{"id":193020,"date":"2025-10-06T11:56:08","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T11:56:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/193020\/"},"modified":"2025-10-06T11:56:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T11:56:08","slug":"magomed-ankalaev-releases-first-statement-after-losing-ufc-title-to-alex-pereira","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/193020\/","title":{"rendered":"Magomed Ankalaev releases first statement after losing UFC title to Alex Pereira"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_b7vb8hrqu\">Magomed Ankalaev has released his first statement after losing his light heavyweight title to Alex Pereira in stunning fashion at UFC 320. <\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_rtecxu8zo\">Unbeaten since being submitted in the very last second of his UFC debut against Paul Craig in 2018, Ankalaev unseated Pereira at UFC 313 via unanimous decision after \u201cPoatan\u201d had previously defended his light heavyweight title on three occasions. <\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_lj5lvr803\">The two men met in an immediate rematch last weekend as the main event of UFC 320, where Pereira <a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_gsswpw\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/ufc-320-live-magomed-ankalaev-vs-alex-pereira-2-live-stream-results-highlights\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">avenged his loss and reclaimed his title<\/a> by viciously stopping Ankalaev in just over a minute. <\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_cmg1y7tyv\">Ankalaev <a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_gsswpw\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DPcHm2RDh2z\/?hl=en\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">took to Instagram<\/a> the day after UFC 320 to reflect on his loss, and it certainly doesn&#8217;t seem like the 33-year-old is disheartened at all by the quick loss after he entered the Pereira rematch as a more than two to one favorite. <\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_osjb50rr6\">READ MORE:<br \/><a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_gsswpw\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/dana-white-sends-cringe-message-on-conor-mcgregor-ufc-white-house-comeback-fight\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Dana White sends cringe message on Conor McGregor&#8217;s UFC White House comeback fight<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_93hq5xz37\">\u201cIf Allah tested me with defeat, then He wants to toughen me. I bow to His will, but not to difficulties. To those who stayed &#8211; thank you. To those who turned out, thank you too. After all, Allah clears the way not only of weakness, but also of unnecessary people\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_dafdggfbv\">Following the loss to Craig in his UFC debut, Ankalaev won nine-straight fights to set up a fight for the vacant light heavyweight title against Jan Blachowciz at UFC 282. That bout ended in a draw that left the 205 lbs. belt vacant, and it took two more wins (and a 2023 No Contest in his first meeting with <a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_gsswpw\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/upset-knockout-rocks-ufc-card-as-hometown-favorite-beaten-to-pulp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Johnny Walker<\/a>) for Ankalaev to secure another title shot against Pereira last March. <\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_muqc790r0\">While the narrative of a trilogy fight is always intriguing for fight fans, it doesn\u2019t seem like the UFC brass are especially keen in setting up a third meeting between Pereira and Ankalaev <a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_gsswpw\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/alex-pereira-makes-case-for-blockbuster-ufc-heavyweight-title-fight-viral-ko\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">in the immediate aftermath<\/a> of UFC 320. <\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_wtoj5eawe\">READ MORE: <br \/><a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_gsswpw\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/ufc-dana-white-makes-bold-claim-about-merab-dvalishvili-s-bantamweight-goat-status\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">UFC&#8217;s Dana White makes bold claim about Merab Dvalishvili&#8217;s bantamweight GOAT status<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_qamhwaca8\">Partially serving as insurance in case one of the card\u2019s headlining fighters might be forced to pull out of the event, the main card of UFC 320 also saw former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Ji\u0159\u00ed Proch\u00e1zka pull off an incredible comeback to stop former title challenger Khalil Rountree Jr. in the third round. <\/p>\n<p><img class=\"base_1emrqjj-o_O-initial_fzbddc-o_O-style_1a1csmw\" alt=\"Alex Pereira (blue gloves) reacts after the fight against Magomed Ankalaev (red gloves) during UFC 320 at T-Mobile Arena. \" title=\"Alex Pereira (blue gloves) reacts after the fight against Magomed Ankalaev (red gloves) during UFC 320 at T-Mobile Arena. \"\/><\/p>\n<p>Alex Pereira (blue gloves) reacts after the fight against Magomed Ankalaev (red gloves) during UFC 320 at T-Mobile Arena.  \/ Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_lywbmwnm1\">Proch\u00e1zka was watching intently from cage side <a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_gsswpw\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/alex-pereira-reveals-he-suffered-brutal-injury-during-ufc-320-fight\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">as Pereira finished Ankalaev<\/a>, but the 32-year-old has already suffered two stoppage-losses at the hands of the now two-time light heavyweight champion. #3-ranked Carlos Ulberg was also in attendance at T-Mobile Arena to watch UFC 320, and \u201cBlack Jag\u201d appears to be the frontrunner to challenge Pereira next following his <a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_gsswpw\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/ufc-perth-ko-carlos-ulberg-fight-ankalaev-vs-pereira-winner\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">first-round knockout of Dominick Reyes<\/a> at UFC Perth. <\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_4nh8p52mn\">\u2022 <a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_gsswpw\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/dana-white-reveals-huge-ufc-main-co-main-event-fights-for-november-qatar-event\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Dana White reveals huge UFC main and co-main event fights for November Qatar event<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_8ntnqrm9p\">\u2022 <a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_gsswpw\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/ian-garry-says-carlos-prates-plans-fake-ufc-retirement-after-winning-title\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ian Garry claims Carlos Prates revealed fake UFC retirement scheme for rematch payday<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_3qd60e6j3\">\u2022 <a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_gsswpw\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/conor-mcgregor-shares-interesting-caveat-in-negotiations-ufc-white-house-fight\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Conor McGregor shares interesting caveat in negotiations for UFC White House fight<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_fvgxsx7gc\">\u2022 <a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_gsswpw\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\/news\/ilia-topuria-ranked-over-jon-jones-ufc-sean-omalley-pound-for-pound\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ilia Topuria ranked over Jon Jones in ex-UFC champ&#8217;s shocking pound-for-pound pick<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_2jjjayu55\">Stick with <a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_gsswpw\" href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/mma\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">MMAKnockout<\/a> for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.<\/p>\n<p class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_mxvz7o-o_O-style_12bse5w-o_O-style_6s3kpz\" data-mm-id=\"_iga0yym3p\">Follow MMAKnockout on <a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_gsswpw\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MMAKnockoutSI\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Facebook<\/a>, <a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_gsswpw\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/UFCKnockout\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Twitter<\/a>, and <a class=\"tagStyle_16dbupz-o_O-style_gsswpw\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/mmaknockoutsi\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Magomed Ankalaev has released his first statement after losing his light heavyweight title to Alex Pereira in stunning&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":193021,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[444],"tags":[49,48,641,638,82],"class_list":{"0":"post-193020","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mma","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-canada","10":"tag-fighting","11":"tag-mma","12":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/193020","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=193020"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/193020\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/193021"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=193020"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=193020"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=193020"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}