Alex Pereira is told he never would have been light heavyweight champion if UFC didn’t ‘sandbag’ Magomed Ankalaev

According to Magomed Ankalaev’s manager, Alex Pereira has the UFC to thank for his light heavyweight reign.

Pereira enjoyed a record rise to the ranks of two-division champions in the UFC, claiming both the middleweight and light heavyweight titles in his first two years on MMA’s biggest stage.

While the Brazilian failed to record a successful defense at middleweight, he pushed past plenty of challenges while on the throne at 205 pounds. After Pereira knocked out Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295 to win the title, he retained the belt three times with wins over Jamahal Hill, Prochazka in their rematch, and Khalil Rountree Jr.

But according to the manager of the man who eventually unseated him, Pereira’s feat at light heavyweight was entirely “engineered” by the UFC higher-ups.

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Ali Abdelaziz says UFC ‘engineered’ Alex Pereira’s title reign by snubbing Magomed AnkalaevAppearing on the Pound 4 Pound podcast, hosted by two of his fighters in Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo, Ali Abdelaziz spoke about Ankalaev’s crowning this year.

The Dominance MMA CEO said it had been a long time coming, largely down to the UFC “sandbagging” the Dagestani with repeated title shot snubs.

Had Ankalaev received an opportunity when Abdelaziz believes it was first earned, the Egyptian manager insists Pereira’s attainment of two-division status would have been impossible.

“Alex Pereira, it was engineered,” Abdelaziz said. “The UFC has some of the best matchmakers in the world; they have the best minds.

“I think, like you (Usman), you should have been a champion three fights before you fought for the title. It was engineered not to get you there because of your style of fighting, maybe your personality.

“I think Alex is a good fighter. I think he is a real fighter,” Abdelaziz continued. “But Ankalaev should have been champion two, three years ago. Alex would never have been the champion…it should have been Ankalaev’s time. Hunter Campbell, Mick Maynard, all the UFC — they were all sandbagging him. They were praying (for him) to lose.

“If they fight again…it’s going to be worse for Alex…he fought a whole bunch of mediocre strikers. Ankalaev, he can wrestle, he can grapple, he can strike.”

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Alex Pereira says he has fought tougher opponents than Magomed AnkalaevPereira would likely have something to say about Abdelaziz’s assessment, especially after what he recently said about his clash with Ankalaev.

During an interview with The Schmo in late June, Pereira said he’s fought tougher opposition than Ankalaev, despite how their fight unfolded in Las Vegas earlier this year.

“I’ve definitely fought tougher opponents,” Pereira insisted. “The situation itself on that day (UFC 313), the circumstances, made him a hard opponent.

“But I’ve definitely fought people way harder than him.”

In the same discussion, Pereira reiterated that a rematch with the champion is next and will likely take place in October.