is NOT his style. He is mostly a striker as far as I can tell, he can mix in takedowns and he is a fairly well rounded fighter but I think people are just assuming he is a tremendous wrestler due to his ethnicity and facial hair and giving him way too much credit based on that.


I'll probably watch film on both guys prior to the fight but I think Alex by KO is the most likely outcome here, I'd guess left hook but left high kick seems like another good option, he got that lead foot head kick up QUICK vs Jiri, that is a dangerous tool if Alex isn't afraid to kick vs Ank.






(Switch stance opponent)

 

[rjmbrd]

Alex is built like a coat hanger. He didn't dwarf Jan and he looks like Jan could snap him over his knee. Jan is built like a fortress.

People that have never competed in combat sports generally have no idea what they are looking at regarding the "size" of fighters.

Obvious, Alex will not 'dwarf' Ank either.

 

[Motivated BJ Penn]

Alex is bigger indeed, but what makes this fight more interesting IMHO is that Ank fights southpaw and Alex hasnt shown many left calf kicks - hes more comfortable kicking with his right leg at his regular stance. Inside leg kicks can be more dangerous to a counter or a td since its a longer movement

Im curious for this fight. Unless Ank shows up as a chain rassler, which we havent seen, despite using his TD game to secure last rounds x Jan

Jan has power ofc, but he isnt nearly as fast as Alex, plus Alex timing and feints.... I believe Ank is gonna sleep.

Poatan has been developing a sneaky calf kick vs southpaw stances, hes been fighting 2 sp in a row and you could even count Jiri too when he switches. He was destroying Khalils legs with it

 

[Edward Henry Greb]

Alex is built like a coat hanger. He didn't dwarf Jan and he looks like Jan could snap him over his knee. Jan is built like a fortress.

People that have never competed in combat sports generally have no idea what they are looking at regarding the "size" of fighters.

Obvious, Alex will not 'dwarf' Ank either.

STFU, you are the one who has never competed in shit.

Get your shovel ready to eat your words, and get out from behind your computer.

Jan is a fat, pudgy guy with a high body-fat count.

 

[Edward Henry Greb]

Poatan has been developing a sneaky calf kick vs southpaw stances, hes been fighting 2 sp in a row and you could even count Jiri too when he switches. He was destroying Khalils legs with it

This.

 

[rjmbrd]

STFU, you are the one who has never competed in shit.

Get your shovel ready to eat your words, and get out from behind your computer.

Jan is a fat, pudgy guy with a high body-fat count.

You may have anger issues or just be terminally weird. Either way, this type of behavior with strangers on the internet is not healthy for you.