Alex Pereira branded 'biggest chicken in the UFC' by top contender after calling out DDP following UFC 305 win despite '40lb' weight difference

19/08/2024 16:23

Alex Pereira has been slapped with the nickname of ‘biggest chicken in the UFC’ despite his regular title defences and speedy rise to the top.

After watching UFC 305, the light-heavyweight champion teased a move back down to middleweight, where he was the original man to dethrone Israel Adesanya. He is keen to challenge for Dricus Du Plessis‘ belt following the South African stopping his old rival on Saturday.

However, top light-heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev believes that this makes him a coward, as he continues eyeing fights with who he views as lesser challenges. The Russian is ranked number two at 205lb, and should be the top contender after Pereira stopped number one Jiri Prochazka twice.

• Who is Dricus Du Plessis?Meet the UFC brawler putting South Africa on the MMA map

Alex Pereira calls out Dricus Du Plessis after UFC 305 victory over Israel Adesanya

On Sunday afternoon in Australia, or Saturday night for US viewers, Dricus Du Plessis defeated Israel Adesanya by fourth round submission in order to retain his middleweight title at UFC 305. It was the first time the former champion had been submitted, and cemented his rival as the division’s top dog.

But immediately afterwards, he had his spotlight somewhat stolen as Alex Pereira emerged, looking to move back down to middleweight where he initially became UFC champion. The current light-heavyweight champion shared a photo of himself captioned "Coming down to 185 one more time".

Du Plessis immediately accepted the challenge, although he was more keen to move up and challenge for a second title. "I honestly don't think Alex Pereira should drop down to 185lbs," Du Plessis said during his post-fight press conference when asked about his rival's post.

"If he wants to, great, perfect, but then we're going to get the excuses. We saw Izzy stiff that man in the first [second] round. I felt Izzy's punching power tonight. You know, Izzy has great timing. He's fast, he's long, and he has great combinations, but I felt the power.

“If Izzy stiffens you like that, you do not want to be in there with me. Especially when you're going to come in there with excuses like I cut too much weight, everyone is going to say that."

Magomed Ankalaev brands Alex Pereira UFC’s ‘biggest chicken’ over DDP callout

The callout from Pereira upset top contender Magomed Ankalaev, who was already frustrated by his position in the division. He will have to defend his status as the number two against number five Aleksander Rakic in October, after the Brazilian makes yet another defence.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Ankalaev made his feelings clear. He called out Pereira for what he perceives to be weight bullying given that he usually balloons to over 220lb after officially making the 205lb light-heavyweight limit.

“Alex Pereira biggest chicken in the UFC,” Ankalaev wrote. “He call out guys middleweight he 40 pound more than them I am the only guy he doesn't even mention my name I promise I'm gonna handle my business in October and I'm gonna knock you out under 2 round.”

Alex Pereira will fight number eight contender instead of Magomed Ankalaev in next title defence

However, before any of that happens Pereira must first get through Khalil Rountree Jr at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The number eight contender emerged as a surprise opponent for the Brazilian ahead of their meeting having recently served a suspension for unknowingly ingesting a banned substance.

While Ankalaev appeared to be the clear top contender, he was announced earlier this summer to be competing in Abu Dhabi at UFC 308. And now Rountree Jr, a more renowned striker, is getting the opportunity instead.

The Pereira vs Rountree fight takes place on October 5 at the Vivint Arena, and headlines a night of interesting action. However, the main and co-main events have baffled fans with the penultimate bout set as a bantamweight title fight between Raquel Pennington and Julianna Pena.

• Who is Dana White? All you need to know about the CEO and President of the UFC