Ankalaev: "The fight with Pereira will not be difficult for me"

Top UFC welterweight Magomed Ankalaev has spoken out about a possible fight with division champion Alex Pereira.

"I don't care who I fight for the belt. I've already fought all the tops in the light heavyweight division. If Pereira goes to heavyweight, I don't care who the UFC puts in.

I can fight Pereira in the standup, I can take him down. I think it won't be that hard for me. I've had tougher fights. Pereira keeps saying, "Shama." I don't have those words, just the name Muhammad. I don't know why the UFC won't let me fight him. He's being protected, he's a spectacular fighter. If Pereira will be unavailable - I will fight someone from the top 5, who will be available," said Ancalaeve at a press conference.

Recall that on October 26, Ankalaev defeated Aleksandar Rakic by unanimous decision of judges at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi, UAE.