UFC 320: Magomed Ankalaev full media day interview
UFC 320 headliner Magomed Ankalaev spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters at media day for his light heavyweight title defense vs. Alex Pereira.
LAS VEGAS – There’s an interesting race to see who gets the next title shot in the UFC’s light heavyweight division, but it appears that the champion has an idea of who he wants.
This Saturday, Magomed Ankalaev defends his UFC title in an immediate rematch against former champ Alex Pereira. Should Ankalaev (21-1-1 MMA, 12-1-1 UFC) get a second win over Pereira (12-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) at UFC 320, there’s a specific name that draws his attention for what would be his second title defense.
That man is New Zealand’s Carlos Ulberg, who knocked out former title challenger Dominick Reyes in the main event of last week’s UFC Fight Night event in Perth, Australia. Ankalaev was impressed with what he saw from Ulberg, and likes the fact that he’s a new title challenger.
“When it comes down to Carlos Ulberg, obviously, he’s a very interesting guy,” Ankalaev told reporters through an interpreter at Wednesday’s media day. “He’s on a winning streak. I saw the victory, I saw the highlight of the win. He hasn’t been in the place where these guys have been. These guys have been knocked down by the former champ. (Ulberg) is a new guy, he hasn’t tested these waters that they’re in right now, so I think that’s definitely someone I’m interested in.”
UFC 320 takes place at T-Mobile Arena. Apart from the UFC light heavyweight title rematch, the card also features a very important divisional bout between former champion Jiri Prochazka and recent title challenger Khalil Roundtree Jr.
Many see the winner of Prochazka-Rountree as a good candidate as well for the next title shot, some even see the winner even more interesting than Ulberg. However, the champ disagrees with that train of thought.
“The fight that’s going to happen on the same card I’m fighting because, especially because it’s on the main card, this is not something I’m going to pay attention to, at all,” Ankalaev said. “I won’t even have time to look at it, so I’m not really interested in this fight whatsoever.”
