In the aftermath of his light heavyweight title loss to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313, former champion Alex Pereira has found himself at the center of controversy. Ankalaev’s coach, Sukhrab Magomedov, accused Pereira of applying a slippery substance to his body to thwart takedown attempts during their bout. Pereira has firmly denied these allegations, attributing Ankalaev’s unsuccessful takedown attempts to ineffective strategy and execution.
The Allegations
During their March 8 fight at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Pereira successfully defended all 12 of Ankalaev’s takedown attempts. Post-fight, Magomedov suggested that Pereira’s resistance was due to the application of a greasy substance, making grappling challenging. He remarked that Pereira’s body appeared unusually slick, with sweat not dissipating as expected. Magomedov further hinted at possible involvement from Pereira’s corner, notably former champion Glover Teixeira, suggesting a familiarity with such tactics.
Pereira’s Rebuttal
In a recent interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, Pereira addressed the cheating accusations head-on. He stated, “Absolutely did not put anything on my body.” Pereira interpreted Magomedov’s comments as an attempt to rationalize Ankalaev’s failed takedown strategy, pointing out that Ankalaev’s corner had prepared specifically for grappling, yet none of their attempts succeeded. He further quipped, “You also have to ask his coach if we put oil and vaseline on the mats too, is that why Ankalaev fell on his back?“
Fan and Fighter Reactions
The exchange has sparked varied reactions within the MMA community. Some fans view Magomedov’s allegations as unfounded, especially given Ankalaev’s corner’s focus on grappling, which yielded no successful takedowns. One fan commented, “He won. Why is his team crying?“
Conversely, others believe that fighters might resort to such tactics to gain an edge, suggesting that accusations like these are part of the competitive landscape. However, without concrete evidence, many dismiss the claims as mere post-fight rhetoric.
Looking Ahead
Despite the controversy, both Pereira and Ankalaev have expressed interest in a rematch. Pereira’s team has voiced disagreement with the judges’ decision at UFC 313, believing that Pereira secured rounds one, three, and five. They are confident that, should a rematch occur, fans will witness an improved version of Pereira.
As discussions for a potential rematch continue, the MMA community remains divided over the cheating allegations. While some call for concrete evidence before passing judgment, others acknowledge that such claims are part and parcel of the sport’s competitive nature. Regardless, the prospect of a second bout between Pereira and Ankalaev has fans eagerly anticipating what promises to be another thrilling chapter in the light heavyweight division.
