Ankalaev refuses Pereira’s UFC 313 bet

Magomed Ankalaev has refused Alex Pereira’s proposal of a US$200,000 bet on their UFC 313 light heavyweight title fight this Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Pereira issued the challenge to Ankalaev and his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, on Sunday via social media, suggesting the loser should donate $200,000 to a charity of the other’s choosing.

“Many people are in need of this help,” Pereira said.

“Since Ali and Ankalaev seem to be 100% confident that they’ll beat me, I think they will accept this challenge.”

Ankalaev tweeted his response on Monday, explaining that his religion does not allow him to engage in such wagers.

“As a Muslim, you know betting is forbidden in Islam, and also as a Muslim every year I have to give 2.5% of my wealth to charity,” he posted.

“Many kids around the world are in need and we can do things after the fight but we don’t have to publicize it.”

The Russian left the door open for a potential wager between the two fighters’ managers, however.

“Your manager and my manager have a good relationship and we can let them handle that, see you soon,” he said in a later tweet.

Earlier, Pereira explained his reasoning for the proposed bet, saying that he is not certain he will win and is happy to part with the money if he loses.

“I am a very grounded person conscious of everything I say,” he said. 

“In all my interviews with everyone I’ve fought I always go with the will to win, I want to win, but I don’t know if I will win. 

“Either way, with such thinking, I wanna bet $200,000. 

“It doesn’t matter, got to see with Ankalaev and his manager. If someone wants to sponsor him the $200,000 and put it in his name to make the bet, that’s no problem for me. 

“The $200,000 I’ll give comes from my pocket.

“If I’ll win, I do not know. I truly want to win.

“I can lose, but many people in need will win. Those with cancer, with certainty that will help them a lot. 

“So I leave here this challenge to Ankalaev and his manager Ali.”

Top UFC betting sites have Pereira v Ankalaev priced closely ahead of Saturday’s main event.

Leading bookmaker Nags.bet has the Brazilian as a slight favourite at -125, with Ankalaev paying +100.