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A former UFC legend has sent shockwaves through the MMA community with startling revelations about Magomed Ankalaev’s skillset ahead of his UFC 313 showdown against light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. Anticipation for this clash has skyrocketed, not just because it’s a title fight, but because it pits two proven warriors at the peak of their powers. Pereira, the Brazilian knockout artist renowned for his explosive striking, faces Ankalaev—a Russian grappling phenom undefeated in his last 13 UFC bouts and dubbed Pereira’s toughest challenge yet.
But as fight night looms, a cryptic warning from an ex-UFC star adds fuel to the fire: Ankalaev, he insists, is far more than just a grappler.
Why Ankalaev isn’t just a grappler
While the MMA world buzzes about a potential superfight between Alex Pereira and Jon Jones, former UFC fighter Brendan Schaub has thrown cold water on the hype. Schaub argues that overlooking Magomed Ankalaev’s threat is a grave mistake, hinting that the Dagestani’s multifaceted skills could derail Pereira’s legacy plans. Schaub’s skepticism aligns with a bombshell analysis from another UFC veteran, who claims Ankalaev’s reputation as a grappling specialist is a dangerous misconception.
Schaub dropped a viral breakdown of Ankalaev’s fighting identity. In a candid YouTube video, Schaub dismantled the narrative that Ankalaev is merely a wrestler:
“The main event, I can’t wait for it. This has been, for Alex, especially since he got to light heavyweight, everyone’s like, ‘He needs to fight a grappler, that’s his Achilles heel’. I can’t emphasize this enough: Ankalaev is a striker by all means. He fancies himself a striker. This is not a test of grappler vs striker—it’s striker vs striker.”
Schaub’s take flips the script. Ankalaev’s sambo background and Dagestani roots often pigeonhole him as a takedown machine, but Schaub stresses his striking-first mentality. Unlike Khabib Nurmagomedov’s grappling-centric disciples, Magomed Ankalaev’s fight tape reveals crisp boxing combos, slick footwork, and a willingness to trade blows. For Alex Pereira, this means the threat isn’t just on the mat—it’s in every exchange.
Schaub’s warnings and Schaub’s insights paint a chilling picture: Ankalaev’s versatility could force Pereira into a stand-up battle where one wrong move ends the night. If Pereira assumes Ankalaev will shoot for takedowns, he might walk into a sniper’s counter. Conversely, if Ankalaev mixes feints and level changes, Pereira’s legendary composure could crack under layered pressure.
UFC 313 isn’t just a title defense for Pereira—it’s a high-stakes puzzle. Will the champion’s thunderous strikes shut down Ankalaev’s striking gamble? Or will the challenger’s hidden depth expose Pereira’s blind spots? With legends like Bisping and Schaub sounding alarms, one thing’s clear: underestimating Magomed Ankalaev could be Alex Pereira’s costliest mistake yet. Tune in to witness a clash where perception meets reality—and secrets turn into highlights.
