Alex Pereira is proud of where he’s come from.
Days after a revenge knockout of Magomed Ankalaev to reclaim the light heavyweight title at UFC 320, “Poatan” returned to the tire shop in Brazil he once worked at before becoming a combat sports superstar. The gesture was not only a nod to his roots, but a response to Ankalaev repeatedly stating he would end Pereira’s career.
Watch Pereira’s visit below.
In the lead-up to their first fight at UFC 313 this past March, Ankalaev tweeted, “You just sign your death certificate. I’m gonna punish you for ducking me and I’m gonna make you look like a guy work in a tire shop, not professional fighter.”
Ankalaev repeated the taunt at post-fight press conference, saying after he defeated Pereira, “Whether or not he stays in the sport or decides to go back to the tire shop, that’s going to be up to him. He’s going to be the one that has to make that decision.”
Their UFC 313 encounter ended with Ankalaev winning a unanimous decision and stopping Pereira’s streak at three consecutive title defenses. A rematch was later booked, with Ankalaev again suggesting he would retire Pereira, but it was Pereira who emerged victorious this past Saturday at UFC 320 via knockout in just 80 seconds.
“As promised, I said after the fight I was going to come back to the tire shop,” Pereira said in his video. “Ankalaev was right. We are here today giving presence as always every time I come to Brazil I come to the tire shop. This is it right here, everyone.
“Here, this is a place that has a very beautiful story. Chama.”
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