Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev don’t speak each other’s languages but there were no words needed when the UFC 313 main event fighters faced off on Thursday following the pre-fight press conference.
The two hulking 205-pounders engaged in a tense staredown after answering questions on stage ahead of their showdown on Saturday.
While the tension between Pereira and Ankalaev had mostly been based around the upcoming competition, the fighters ratcheted up a little bit of bad blood in the days leading up to UFC 313.
For Ankalaev, he brought up Pereira’s recent travel schedule where he’s been jet-setting halfway around the world to corner Sean Strickland for a fight in Australia just weeks before his own title defense and also making note about the Brazilian’s enjoyment for his night life.
In response, Pereira mentioned Ankalaev fighting during Ramadan, which required him to break the traditional fast he observes as a Muslim so he could drink water while preparing for his weight cut on Friday.
All the talking ends on Saturday when Pereira looks for the fourth consecutive defense of his light heavyweight title while Ankalaev attempts to become UFC champion for the first time.
