UFC light heavyweight champion Brazilian Alex Pereira said that he would like to make the first defense of his title against Russian Magomed Ankalaev.
Lowkick MMA quotes Pereira as saying:
I have heard a lot of people say this, that Ankalaev would be a bad matchup for me, I like that. Ankalaev would be more difficult. I think it’s a really good challenge for me. It would be harder, I agree, but I’ve been training hard. I’ve been evolving with each session. I would have a strategy for Ankalaev, too, of course. If I could choose, I’d pick him over Hill.
Ankalaev had a bout against Johnny Walker at UFC 294 in October. In the first round, Magomed gave Walker a forbidden knee blow to the head, after which the doctor said that the Brazilian could not continue the fight. Ankalaev has 17 wins, one loss and one draw on his record.
Pereira's last fight was against Jiri Prochazka on November 12 at UFC 295. In this confrontation, Alex won by technical knockout in the second round and won the vacant light heavyweight championship belt. He has nine wins and two defeats on his record.