UFC champ Alex Pereira says Magomed Ankalaev refused to fight him; Ankalaev says otherwise

Alex Pereira says he was ready to defend his UFC light heavyweight championship against Magomed Ankalaev next.

Instead, Pereira (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) drew Khalil Rountree (13-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) in the UFC 307 main event Oct. 5 in Salt Lake City. Ankalaev (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) will face Aleksandar Rakic Oct. 26 at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi.

The matchmaking left many confused, but Pereira claims it’s Ankalaev who didn’t want to fight him.

“A lot of people ask me, I always wanted to fight against Ankalaev,” Pereira said in Protguese, according to his YouTube channel translation. “I threw that to the organization, left it very clear, but Ankalaev didn’t want to fight against me. I don’t know the reason, if it was the location, if he just didn’t want to. He isn’t the champion. He can’t pick anything.

“I think it’s the opportunity that shows up. He didn’t want it. He has his reasoning. I don’t know what it is. I came to tell you guys I’m not scared of anyone. Everyone knows my history, everything I’ve done, who I went against – not just in MMA but kickboxing. It’s obvious that I want to fight this guy.”

Ankalaev, who’s unbeaten in his past 12 fights, said otherwise, claiming that the UFC never offered him a title fight.

“@AlexPereiraUFC you are a liar. You said I turned (fight) down against you. @danawhite @Mickmaynard2 never offer me a fight against you. I’m gonna make you eat your word after I handle my business.”