As the highly anticipated showdown between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev looms on the horizon, one of the biggest questions on everyone’s mind is: Can Alex Pereira stop Ankalaev’s takedowns? Both fighters bring unique skills to the table, but it’s Ankalaev’s wrestling and ground control that could pose a significant challenge for Pereira, who is known for his striking prowess and knockout power. In this breakdown, we’ll explore how Pereira might approach the takedown defense against Ankalaev, as well as how this dynamic could shape the outcome of their fight.

Alex Pereira: A Striker’s Dream, but How’s His Takedown Defense?

Alex Pereira, the former middleweight champion and one of the most feared strikers in MMA, has established a reputation as a devastating knockout artist. Known for his dynamic striking and power, Pereira has the ability to end fights with a single punch—particularly with his left hook or brutal kicks. However, while his striking skills are elite, his grappling and takedown defense have been areas of concern in his MMA career.

Pereira has shown solid takedown defense in some of his past bouts, but his ability to fend off high-level wrestlers has yet to be fully tested in the UFC. While he was able to defend against some takedowns in his fight against Israel Adesanya, the competition and pressure presented by Ankalaev will be on another level.

Ankalaev is a seasoned wrestler with great clinch control and a knack for taking opponents down to the mat. His ground game, combined with his striking ability, makes him one of the most well-rounded fighters in the light heavyweight division. While Pereira has made improvements in his defensive wrestling, the question remains: Can he keep the fight standing and avoid being dragged to the mat?

Magomed Ankalaev: The Grappler’s Threat

Magomed Ankalaev is a fighter who thrives on versatility. He has excellent striking—capable of mixing up his punches and kicks—but it’s his grappling that sets him apart from many of the other elite fighters in the division. Ankalaev has a strong wrestling base, with the ability to chain takedowns together, transition to dominant positions, and control opponents on the ground. His clinch game is also very solid, using trips, throws, and the cage to his advantage to take opponents down.

Ankalaev’s ability to implement a pressure-heavy grappling game is what makes him dangerous for someone like Pereira, who prefers to keep the fight standing. If Ankalaev can close the distance and get Pereira to the mat, he could nullify Pereira’s striking, control the pace, and win rounds through superior top control and ground and pound.

In his previous fight against Jan Błachowicz, Ankalaev showcased his wrestling skills by securing takedowns and controlling the action on the ground. While Pereira has a great takedown defense, Ankalaev’s ability to mix in his striking with his grappling could make it difficult for Pereira to predict his game plan and adjust accordingly.

Pereira’s Path to Victory: Avoid the Takedown and Stay on the Feet

For Pereira, the key to victory is maintaining distance and using his striking to keep Ankalaev at bay. He’s shown that his ability to land powerful shots is second to none, and if he can keep the fight standing, he’s more than capable of finishing Ankalaev with his precise and powerful strikes.

However, stopping Ankalaev’s takedowns will require Pereira to be extremely disciplined in his defense. He’ll need to use his footwork and agility to stay out of range and avoid being pressed against the cage. Keeping his back off the fence will be critical, as Ankalaev thrives in the clinch, where he can land his takedowns with more ease.

Pereira will also need to stay active with his jabs, low kicks, and combinations to frustrate Ankalaev and prevent him from closing the distance. If Pereira can make Ankalaev hesitant to engage in the striking exchanges, it will force the Russian to take more risks with his takedown attempts, potentially opening up opportunities for Pereira to counter and hurt him.

Ankalaev’s Path to Victory: Grind with Takedowns and Control

For Ankalaev, the game plan is straightforward: use his wrestling and clinch game to wear Pereira down. If he can land consistent takedowns, control the action on the ground, and avoid getting hit by Pereira’s powerful strikes, Ankalaev could dominate the fight over the course of three or five rounds.

Ankalaev will look to press forward, cut off the cage, and work his way into the clinch to minimize Pereira’s movement. Once he gets Pereira to the mat, he’ll look to maintain control, land ground and pound, and possibly search for a submission if the opportunity arises. Ankalaev’s ability to chain takedowns and mix up his attack could be the key to neutralizing Pereira’s striking and securing a victory.

Will Pereira Stop the Takedowns?

While Pereira has worked on his takedown defense, Ankalaev’s wrestling is a different challenge. The combination of Ankalaev’s pressure, timing, and clinch game could be difficult for Pereira to handle, especially if he’s unable to find his range and avoid the takedown attempts. Pereira’s best chance is to keep the fight standing, where his knockout power could prove to be the difference. However, if Ankalaev can close the distance and put Pereira on his back, he’ll likely control the fight.

Conclusion: A Battle of Styles

The clash between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev is a fascinating matchup of styles. Pereira’s elite striking versus Ankalaev’s well-rounded grappling and control make for an intriguing fight, and the ability of Pereira to stop Ankalaev’s takedowns will be a determining factor in the outcome. If Pereira can keep the fight on the feet, he has the tools to finish Ankalaev, but if Ankalaev is able to land takedowns and control the action, it could be a long night for the Brazilian striker.

Ultimately, the key question remains: Can Alex Pereira stop Ankalaev’s takedowns? The answer to that will likely determine whether he can stay undefeated in the UFC’s light heavyweight division or whether Ankalaev’s wrestling will prove to be too much.