Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira have long been at loggerheads, with both fighters taking jibes at one another on social media and in person.
Dagestan’s Ankalaev has now seemingly taken another jab at his Brazilian rival, channeling his inner Nick Diaz for the same. This comes at a time when many believe that Ankalaev is likely to face “Poatan” in a rematch next.
Magomed Ankalaev Channels Inner Nick Diaz To Dare Alex Pereira To Show Up in Abu Dhabi
MMA legend and UFC icon Nick Diaz was engaged in a notable rivalry against K.J. Noons many years ago, going 1-1 in their two-fight series. Noons won their first fight via. TKO due to cuts in the EliteXC MMA organization in 2007, whereas Diaz won the rematch via. unanimous decision under the Strikeforce banner in 2010.
After their first fight, Noons knocked out Yves Edwards at an EliteXC event in 2008. Diaz was later brought into the ring to promote a potential rematch against Noons, and that’s when the Stockton native mouthed a catchphrase that later became iconic. Diaz jibed at his rival and stated, “Don’t be scared, homie.” Diaz and Noons subsequently got into a brawl inside the cage, as did their entourages.
Reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Magomed Ankalaev has now apparently channeled his inner Nick Diaz. Utilizing the older Diaz brother’s legendary catchphrase, Ankalaev took aim at former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira.
The Dagestani combatant alluded to the upcoming UFC Fight Night card in Abu Dhabi, headlined by a middleweight bout between Robert Whittaker and Reinier de Ridder, which goes down on July 26, 2025. Daring Pereira to show up there, Ankalaev jestingly referenced the Brazilian’s “Chama” chant and tweeted, “I hope CHAMA will show up in Abu Dhabi, don’t be scared homie.”
I hope CHAMA will show up in Abu Dhabi, don’t be scared homie
— Muhammad big ANK Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM)
Ankalaev’s most recent fight witnessed him defeat Pereira via. unanimous decision in the headlining match of UFC 313 back in March 2025. Neither fighter has competed since. Meanwhile, in the grudge match’s aftermath, UFC CEO Dana White had indicated that the two 205-pounders could clash in an immediate title rematch.
Back to May 2025, it’s noteworthy that Ankalaev recently tweeted that the UFC was interested in booking a rematch between him and Pereira for UFC 317 that takes place on June 28, 2025. The light heavyweight kingpin highlighted, however, that Pereira turned down the opportunity.
Veteran MMA journalist Ariel Helwani later reported that the rematch was indeed proposed for the International Fight Week event, UFC 317, but the timeline didn’t work out for Pereira. The consensus is that the original planned timeline for the rematch was August, but the UFC asked “Poatan” if he could fight in June because they wanted a high-profile headliner for the International Fight Week card.
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