Magomed Ankalaev responds to Alex Pereira’s $200k bet ahead of UFC 313 title fight
The UFC 313 main event between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev might have more than a belt on the line.
UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira faces arguably the toughest test of his title reign against Magomed Ankalaev in the UFC 313 headliner this Saturday. After months of bad blood brewing between the two juggernauts, Pereira and Ankalaev will back up their words with actions and clash in one of the most intriguing stylistic matchups in recent light heavyweight history.
Ankalaev earned the title shot after a 13-fight unbeaten streak, featuring recent wins over Johnny Walker and Aleksandar Rakić. Meanwhile, Pereira returns to the cage after making a leading case for ‘Fighter of the Year’ in 2024, featuring three successful title defenses.
The pre-fight banter between Pereira and Ankalaev hasn’t fallen short of the mark leading up to UFC 313, and things got even more interesting as fight week kicked off in Las Vegas.
Magomed Ankalaev answers Alex Pereira’s proposed $200k bet for charity
It all began when Pereira proposed a UFC 313 bet with Ankalaev on social media for a noble cause.
“Since you are so confident you will win, $200,000 to the winners charity of choice,” Pereira proposed on X. “Win or lose this will help those in need. It’s in your hands [Magomed].”
It didn’t take long for Ankalaev to respond on his X account.
“As a Muslim you know betting is forbidden in Islam, and also as a Muslim every year I have to give 2.5% of my wealth to charity this is one of the five pillars of Islam,” Ankalaev said. “Many kids around the world are in need and we can do things after the fight but we don’t have to publicize it.
“Your manager and my manager have a good relationship and we can let them handle that. See you soon. Ramadan Mubarak.”
Pereira hasn’t responded to Ankalaev’s comments, but the two sides will come face-to-face at the UFC 313 pre-fight press conference on Thursday. We could learn by the end of the week whether or not the two light heavyweights will follow through with their proposed gamble.
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Alex Pereira is chasing one of Jon Jones’ UFC records vs. Magomed Ankalaev
In addition to the potential $200k wager, Pereira is chasing one of Jon Jones’ light heavyweight records at UFC 313. A win over Ankalaev would notch his fourth title defense in 329 days, 35 days faster than Jones’ four-defense reign against Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, and Vitor Belfort.
Ankalaev is also inching closer to a separate Jones record at UFC 313. His 13-fight unbeaten streak is five wins away from matching Jones’ record-setting 18-fight unbeaten run during his multiple light heavyweight title reigns.
No matter who wins at UFC 313, history will move one step closer to coming to fruition in the light heavyweight division.
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