Alex Pereira: 'I've definitely fought tougher opponents' than UFC champ Magomed Ankalaev
Alex Pereira insists Magomed Ankalaev wasn't the sternest test of his career.
After three light heavyweight title defenses against Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka, and Khalil Rountree, Pereira (12-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) lost his belt to Ankalaev by unanimous decision at UFC 313 in March.
There have been talks of a potential title-fight rematch, with Pereira allegedly turning down Ankalaev (21-1-1 MMA, 12-1-1 UFC) for UFC 317 on Saturday. Ankalaev threatened to move on, but "Poatan" thinks he's spoiled fans with his activity during his title run.
"Right now, took some time to recover my body, to heal," Pereira told The Schmo through an interpreter. "I'm going to Brazil right now, keep healing a little bit, spend some time with my family. We are in talks with the UFC, we're gearing up. Let's see. Maybe something around October."
After the fight, Pereira revealed that he entered compromised.
"I've definitely fought tougher opponents," Pereira said of Ankalaev. "The situation itself on that day, the circumstances, made him a hard opponent, but I've definitely fought people way harder than him."
Although he got outstruck by Ankalaev, Pereira defended all 12 of his takedown attempts.
"I'm definitely hungry, but it was a fight that many thought that I won," Pereira said. "Honestly in my mind, I see myself as still the champ because the way that people treat me, the way they look at me."
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