Magomed Ankalaev calls Pereira ‘Dessert’—Does he think Jon Jones is the main course?

In a recent interview, Magomed Ankalaev made waves with a playful and somewhat provocative comment about the two biggest names in the UFC: Jon Jones and Alex Pereira. When asked whether he would prefer to face Pereira or Jones in the Octagon, Ankalaev responded with a mix of humor and insight, calling Pereira “dessert” and stating that he would prefer to fight him. This seemingly casual remark has sparked plenty of discussion in the MMA world, raising the question: Does Ankalaev think Jon Jones is the real challenge, or is he simply underestimating the former middleweight champion?

Magomed Ankalaev’s Light-Hearted Response to UFC’s Biggest Names

When pressed on who he would rather face between Jon Jones and Alex Pereira, Magomed Ankalaev delivered an answer that caught the attention of fans and analysts alike. In his response, Ankalaev compared Pereira to a “dessert,” something light and enjoyable, but not necessarily the main course. “Desserts are always tasty,” Ankalaev quipped, “But Pereira is in my division, so I would choose him.” This light-hearted jab at Pereira left many wondering if Ankalaev was downplaying the Brazilian’s abilities or if there was a deeper reason behind his choice.

Does Ankalaev See Jon Jones as the Ultimate Test?

While Ankalaev’s comment about Pereira being “dessert” could be interpreted as playful banter, it’s clear that Jon Jones remains the UFC’s ultimate challenge. Jon Jones is considered by many to be one of the greatest fighters of all time, with an undefeated record in the UFC and a legacy of dominance that spans several weight divisions. For Ankalaev, calling Pereira the “dessert” could simply mean that he sees him as a more approachable and perhaps less daunting opponent than Jones.

Ankalaev has been on an impressive win streak in the light heavyweight division and is seen as a rising star in the UFC. However, taking on Jon Jones would be the biggest test of his career. The former light heavyweight champion is widely regarded as one of the most technically skilled fighters the sport has ever seen, and a fight between Jones and Ankalaev would be one for the history books. It’s likely that Ankalaev is acknowledging the gravity of such a fight by referring to Pereira as “dessert” and emphasizing that facing Jones would be the real challenge — the “main course” in the world of mixed martial arts.

Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira: The ‘Dessert’ of MMA?

While Ankalaev’s remark about Pereira being “dessert” may sound dismissive, it’s important to recognize the context. Pereira is a former middleweight champion and is now moving up to the light heavyweight division, where he could pose a serious threat to any fighter in the division, including Ankalaev. Pereira’s striking is one of the best in the sport, with his left hook knockout of Israel Adesanya still fresh in the minds of MMA fans.

Ankalaev’s choice of words might suggest that he believes he can handle Pereira’s striking game and that a fight with him would be more manageable than one with Jones. Pereira’s transition to light heavyweight could pose new challenges for him, especially against a fighter like Ankalaev, whose grappling and striking balance could give him an edge over Pereira’s stand-up game.

However, Ankalaev’s “dessert” comment shouldn’t be seen as a complete dismissal of Pereira’s abilities. It’s likely that Ankalaev respects Pereira as a formidable fighter but believes that taking on Jon Jones would require a different level of preparation and strategy.

Ankalaev’s Strategy for the Future: Jon Jones or Alex Pereira?

The MMA world is waiting to see who Ankalaev will face next. While his playful jab at Alex Pereira may have been entertaining, the light heavyweight division remains unpredictable. If Ankalaev’s path leads him to face Pereira in the future, it could be an exciting matchup, especially considering Pereira’s explosive knockout power and Ankalaev’s tactical approach to his fights.

However, if Ankalaev is aiming for greatness, a fight with Jon Jones is inevitable. Jones has long been considered the best in the world, and anyone who wants to be the best must eventually face him. For Ankalaev, fighting Jones would be the ultimate proving ground. As much as Ankalaev seems confident about his potential to face Pereira, it’s clear that Jon Jones is the real “main course” that would define his legacy in the UFC.