Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev faced off in person for the first time ahead of their UFC 320 title rematch.
Pereira is looking to reclaim the light heavyweight belt he lost to Ankalaev seven months ago, and there has been no shortage of tension between the two fighters in the build-up.
Recently, things escalated when ‘Poatan’ accused the Dagestani of avoiding him at the UFC Performance Institute, which led to an argument between them conducted through Google Translate.
However, as Pereira stared into his rival’s eyes during the press conference, his thoughts drifted to a different moment from the lead-up to UFC 320.
Alex Pereira holds Magomed Ankalaev to his word ahead of UFC 320 rematch
Ankalaev has been noticeably more active online during this fight camp, regularly taking aim at Pereira on X.
Even though many believe Ali Abdelaziz is running Ankalaev’s account, the Russian has not escaped criticism for the comments.
‘Poatan’ clearly remembered one post in particular and brought it up when the two squared off at the UFC 320 press conference.
“I don’t want to go back to the tyre shop,” Pereira said in Portuguese, referring to a message that Ankalaev posted on social media saying: “You’re gonna be sleeping on your way back working at the tyre shop again.”
Pereira worked at a tyre shop before rising to prominence in combat sports, and the current champion promised to send him back to his roots.
Alex Pereira backs himself to beat Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320
Even with the result of their first meeting, a lot of notable figures are picking Pereira to come out on top in the rematch against Ankalaev.
Besides Dricus du Plessis backing Pereira to get the job done at UFC 320, well-respected striker Stephen Thompson also believes ‘Poatan’ will turn things around from their fight in March.
He told Bloody Elbow: “Alex just didn’t look like the Alex of old and I do believe he was too consistent.
“But, I was there live for that fight and I predicted that the next time that they fight, Alex Pereira is coming with a vengeance.
“You need to give your body time to heal and I think it’s going to be all Alex this time,” he continued. “I think he’s going to go out there and he’s gonna crush him.”