What Would It Take For You To Believe That The UFC is Protecting Poatan from Ankalaev?

[Dreyga_King of Sherbums]

Alright, Sherbums, let’s address the elephant in the room: there are rumors swirling about Alex Pereira potentially fighting Alexander Volkov instead of Magomed Ankalaev. At what point do we all just admit that the UFC is actively protecting Pereira from Ankalaev?

Look, Pereira is a phenomenal striker—no one denies that—but Ankalaev is the worst matchup for him stylistically. Ankalaev has the wrestling, grappling, and striking IQ to completely neutralize Pereira’s power. It’s no secret that many fans (and maybe the UFC brass) are worried about how Alex would hold up against him. So instead, we’re getting talk of Pereira moving up to fight Volkov at heavyweight? A fight that, while interesting, feels like a diversion.

How long is this going to go on? Ankalaev deserves the next shot after his dominant win over Johnny Walker and the controversial draw with Jan Blachowicz. Meanwhile, Alex is already a champ and should be defending his belt against the rightful contender. Is this a case of the UFC protecting one of their most marketable fighters, or do they genuinely believe in Pereira’s ability to jump divisions?

What do you think, Sherbums? Is the UFC running interference to keep Ankalaev away from Pereira? And if Pereira moves up to fight Volkov, is that proof of ducking or just good business? Let’s hear it!

 

[Only Here for Attachments]

We'd need evidence that Alex has the drawing power to warrant such protection, first.

Ankalaev might still be in the doghouse from his post-Jan meltdown and turning down Alex before (not to mention the most recent, alleged refusal). It's no secret that Daner hates fighters that are hard to work with.

 

[Superior]

Sherdog is dying confirmed.

 

[JBJ was here]

Actually. what's happening a pump-and-dump type scam to improve the opening odds for Poatan once the fight gets made so Dana and his friends can place huge bets on Poatan and rake in the cash. They're looking to get +170 on what should be a -250 bet.

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

Pereira isn't the guy that can only fight on one day every third year during the second fall eclipse of October.

 

[Verderglen23]

Ankalaev is next up but his resume is a little underwhelming imo. A win over Jan, Jiri, or Jamahal would make it a bit more convincing.

 

[kingghidrah]

I agree they are totally protecting Jon Jones, they won't let Ankalaev move up

 

[RockyLockridge]

So they are protecting him by giving him a significantly harder match up in a higher weight class??


This myth that ankalaev can wrestle well needs to stop. He's not a hard match up for Alex at all, he's bad at defending leg kicks and 30% takedown accuracy at lhw. Anakalev keeps refusing the fight and that is why it's not happening


I've never seen such entitlement from a title challenger in any weight class at any point in time. Also I dont think i've ever seen such delusion about about a fighter avoiding someone in all my time on sherdog.

I give Alex a 10% chance to beat Volkov and a 75% chance to beat Anakalev Volkov is far more likely to take alex down and submit or tko him than Anakalev is. If you dont realize this, you're simply out of the loop.

 

[Shaolin Alan]

Keep reaching for those grapes, TS

"He's reaching for - he's reaching for those grapes. He's trying to make his wine, and the wine's already soundin' like a violin with that cheese and wine"

 

[Snake Fist]

I'll wait till something gets announced, but surely it's still 205 for Alex.

Thought it was weird of Alex a few months back wanting to go back to 185 to challenge DDP, when such a cut is near death for the guy.

Only other thing would be the UFC moving Alex up to prepare for Jones as Jones continues to avoid Aspinall, but that would fucking suck instead of Jones/Aspinall.

 

[Kevster]

Ank not turning down fights he said he would take would be a good start.

 

[Domitian]

UFC clearly likes to protect their assets. It would be nice though if people stopped blaming Poatan for it.

 

[Spam On Rye]

Almost feels like Ank is going out of his way not to get a title fight.

 

[Luthien]

That Ankalaev stops turning down every fight that Poatan offers him

 

[Contempt]

You turn down fights and be a pain in the ass for the UFC to deal with, they WILL send a message to discourage other fighters from doing the same.

Is normal.

 

[Luthien]

The Chad Poatan: I'll fight injured, any time, any place! Fights three times in a year.
The Virgin Ankalaev: Ahhhhh!!! There is a full moon out, I can't fight this year, sorry.

Gee, I wonder who the UFC prefers working with

 

[MarioLemieux]

Some of the blame lies on Alex, he has said things to indicate he doesn't want the fight either which I don't get because I think Alex KO's him. Annoying though and the UFC is also involved.

 

[sdpdude9]

They booked both guys weeks apart but not against each other. They have only offered Ankalaev the fight when they know he’s unavailable long before. I find it funny people are acting like it’s Ankalaev’s fault, it’s obvious the promotion doesn’t want to make this fight.

 

[FreedomCricket]

Didn't vote because your poll options suck.

Pereira has accepted 2 fights against Ank and Ank has declined both fights.

It would take a first hand admission from Pereira saying he doesn't want to fight Ankaleav before I believe that he is ducking.

 

[Meathead Jock]

I would be cheering for Alex to win if they fight, but they clearly think Magomed has a high enough chance to win that they don't want to make the fight.

1. Poaton is a star.
2. Magomed would be about as popular as Belal, which makes them less money.

I'm not even saying Poaton can't win but it's clear the UFC isn't comfortable with the odds and having to have Magomed headline events.