In a fervent discussion surrounding the upcoming rematch between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev, UFC fighter Jamahal Hill has outlined critical adjustments Pereira must make if he hopes to reclaim the light heavyweight title. Following Pereira’s unanimous decision loss to Ankalaev at UFC 313 earlier this month at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Hill expressed his thoughts on what the Brazilian fighter needs to focus on in preparation for their anticipated clash.
Pereira, 12-3 in mixed martial arts (MMA) and 9-2 in the UFC, faced a significant challenge during UFC 313. Despite demonstrating remarkable defense by stopping all 12 of Ankalaev’s takedown attempts, he was outstruck throughout the bout, ultimately leading to his defeat. Hill, who accurately predicted Ankalaev’s victory, emphasized that "Poatan" must not be tentative in his offensive approach if he wishes to turn the tables in their rematch. "I think he can, I think he's very capable of making the adjustments that he needs to make to win that fight," Hill remarked during an interview with Home of Fight.
As the MMA community buzzes with anticipation for the rematch, Ankalaev has wasted no time in promoting the event. On March 20, 2025, Ankalaev announced on his social media that he had accepted a proposed fight date, stating, "This time there will be no 5 rounds, I don’t get paid by the hour #BigANK." Such confidence raises the stakes for both fighters, as they prepare for a bout that many expect to see changes in strategy from Pereira.
According to Hill, one of the significant areas for Pereira to improve upon is his cardio and offensive output, especially in terms of kicks. "He's going to have to up his cardio a lot because his output is going to have to go up," Hill suggested. This strategic shift will be crucial, as Pereira aims to avoid being overwhelmed by Ankalaev’s striking prowess in their next encounter.
Michael Bisping, another veteran fighter, also weighed in on Pereira’s fighting frequency, pointing out that despite losing at UFC 313, Pereira fought three times in 2024 and won all his bouts. "Champs don’t fight usually as regularly as what Pereira did," Bisping observed, highlighting the Brazilian’s commitment to his craft.
Moreover, Bisping believes Pereira will have approximately seven months to prepare for this rematch against the current champion. This time frame could provide Pereira ample opportunity to refine his tactics and strategy. The importance of this rematch cannot be understated in the high-stakes world of mixed martial arts, where careers and reputations are often defined by a single fight.
Interestingly, as the discussions about this rematch unfold, Pereira demonstrated a keen awareness of the social media dynamics at play. His response to Ankalaev’s tweet included a mention of "Let’s go Ali", referencing Ali Abdelaziz, who manages Ankalaev’s social media accounts due to the latter's limited English fluency. Back in 2024, Ankalaev confirmed that Abdelaziz handled his online presence, ensuring that messages conveyed strategic insights were well-mapped out. This maneuvering in social media shows the subtlety and layers of strategy that fighters adopt, both inside and outside the octagon.
The fight dynamic itself also sparked widespread debate. Joe Rogan, in a recent episode of his podcast, stated that Ankalaev deserved his victory against Pereira due to his ability to exploit the Brazilian's weaknesses during their bout. Rogan remarked, “But it was so technical, and Ankalaev just did a fantastic job shutting down the scariest guy in the division.” His analysis emphasizes the need for Pereira to rethink his approach and adjust accordingly.
Looking ahead, the conversations about whether Pereira can indeed bounce back and secure a victory against Ankalaev remain nuanced. As Hill pointed out, this will necessitate not just physical training but also mental strategizing. With the added attention on their rematch propelling the fighters into the spotlight, the narrative of underdog battling champion will surely captivate audiences during the lead-up of their next fight.
In summary, the fight set to determine not only the fate of the light heavyweight title but also the trajectories of both fighters’ careers promises to be a compelling one. With Hill’s insights spotlighting the adjustments Pereira must make and Ankalaev’s established dominance in their previous encounter, expectations are sky-high for the upcoming rematch. Will Pereira’s hard work and strategic changes pay off, or will Ankalaev prove to be an unbeatable challenge once more? The MMA world will be watching closely as these two fighters prepare to clash again.
