Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira aren’t letting their feud boil over ahead of their championship rematch.
Following Thursday’s pre-fight press conference for UFC 320 in Las Vegas, Ankalaev and Pereira came face to face and as with their first fight, the two are keeping it all business despite having a clear dislike for each other. Ankalaev defeated Pereira via unanimous decision at UFC 313 this past March and looks to end the feud with another statement victory Saturday.
Watch the intense faceoff
above.
During the staredown, Pereira could be heard saying in Portuguese, “I don’t want to go back to the tire shop” (translation via MMA Fighting’s Guilherme Cruz), a reference to his humble beginnings. Those days are far in the past for “Poatan,” who has won multiple titles in kickboxing and the UFC and seeks to wear gold again if he can avenge his loss to Ankalaev.
For Ankalaev, a win could push Pereira out of the division for good, and further establish the Russian star as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world as he looks to go undefeated in 14 straight fights.
UFC 320 takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday. In the evening’s co-main event, UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili goes for his third straight title defense when he takes on Cory Sandhagen.
