Alex Pereira knows that he cannot compete against me in the short term

Magomed Ankalaev claims he was ready to save UFC 310, but Alex Pereira wasn't.

Ankalaev is eager to get his title against Pereira, the light heavyweight champion of the world, so much so that he is even willing to do it without a full camp. When welterweight champion Belal Muhammad was forced out of his title defense against Shavkat Rakhmonov, UFC 310 lost its main event on December 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Both Ankalaev (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) and Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) indicated they would be open to replacing this fight, but Ankalaev says only him be ready to replace this fight.

“Fake news, I’m the only one who was ready for December, but he deserves rest.”

Pereira has competed in three title fights in six months, knocking out Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka and most recently Khalil Rountree at UFC 307 in October.

In an interview with Brazilian podcast Podpah (h/t MMA Fighting), he revealed that his hand still hurts from the fight against Rountree.

“In the fourth round I was throwing jabs and hurt my hand,” Pereira said. “I swear. I thought, “My hand must be broken.” It still hurts. Not always, no, but when I press here it hurts.”

He is undefeated in 13 fights and most recently defeated Aleksandar Rakic ​​​​at UFC 308, Ankalaev Jibe in Pereira because he didn't agree to fight him in the short term.

“Ready to fight anyone on short notice, but with me he knows he has to be ready, he’s not stupid.”

Ankalaev also said his title fight with Pereira could take place in the first quarter of 2025.

“I was offered three dates in December, February and March and I agreed to all three dates which I have to win until KO I have no problem. It’s condition.”

For more information on the card, check out MMA Junkie's UFC 310 event hub.