“I’m more deserving of a title fight than Jamal Hill and I’m ready to fight Pereira at UFC 300,” the Russian said at the press conference following UFC Fight Night 234. “I’m waiting for the message! If I’m given a chance to fight Pereira for the belt now, we’ll do it beautifully and spectacularly.”
Moreover, Ankalaev promises not to use his wrestling skills in the fight with Pereira and to fight the champion only in the stand-up.
“I could come out and immediately put down Johnny Walker, finish the fight in the parterre. Since I want to fight in the stand-up, to show people the spectacle, I want to make a little message: don’t waste your time fighting – I can knockout Pereira in the stand-up. He’s already been knocked out at middleweight, but at welterweight it’s going to be very hard for him and he’ll feel it soon”
Recall that the fight between Magomed Ankalaev and Johnnie Walker, headlining the Las Vegas event, ended at the 2:42 mark of the second round with the Russian winning by knockout.