Alex Pereira will have a keen eye on Saturday’s contest between Magomed Ankalaev and Aleksandar Rakic during the main card of UFC 308.
That’s because the winner of the anticipated 205-pound clash could realistically be next in line to challenge the reigning light heavyweight champion.
Ankalaev, in particular, is facing heaps of pressure entering this matchup. He is 18-1-1 with one no-contest and riding a 12-fight unbeaten streak that has lasted six years, plus he has been calling out Pereira all throughout this year.
The 32-year-old from Dagestan has been in the title picture since 2022 but has yet to break through. Ankalaev has a prime opportunity to do just that when he steps into the cage at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
Ankalaev blew his only previous chance at UFC gold by starting slowly in his vacant title bout with Jan Blachowicz at UFC 282 almost two years ago in a bout that ended in a draw, resulting in the belt remaining vacant.
Pereira moved up from the middleweight division where he was briefly champion and beat Blachowicz in his 205-pound debut less than eight months after Ankalaev couldn’t. The former world champion kickboxer has gone on to finish Jiri Prochazka (twice), Jamahal Hill and most recently Khalil Rountree Jr.
Blachowicz is really the only fighter with strong grappling credentials Pereira has fought during his UFC career.
“I think the only reason the UFC put (Rakic) in front of me is to defend the champion,” Ankalaev said Thursday at the UFC 308 pre-fight press conference. “Right now Rakic is in my way so we have to move right through him.”
Ankalaev has one of the strongest wrestling bases in the light heavyweight division, however, Rakic is a strong athlete and no slouch in that department.
“I think we’re the two most well-rounded in the division,” Rakic said. “Of course, he is in my way as well. I want the title shot. I’m ready to crash the party on Saturday and mix things up and talk after the victory to Dana.”
Ankalaev explained Wednesday during UFC 308 Media Day he was “pretty much told” he’s next in line to fight Pereira with a win over Rakic.
The quality of the win, though, could ultimately be what determines what’s next for Ankalaev.
Another highlight knockout win like his second-round stoppage of Johnny Walker in January would do it. An unconvincing outing like his draw with Blachowicz, on the other hand, may not be enough to sway the UFC into booking him against “Poatan.”
Though Rakic is ranked as the No. 5 contender and coming off two consecutive losses with his most recent win occurring 29 months ago, he represents a more difficult style matchup than a bout with Pereira would — in theory, at least, given Ankalaev’s perceived wrestling advantage over the Brazilian.
Both of those Rakic losses were to former champions. One was due to a knee injury against Blachowicz and his most recent appearance was a TKO loss to Prochazka at UFC 300 in a Fight of the Night performance during which the big Austrian was in control until Prochazka put together a highlight finishing sequence. Rakic was also on antibiotics for that bout and was not the same after the opening round.
Something Ankalaev will have to deal with against Rakic, as well as in a potential future bout with Pereira, are low leg kicks.
“We did a lot of work and those low kicks are not going to bother me anymore,” Ankalaev added.
Rakic has been known to throw heavy strikes to his opponents’ calves and it’s a strike Ankalaev struggled to defend against during his draw with Blachowicz.
