Magomed Ankalaev Critiques Alex Pereira’s Attacking Ability, Reveals Key Weaknesses
Magomed Ankalaev has made waves in the MMA world by openly critiquing Alex Pereira’s attacking skills, calling them overrated and revealing key weaknesses in the former middleweight champion’s game. Ankalaev, a rising star in the light heavyweight division, has faced some of the toughest competitors in the UFC, and his observations about Pereira, who has risen to prominence for his knockout power, have sparked plenty of interest in the MMA community.
In an exclusive interview, Ankalaev didn’t hold back, claiming that while Pereira’s striking is undeniably dangerous, it is not as well-rounded as many fans and analysts have made it out to be. “Pereira’s striking is dangerous, but it’s overrated in some aspects,” said Ankalaev. “He has knockout power, but his ability to attack in multiple dimensions isn’t as refined as people think.”
Ankalaev, known for his own well-rounded skillset and tactical approach, pointed out that Pereira’s attacking style can be predictable at times, especially when his opponents are able to neutralize his power punches. Pereira’s striking has been built around his Muay Thai background, focusing heavily on power strikes and aggression. However, Ankalaev argued that when facing an opponent with solid defense and a strong counter-striking game, Pereira’s attack can become less effective.
“Alex has great power, but if you can avoid getting hit by that power, his offensive game falls apart,” Ankalaev continued. “His attacks often follow a similar rhythm, and that’s where his weaknesses lie. He doesn’t always mix up his striking well enough to confuse his opponents.”
Ankalaev’s critique of Pereira goes beyond just his striking. He also pointed out that Pereira’s ground game has been a point of vulnerability in his career. While Pereira is known for his dynamic striking and knockout power, Ankalaev highlighted that his opponent’s grappling skills are still underdeveloped compared to other top-tier fighters. “He’s been able to avoid grappling situations in his career so far, but if he gets caught in a bad position, it’s clear that he struggles,” Ankalaev said.
This criticism is particularly notable coming from Ankalaev, who is considered one of the best all-around fighters in the UFC today. Known for his striking, wrestling, and ability to control the pace of a fight, Ankalaev’s own game is built on versatility. By pointing out Pereira’s limitations, he is offering insight into how a top-level fighter like himself might look to exploit those weaknesses in a future matchup.
As for Pereira, the former champion has proven time and again that he can knock out even the toughest of opponents, including his iconic knockout of Israel Adesanya to win the middleweight title. However, this statement by Ankalaev opens up questions about how Pereira might fare against fighters who can neutralize his attack and expose his vulnerabilities in other areas of MMA.
Ankalaev’s comments have sparked heated debates among fans and analysts alike, with some agreeing that Pereira’s attacking game may indeed have some flaws, while others point to his incredible knockout power as enough to keep him at the top of the division. Pereira’s fight IQ, strategy, and adaptability will undoubtedly continue to be discussed as he moves forward in his career, especially after losing his middleweight title to Israel Adesanya in a rematch earlier this year.
If Ankalaev and Pereira ever meet inside the Octagon, it promises to be an intriguing battle of styles. Ankalaev’s calculated, well-rounded approach could serve as the perfect counter to Pereira’s aggressive striking. How Pereira reacts to Ankalaev’s ability to exploit weaknesses in his game will be a key storyline for their potential matchup.
In the ever-evolving world of MMA, critiques like Ankalaev’s add another layer of intrigue to the sport’s ongoing rivalries, and fans can only speculate on what might unfold should these two fighters meet in the future.
