Ali Abdelaziz, a prominent MMA manager, has openly criticized Alex Pereira’s time as a UFC champion, questioning the legitimacy of his rise. Pereira made headlines by capturing the middleweight title from Israel Adesanya in 2021 and then swiftly claiming the light heavyweight belt within four years, impressing fans with his readiness to accept last-minute fights. However, his recent defeat to Magomed Ankalaev at light heavyweight has sparked debate over whether Pereira’s championship path was manipulated by the UFC matchmakers.
Manager alleges UFC influenced title outcomes against Ankalaev
According to Abdelaziz, the UFC deliberately hindered Ankalaev’s chances of becoming champion earlier. He stated,
“UFC has some of the best matchmakers in the world. They have the best minds. [Ankalaev] should have been a champion three fights before [Pereira] fought for the title. It was engineered not to get [him] there … When I got [Ankalaev] and Dana to sit in one room, everything changed.”
This suggests Ankalaev’s delay in earning the belt was a result of behind-the-scenes decisions rather than his performance.
Abdelaziz praises Pereira’s skill but favors Ankalaev’s future
While recognizing Pereira as a formidable competitor, Abdelaziz believes Ankalaev rightfully deserved the championship earlier. He commented,
“I think Alex is a good fighter. I think he’s a real fighter. He’s a lion,”
and added,
“But in a way, Ankalaev should have been champion two, three years ago. Alex would have never been a champion. And I’ll tell you something again: if they fight again — and they will fight again probably in October — it’s going to be worse for Alex.”
This points to confidence in Ankalaev’s ability to dominate in a rematch.
Analysis of fighting styles highlights Ankalaev’s advantage
Abdelaziz underscored Ankalaev’s versatility and skill set as superior to Pereira’s competition history, noting that Pereira faced
“a whole bunch of mediocre strikers”
rather than elite opponents. He explained,
“Now Ankalaev has the confidence. He understands, [Pereira] was a scary guy touching people and knocking them out, but he fought a whole bunch of mediocre strikers. None of these guys was like high level striker. Ankalaev, he can wrestle, he can grapple, and he can strike. Ankalaev is more of a striker than a grappler. And you seen, he hurt Pereira in the fight. Alex didn’t hurt him.”
This assessment stresses Ankalaev’s comprehensive threat in all facets of MMA.
Claims that UFC obstructed Ankalaev and other fighters
Abdelaziz concluded that the UFC intentionally impeded Ankalaev’s path to the title and is continuing similar treatment toward another client, Movsar Evloev. He said,
“Hunter Campbell, Mick Maynard, all of the UFC, they was all sandbagging him. They knew he was coming, and they was praying he’d lose.”
This allegation highlights tensions between fighters’ camps and UFC management regarding matchmaking decisions.
What this means for the future of UFC titles
The ongoing dispute over Alex Pereira’s UFC title reign raises questions about fairness in championship opportunities and matchmaking influence. Ankalaev’s camp is determined to see their fighter claim the belt definitively, setting the stage for a highly anticipated potential rematch in October. Meanwhile, the allegations expose the complex politics within the UFC that may shape which fighters get their title chances when they come.