The UFC are doing a disservice to Pereira and his legacy

[MarioLemieux]

I firmly believe that Pereira is down to fight anyone at any time, and that he has a good chance against Ank but the UFC are standing in the way of his legacy giving him spoon fed 8th ranked cherry picks instead.

Let the man test himself against the best and legitimize his legacy by beating guys who will test his wrestling and striking.

Ank will be a good test and if he can beat him, and move up to HW and claim a title against the monsters there that can wrestle he immediately enters GOAT talks.

 

[The Siege]

I think too many people are making a stink out of this. I'm sure they will make Ank vs Poatan.

Let the Rakic fight play out. Let Poatan rest and I think we eventually get to see it.

 

[volcom5]

He just tested his striking against arguably the best striker in the division, and most likely Ankelave the only wrestler in division is next opponent.

This is like Khabib never fight a D1 wrestler or a great striker with TDD. It’s very hard when those fighters don’t exist in the division you fight in.

 

[MarioLemieux]

We should have already got to see Ank and Pereira, why are they wasting the tail end of his prime on Rountree?

 

[ledonk]

Maybe let Ankalaev get a big win before we talk about him like he's some p4p great? He's a good striker with mediocre wrestling. He shat the bed vs Jan. His big win is what, Walker?

Not all dagestanis are the same you know.

 

[ledonk]

We should have already got to see Ank and Pereira, why are they wasting the tail end of his prime on Rountree?

Because Ankalaev turned down the fight. He wants to fight in saudi.

 

[Westbrick]

Those guys should just quit their Abu Dhabi bs. Alex is an insane star now, i can't remember Aldo or Anderson being this big without Rede Globo hype in Brazil, his legacy is already good enough for him to retire as a legend in 2 sports.


Plus Anka ain't no wrestler, he's going to sleep.

 

[Fergelmince]

Well, the UFC is a sports entertainment company. So considering how boring and stupid Ankalaev is, the most entertaining thing for the UFC to do would be to NEVER give Ankalaev a shot at the belt. He doesn't have a great record anyway and NO ONE wants to watch him fight.

 

[MarioLemieux]

It's nonsense. The UFC are clearly stalling this fight from happening and making Ank fight Rakic is a joke just as bad as the Rountree fight tonight (though entertaining)

 

[omawho402]

This was a squash match, but Khalil exceeded expectations.

Magomed shouldn't be wasting time on Rakic and should be next.

 

[moreorless87]

I think too many people are making a stink out of this. I'm sure they will make Ank vs Poatan.

Let the Rakic fight play out. Let Poatan rest and I think we eventually get to see it.

I strongly suspect that will if Ank wins next but really he's not made it easy for himself, boring draw title match and then sat on the shelf for ages only beating Johnny Walker and making a load of demands to only fight on Abu Dabi cards.

I think Alex is a fighter who's "big" on Sherdog, popular with a lot of hardcore fans and obviously caught up in beef with Izzy which draws in a lot of political posting but I don't think the UFC really is treating him like a massive star. The truth is IMHO he ended up at LHW in the first place because the UFC didnt want a third Izzy fight when they had the result they wanted, probably offered Alex a quick title shot if he would stop calling out Izzy and since then he's been more used to fill PPV holes rather than had the star build treatment.

Truth is this fight was actually quite a bad risk/reward for him, opponent who did have KO power that everyone expected him to beat easily, the UFC normally do not put Dana's favourites in that kind of fight.

 

[Busgosu]

Yeah, no one cares about Ankalaev other than the classic neckbeard lovers. Fuck him, the UFC should NEVER give him a title shot. In fact, if Rakic beats him he should be sacked.

 

[Dr Brian Pepper]

tell ank to stop ducking

 

[orca]

We should have already got to see Ank and Pereira, why are they wasting the tail end of his prime on Rountree?

to milk more money before the end comes
it is what it is
make more hype and money
its business for the ufc

 

[JustforBROCK]

I firmly believe that Pereira is down to fight anyone at any time, and that he has a good chance against Ank but the UFC are standing in the way of his legacy giving him spoon fed 8th ranked cherry picks instead.

Let the man test himself against the best and legitimize his legacy by beating guys who will test his wrestling and striking.

Ank will be a good test and if he can beat him, and move up to HW and claim a title against the monsters there that can wrestle he immediately enters GOAT talks.

What? the UFC is allowing him to have a 'legacy'. He wouldnt be a position to fight for a title after getting KOed cold in another division in ANY other fighting org that has ever existed.

 

[orca]

tell ank to stop ducking

ducking a bigger payday fighting the biggest star right now in pereira?
and a once in a lifetime chance to get a shot for the gold?

ank is literaly risking all those fighting a nobody with less pay

you think hes really ducking big money and the title?


win or lose ankalaev would benefit greatly fighting pereira
why would he duck?

or is someone protecting pereira?

 

[checktheknuckles]

I firmly believe that Pereira is down to fight anyone at any time, and that he has a good chance against Ank but the UFC are standing in the way of his legacy giving him spoon fed 8th ranked cherry picks instead.

Let the man test himself against the best and legitimize his legacy by beating guys who will test his wrestling and striking.

Ank will be a good test and if he can beat him, and move up to HW and claim a title against the monsters there that can wrestle he immediately enters GOAT talks.

Alex is already the GOAT in combat sports. Who else has won 2 titles in different weight classes, in 2 different orgs?

 

[NoSmilez]

Alex is a second or third biggest draw in the UFC. The promotion would rather match him with guys that will produce a knockout. I don't think Alex is actively ducking anyone but he wants to fight often. Ankalaev isn't going to do shorter notice fight and the promotion wants to use him for a UAE card now.

 

[stevenandrew]

I strongly suspect that will if Ank wins next but really he's not made it easy for himself, boring draw title match and then sat on the shelf for ages only beating Johnny Walker and making a load of demands to only fight on Abu Dabi cards.

I think Alex is a fighter who's "big" on Sherdog, popular with a lot of hardcore fans and obviously caught up in beef with Izzy which draws in a lot of political posting but I don't think the UFC really is treating him like a massive star. The truth is IMHO he ended up at LHW in the first place because the UFC didnt want a third Izzy fight when they had the result they wanted, probably offered Alex a quick title shot if he would stop calling out Izzy and since then he's been more used to fill PPV holes rather than had the star build treatment.

Truth is this fight was actually quite a bad risk/reward for him, opponent who did have KO power that everyone expected him to beat easily with snaptubie, the UFC normally do not put Dana's favourites in that kind of fight.

You make some compelling points about Pereira's potential and the obstacles he faces. It's true that he seems willing to take on anyone, and fighting top contenders is essential for solidifying a fighter's legacy. Facing Ank would not only challenge his skills but also provide an opportunity to prove himself against a high-caliber opponent. Wins against fighters who test his wrestling and striking will indeed legitimize his accomplishments and elevate his status. If Pereira can succeed against Ank and then transition to heavyweight, taking on the top wrestlers there, it would certainly put him in the conversation for the greatest of all time (GOAT). Testing himself against the best is crucial for any fighter looking to leave a lasting legacy in the sport!

 

[Jackonfire]

We should have already got to see Ank and Pereira, why are they wasting the tail end of his prime on Rountree?

Yeah we could have if Ank didn't turn down the fight once for sure and possibly twice already. The problem isn't Alex or the UFC, its Ankalaev.