Dana White’s UFC 313 Gamble Is Pereira’s Grappling a Masterstroke or a Total Bluff

The anticipation for UFC 313 has been as intense as a backyard bonfire, with the trash talk reaching ‘chef’s kiss’ levels of pettiness. From mocking drinking habits to exaggerated facial expressions at events, the war of words has been relentless.

Magomed Ankalaev, finally securing his shot at the light heavyweight king, isn’t holding back. “You just signed your death certificate. I’m going to punish you for ducking me,” he declared. For someone like Alex Pereira, a wrecking ball in the division, those words could sting.

Or do they?

Alex Pereira’s Cryptic Response: A Mind Game or a Reality Check?

Instead of engaging in verbal warfare, Pereira let his actions do the talking. Enter his latest Instagram post, which sent MMA Reddit into a frenzy. In a dramatic, slow-motion training video, the Brazilian was seen grappling with former Cuban Olympic wrestler Geovanis Palacios at Fighting Nerds Gym.

The scene had it all—cinematic music, moody lighting, and a cryptic caption:

“Chama, March 8th in Vegas” 

Was this a sneak peek at Pereira leveling up his grappling game—his long-perceived Achilles’ heel? Or was this just a strategic misdirection designed to make Ankalaev second-guess his approach?

After all, this is the same Pereira who bulldozed Jamahal Hill, Jiří Procházka, and Khalil Rountree Jr. in 2024, solidifying his place as the light heavyweight king.

Ankalaev’s Road to Redemption

On the other side of the octagon, Magomed Ankalaev has clawed his way back into title contention. His dominant win over Aleksandar Rakić at UFC 308 erased the sting of his controversial draw with Jan Blachowicz.

For a fighter hungry for redemption, Pereira’s grappling showcase might not be the ‘good news’ fans expected. And sure enough, when Pereira dropped his video, fans had wildly mixed reactions.

Fans React: Skepticism, Sarcasm, and Hilarity

For someone whose career is built on knockouts, a sudden emphasis on grappling raised eyebrows. Some fans took it seriously. Others? Not so much.

“Slow-mo + epic music = Ankalaev’s funeral, I guess.”

“Dammit, Alex, I better see you turn into Alex Poatan Karelin come the main event. I better see wrestling that makes Khabib and Islam cry tears of joy, and Charles, Justin, and Dustin have Vietnam flashbacks. WAR POTAN.”

While some laughed off Pereira’s grappling teaser, others questioned whether Ankalaev even had a superior wrestling edge.

“Do people still think Ankalaev is a grappler? He’s a striker.”

“People see the last name, Caucasus origin, and assume he’s Islam or Chimaev, but Ankalaev’s wrestling is just decent—it’s not his main weapon.”

Meanwhile, some fans worried Pereira lacked the right sparring partners to prepare for Dagestani-style pressure wrestling.

“I wish he had some people around who could replicate the Dagestani style of wrestling or some high-pressure clinching against the fence.”

Bluff or Strategy? The Ultimate Question

But here’s the catch—Pereira doesn’t need to out-grapple Ankalaev.

He just needs to plant the seed of doubt, forcing Ankalaev to hesitate for a split second. That’s all it takes for Pereira’s legendary left hook to connect—and when it does, it’s lights out.

But Ankalaev isn’t easily rattled. The Dagestani fighter thrives on mind games, keeping his opponents second-guessing. If Pereira’s grappling showcase is nothing more than a bluff, the Brazilian champion might be walking into a trap.

Final Verdict: Bluff or Breakthrough?

So, what do you think?

Is Alex Pereira genuinely evolving his game, or is he just selling the ultimate bluff?

Will Ankalaev expose him under the bright lights of UFC 313, or will ‘Poatan’ silence the doubters once again?