Ankalaev Points Finger at Pereira for Lackluster UFC 313 Main Event: “He Ran the Whole Fight”

The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas witnessed what should have been an explosive clash between two of UFC’s premier light heavyweights on Saturday night. Instead, fans got what many are calling a “tactical chess match” – which is fight world code for “not exactly a barn-burner.”

Magomed Ankalaev walked away with a unanimous decision victory over Alex Pereira in the UFC 313 main event, but he’s not exactly celebrating the manner in which it happened. The Russian contender has placed the blame squarely on the shoulders of “Poatan” for the fight’s lack of fireworks.

Ankalaev: “I Came to Fight, He Came to Run”

I’ve covered hundreds of UFC events, and the post-fight narrative is often more entertaining than the fight itself. This is definitely one of those cases.

During his post-fight interview, Ankalaev didn’t mince words about why the main event failed to live up to expectations:

“I came here to put on a show for the fans. I wanted to engage and create an exciting fight, but Pereira was constantly moving away and refusing to exchange. What am I supposed to do if my opponent runs the whole time?”

The numbers somewhat back up Ankalaev’s claims. Pereira, normally known for his aggressive striking and highlight-reel knockouts, attempted just 63 total strikes throughout the five-round affair, landing only 38. Ankalaev, while not exactly setting the world on fire himself, at least initiated more offense with 78 strike attempts.

Strategic Retreat or Smart Game Plan?

Look, I get it. When you’re facing someone with Ankalaev’s grappling credentials and knockout power, caution isn’t just advised – it’s necessary. But Pereira has built his reputation on being the guy who brings the fight to his opponents, not the other way around.

UFC commentator Joe Rogan noted during the broadcast: “Pereira seems unusually hesitant tonight. This is not the same aggressive striker we’ve seen demolish opponents in previous fights.”

The Brazilian champion, who moved up from middleweight to claim light heavyweight gold, employed a more measured approach than fans have grown accustomed to seeing. Whether this was respect for Ankalaev’s power or part of a strategy that simply didn’t pan out remains up for debate.

By The Numbers: UFC 313 Main Event

Title Shot Implications

Despite the underwhelming nature of the victory, Ankalaev has firmly positioned himself as the next challenger for the light heavyweight title. The win extends his impressive UFC record to 10-1-1, with his only setback being a controversial draw against Jan Blachowicz in December 2022.

UFC President Dana White, notorious for prioritizing entertaining fighters, gave a surprisingly positive assessment of Ankalaev’s performance during the post-fight press conference:

“Look, sometimes you need to be tactical to win at this level. Ankalaev did what he needed to do against a dangerous opponent. Is he next for a title shot? We’ll see, but he’s definitely in that conversation.”

What’s Next For Both Fighters?

For Ankalaev, the path forward seems clear: wait for the title opportunity he believes he’s earned. At 32 years old and in his prime fighting years, the Dagestani fighter has the luxury of patience.

Pereira’s situation is more complicated. Having moved up from middleweight to capture the light heavyweight title, this setback raises questions about whether he should return to 185 pounds where his knockout power might be more impactful.

I personally think Pereira would benefit from another non-title fight at light heavyweight before jumping back into championship contention. Someone like Jamahal Hill or the winner of Jiri Prochazka vs. Aleksandar Rakić would make for a compelling matchup.

Fan Reaction: Mixed at Best

The Las Vegas crowd made their feelings known throughout the later rounds, with boos raining down as both fighters seemed hesitant to engage. Social media wasn’t any kinder, with fans expressing disappointment at what was billed as a potential “Fight of the Year” candidate.

One Twitter user summed it up perfectly: “I’ve seen more action in a library during finals week.”

That said, fighting at the elite level isn’t always about pleasing fans – sometimes it’s about neutralizing your opponent’s strengths and exposing their weaknesses. By that measure, Ankalaev executed his game plan effectively, even if it didn’t make for the most entertaining television.

The Takeaway

UFC 313’s main event won’t be making any highlight reels anytime soon, but it does reinforce an important truth about high-stakes MMA: sometimes, the smartest approach isn’t the most crowd-pleasing one.

For Ankalaev, this victory should be enough to secure his long-awaited title shot. For Pereira, it’s a humbling reminder that the same aggressive style that made him a two-division champion might need refinement against certain opponents.

What did you think of the fight? Was Ankalaev right to blame Pereira for the lack of action, or should both fighters share responsibility? Let us know in the comments!

Source: UFC 313 Post-Fight Press Conference and Official UFC Statistics