In a shocking turn of events at UFC 313, Magomed Ankalaev handed Alex Pereira a tough loss, halting the Brazilian’s momentum and shaking up the light heavyweight division. Heading into the fight, Pereira was riding high as the reigning champion, known for his devastating knockout power and elite striking. But Ankalaev had other plans. From the opening bell, Ankalaev showcased his well-rounded skill set, using his wrestling and striking to keep Pereira off balance. While Pereira looked dangerous in a few exchanges, Ankalaev’s calculated approach allowed him to avoid the champion’s deadly left hook and capitalize on key moments.
This was the first time when the champion looked a bit rattled in the fight and failed to dominate his opponent. After the fight, Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier analyzed the fight. It seems both of them were highly impressed by Ankalaev and Rogan said, “Really an impressive performance by Ankalaev… Pereira had a hard time fighting on the back foot”. Cormier also added, “He was the one that controlled Poatan… There was a lot of emotion watching the fight”.
What do you feel about Pereira’s performance at UFC 313? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The post “Uncharacteristic”- Joe Rogan Gives Brutal Verdict for Alex Pereira as Magomed Ankalaev Earns Daniel Cormier’s Respect at UFC 313 appeared first on EssentiallySports.