Alex Pereira Fires Back at Critics Over Magomed Ankalaev’s Fasting Ahead of UFC 300

Alex Pereira Fires Back at Critics Over Magomed Ankalaev’s Fasting Ahead of UFC 300

UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has responded to critics ahead of his highly anticipated title defense against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 300, addressing the controversy surrounding Ankalaev’s Ramadan fasting.

With the fight set to take place on April 13, Ankalaev will be observing Ramadan, a holy month for Muslims that requires fasting from sunrise to sunset, meaning no food or water during daylight hours. This has sparked debates over whether the Dagestani fighter will be at a disadvantage when he steps into the Octagon against Pereira.

Some fans and analysts have suggested that **Ankalaev’s physical conditioning might suffer**, as he will not be able to **consume food or hydrate** as much as usual in the weeks leading up to the fight. However, Pereira has dismissed these claims, accusing critics of pushing a false narrative to downplay his potential victory.

Pereira Responds: “No Excuses When I Win”

Pereira, known for his composed and no-nonsense approach, addressed the situation directly in a recent interview.

“They are already making excuses before the fight even happens. I see people saying Magomed will be fasting, and that’s why I will beat him. But let’s be honest—he chose to fight during Ramadan. No one forced him. If he steps into the cage, he’s ready. No excuses.”

The former kickboxing world champion also pointed out that Ankalaev and other Muslim fighters have competed during Ramadan before without issues.

“This is the fight game. Fighters deal with different challenges all the time. If he’s disciplined, he’ll know how to prepare properly. I respect his beliefs, but I don’t want to hear about fasting after I beat him.”

Ankalaev’s Camp Stays Confident

Despite concerns, Ankalaev’s team has remained confident in his ability to compete at full strength. His coach recently stated that Magomed has trained through Ramadan before and that fasting will not affect his performance*.

“Magomed is a professional. He knows his body, and he has fought during Ramadan before. He is disciplined and will be ready to shock the world.”

The Mental Battle Begins

This latest exchange has **added even more fuel to an already intense showdown**. Pereira, known for his **brutal knockout power**, is eager to prove his dominance at 205 lbs, while Ankalaev, an elite grappler with **elite striking defense**, believes he has the perfect skill set to dethrone the Brazilian champion.

With title implications, fasting debates, and personal pride all on the line**, UFC 300 just got even more heated.

Will Ramadan be a factor, or is Pereira right in calling it an excuse? One thing is certain—the Octagon will reveal the truth.