Magomed Ankalaev beats Rakic ​​​​and challenges Alex Pereira

ABU DHABI – Alex Pereira could have his next title challenger.

At UFC 308, Magomed Ankalaev added another win to a resume many already considered title-worthy when he defeated Aleksandar Rakic ​​​​by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). The light heavyweight bout took place on the main card at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

As he pointed out leading up to the fight, Ankalaev (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) didn't feel like he needed a finish to secure a title shot. In Saturday's fight he used all 15 minutes to achieve victory.

It was a classic performance from Ankaraev, full of technical punches, kicks and clinch work. The gap between him and Rakic ​​(14-5 MMA, 6-4 UFC) wasn't large, but it was obvious and consistent.

After the fight, Ankalaev pointed out Rakic ​​for not showing any action in the fight and expressed his opinion that Rakic ​​was the one who evaded the exchange.

“I think I did everything to secure the title,” Anakalaev said. “I would like to talk to Alex. I would like to tell him to stop running from me. We should fight. That’s what everyone wants to see.”

Ankalaev has not lost in 13 fights since his UFC debut in March 2018. Many fans and media members predicted that Ankalaev would be Pereira's latest title challenger, but the promotion chose Khalil Rountree instead.

At the start of the fight, Ankalaev said the UFC had told him that the win would come with a title shot, although UFC CEO Dana White has not yet confirmed this publicly.

In defeat, Rakic ​​​​spins. He went into the fight without TKO defeats against Jan Blachowicz and Jiri Prochazka.

Current UFC 308 results include:

• Magomed Ankalaev defeated. Aleksandar Rakic ​​​​by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Lerone Murphy defeated. Dan Ige by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Shara Magomedov defeated. Armen Petrosyan via TKO (Spinning Backfist) – Round 2, 4:52
• Ibo Aslan defeated. Rafael Cerqueira via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:51
• Geoff Neal defeated. Rafael dos Anjos via TKO (injury) – Round 1, 1:30
• Mateusz Rebecki defeated. Myktybek Orolbai by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Abus Magomedov defeated. Brunno Ferreira via submission (arm triangle choke) – Round 3, 3:14
• Kennedy Nzechukwu defeated. Chris Barnett via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:27
• Farid Basharat defeated. Victor Hugo by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
• Ismail Naurdiev defeated. Bruno Silva by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Rinat Fakhretdinov defeated. Carlos Leal by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

For more information on the card, check out MMA Junkie's UFC 308 event hub.