Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker believes the upcoming light heavyweight showdown between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev could end very early, with “The Reaper” predicting a potential knockout loss for Pereira if he doesn’t quickly use his wrestling to neutralize Ankalaev.
Whittaker, who has himself been near the top of the division for years, thinks Pereira’s aggressive striking style poses significant risks, particularly against Ankalaev’s formidable grappling skills. If Ankalaev doesn’t drop level with Pereira within the first few minutes of the fight, Whittaker fears he could be in trouble and get finished quickly.
On a related note, Whittaker recently expressed interest in facing Sean Strickland at his comeback event, citing their shared experience in the top middleweight division as a compelling reason for a matchup. He plans to return in June, giving him ample time to prepare for a potential title rematch or a new challenger like Strickland.
Source: https://bloodyelbow.com/2025/03/03/robert-whittaker-sends-magomed-ankalaev-first-round-warning-ahead-of-alex-pereira-showdown-at-ufc-313