Alex Pereira is serious about making Magomed Ankalaev wait on the sidelines for a title shot.
That’s according to UFC commentator Joe Rogan, who claims Pereira is planning a March return specifically because it’s during Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and reflection for Muslims. Rogan was discussing what might be next for “Poatan,” including a potential superfight with Jon Jones. But the former Fear Factor host clearly wanted to see Pereira fight Ankalaev — something Pereira has said isn’t happening next.
“If [Jones vs. Pereira] is gonna happen, they’re both 37, it should probably happen soon,” Rogan said. “But Jon is the heavyweight champion of the world and Pereira has challengers in the light heavyweight division, especially Ankalaev.”
“He’s supposed to be fighting Ankalaev,” Rogan continued. “Ankalaev is f**king very dangerous, and he’s the No. 1 contender, and he’s been on a winning streak for a long ass time. He’s only got one draw, and that was to Jan Blachowicz, who was the former champion. He’s at the top of the heap and he’s been waiting for a title shot for a long time.”
“But he’s been talking a lot of s**t and Alex doesn’t like that he talks s**t, so he’s like, ‘F**k him, make him wait.’ Alex just said that he’s gonna fight in March and that he’s not gonna fight Ankalaev. Because If he’s fighting in March, when is Ramadan? … Ankalaev wouldn’t be able to fight in March, he’s gotta go through the entire month of Ramadan preparing for a world title fight? February 28th to March 29th. That’s exactly during the time period when [Pereira] is going to fight.”
“You can drink water and eat food, but you can only do it after sundown,” Rogan explained.
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard of the ‘Ramadan strategy.’ Before Merab Dvalishvili accepted a UFC 311 fight against Umar Nurmagomedov in January, he also planned to make his return in March. That let to a whole load of accusations from Umar that Merab was ducking him. And while the UFC was able to get Dvalishvili into the cage on their timeline, Pereira has more of a say after saving the UFC’s ass several times in 2024. If he makes himself available only in March, then the UFC may go along.
That leaves Ankalaev in a tough position: train through Ramadan (which is possible but not optimal, just ask Belal Muhammad), wait until later in 2025 for Pereira, or fight again and risk your No. 1 contender spot.
