Alex Pereira names preferred option for first light heavyweight title defence

Alex Pereira believes that there is only one man who is the rightful challenger to his throne in the UFC’s light heavyweight division.

Former 205-pound Jamahal Hill, who has been out of action for the past year due to an achilles injury sustained soon after he won the title in a five-round battle with Glover Teixeira, is the rightful next challenger, Pereira has said on social media. The Brazilian’s comments come days after Magomed Ankalaev moved a few rungs up the ladder of contenders with a second-round TKO win against Johnny Walker in this past weekend’s UFC main event fight in Las Vegas.

“Guys let’s focus on what matters which is Jamahal Hill,” Pereira wrote on Instagram, after translation. “And then I’ll focus on breaking another record by making two title defences in the shortest time possible.”

Pereira’s statement follows post-fight comments made by Ankalaev on Saturday night. “The math works out,” the Russian fighter said to the media.  “I’m more deserving of the belt because I have 10 victories, and six of them knockouts. Jamahal Hill has eight fights total in the UFC, so it’s just clear I’m a more deserving contender than Jamahal Hill.”

“Now, for [Pereira’s coach] Glover Teixeira, I have a message: Don’t waste your time and try to teach your student how to wrestle,” Ankalaev added. “He’s not going to need it. I’m going to come out there, stand across him and I know that he’s been knocked out before as a middleweight, so imagine what’s going to happen at light heavyweight. Trust me, he’s not going to feel comfortable there.”

But according to Pereira’s own statement, it seems as though Ankalaev may have to wait his turn to get a second crack at the title.

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