Magomed Ankalaev isn’t getting sucked into all of the drama forward of his rematch with Alex Pereira.
After taking the sunshine heavyweight throne from ‘Poatan’ in March, Ankalaev will put his crown up for grabs in opposition to the Brazilian bruiser in one of the vital anticipated sequels of the yr.
Within the weeks main as much as their UFC 320 headliner, tensions have been rising between the 2 205-pound stars. However after exchanging phrases on the UFC Efficiency Institute final month, Ankalaev is content material to go away the “baggage” behind and give attention to the duty at hand.
“You recognize, there’s not like an emotional baggage that I’m bringing to this factor or like an emotional one thing,” Ankalaev mentioned in an interview with the UFC. “It’s—mainly, he mentioned what he mentioned. He mentioned I hid from him. I heard it. That basically upset me. I didn’t like that. So, I discovered him and I mentioned, ‘You had been in search of me? Right here I’m. I’m not hiding.’ Then he answered to me. I used to be happy with no matter reply I obtained and I let it go. I’m not concentrating on that.
“So, it’s not like I’m emotionally distraught going into this combat—in no way. Aside from that, respect, no matter, there’s nothing that I’m occupied with besides I’m concentrating on the combat. I don’t care about the remainder of the noise.”
Ankalaev is the odds-On favourite in Pereira rematch
Ankalaev goes into his first gentle heavyweight title protection as a reasonable favourite, trending on sportsbooks at -250, that means a $250 wager would web you $100, ought to the Dagestani come out on prime.
Nevertheless, in case you imagine that Ankalaev will bounce again following his lackluster efficiency the primary time round, a $100 wager might rating you $230.
Who do you see leaving ‘Sin Metropolis’ with gold wrapped round their waist this weekend?
