Ankalaev ‘superior everywhere,’ will knock out Pereira

Ali Abdelaziz is assured Magomed Ankalaev would be the one to take out UFC gentle heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) retained his gentle heavyweight title with a brutal fourth-round TKO of Khalil Rountree in Saturday’s UFC 307 main event at Delta Heart in Salt Lake Metropolis.

Pereira plans on staying put at 205 kilos, and Abdelaziz expects Ankalaev (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) to cement himself as No. 1 contender if he can get previous Aleksandar Rakic Oct. 26 at UFC 308. Nobody has had a solution for Pereira on the toes at 205 kilos, however Abdelaziz says Ankalaev has the instruments to beat him at his personal sport.

“I actually consider I believe he’ll knock out Alex Pereira,” Abdelaziz advised Submission Radio. “I consider he has each ability set to do it, and I consider he’ll do it. I didn’t know an excessive amount of about Khalil earlier than. I assumed he was a 50-50 sort of fighter. Yesterday, I’m a fan for lifetime of Khalil Rountree. Khalil Rountree dropped him two instances.

“I consider Ankalaev has far more precision, approach smarter than each of them. I consider Alex Pereira’s chin is a bit bit higher at gentle heavyweight, however the man has been in so many wars, and I consider his chin shouldn’t be there, and it’s regular. It’s not knocking on him. I don’t suppose his chin is there 100%.”

Abdelaziz dismissed the notion that the UFC is making an attempt to guard Pereira by giving him favorable stylistic matchups, however sees Ankalaev because the extra well-rounded fighter.

“I believe Alex is a superb champion, however I believe Ankalaev is superior in all places,” Abdelaziz mentioned. “I consider Ankalaev will beat him in wrestling and grappling. I consider Ankalaev doesn’t get hit.”

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