Magomed Ankalaev Secures Light Heavyweight Title
Magomed Ankalaev claimed the light heavyweight title with a unanimous decision win over Alex Pereira in the main event of UFC 313, but was there any controversy with those scorecards? According to UFC CEO Dana White, the fight may not have been what he expected, but he was confident in the outcome. White noted that Ankalaev’s near knockdown in the second round, his constant pressure, and his effective use of the clinch to control Pereira against the cage were key factors in his victory. Despite the fight being less action-packed than anticipated, White believed Ankalaev’s strategy and execution deserved the win.
Dana White’s Perspective
Dana White, while not blown away by the action during the five-round fight, was not surprised by the decision. "It was not what I expected," White said during the UFC 313 post-fight press conference. "I expected a lot more shooting, I expected a lot more exchanges. I thought Ankalaev won the fight. I wasn’t shocked when I heard the decision." White acknowledged that Pereira, a great champion, might deserve an immediate rematch, but he also emphasized that Ankalaev’s performance should not be underestimated.
Pereira’s Bumpy Road to UFC 313
Prior to the event, Pereira faced numerous questions about his activity outside the cage. He had traveled to Australia to corner Sean Strickland for his fight at UFC 312 and participated in several promotional events. UFC veterans Daniel Cormier and Matt Brown raised concerns about Pereira possibly being distracted leading into one of the toughest fights of his career. White, while unable to confirm if Pereira was indeed distracted, recognized that maintaining discipline and focus becomes challenging for superstars after reaching the pinnacle of success.
The Pressure of Stardom
White noted that it’s common for superstar fighters to face distractions once they reach the top. "I think that’s a question definitely for him to answer," White said about Pereira. "I definitely don’t know his schedule. I know he’s been bouncing around but you see this everywhere when somebody becomes a big star, and they start making lots of money. There are lots of different doors that open and opportunities. But there’s no doubt that everybody knew that Ankalaev was going to be a tough fight for him. Everybody knew that this was probably going to be the biggest challenge of his career."
Ankalaev’s Winning Strategy
Regardless of Pereira’s focus, White refused to discount Ankalaev’s performance. "I wouldn’t take anything from Ankalaev, and the pressure he put on Alex tonight," White emphasized. "Kept pushing forward, even in the fifth round I was listening on the headphones and Alex’s corner was saying ‘you’ve got to go after him this round. You have to let everything go. You’ve got to let your hands go. You’ve got to try to take him out.’" Ankalaev’s relentless pressure and strategic approach ultimately secured him the victory, handing Pereira his first unanimous decision loss in the UFC.
Looking Forward
The immediate rematch seems to be a strong possibility, given Pereira’s status as a champion and the close nature of the fight. While the bout may not have been a barnburner, it certainly highlighted the skill and determination of both fighters. For now, Magomed Ankalaev stands as the new light heavyweight champion, a title he earned through a well-executed game plan and unwavering focus.
