Featured Image Credit: X/@arielhelwani
Topics: Ariel Helwani, UFC, MMA
Marcus Chan
Respected MMA journalist Ariel Helwani's reaction to Alex Pereira's shock defeat at UFC 313 has gone viral.
On Saturday night, UFC 313 took place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, with Pereira as the headline act as he faced Magomed Ankalaev.
Many expected Pereira to come out on top in the light-heavyweight bout but it was the Russian who managed to cause an upset.
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The 32-year-old was announced as the winner after the judges scored the fight 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46 in his favour.
Reacting to the result, Helwani claimed the UFC are now facing a 'nightmare situation'.
He wrote on social media: "Make no mistake about it, this is a nightmare situation for the UFC. This furthers their star issue. Props to Ankalaev, but Alex Pereira is, arguably, the most popular active fighter in the UFC."
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Explaning his thoughts in an accompanying video, Helwani said: "Make no mistake about it, this is a nightmare scenario for the UFC and I say that only because Alex Pereira is arguably most popular active fighter in the UFC right now, I stress, active, cause Conor McGregor, as long as he is still living and breathing, he is under contract and will always be the most popular.
"And, he (Pereira) just lost this title in a very close fight to someone who is nowhere near as popular as him, not even in the same stratosphere." You can watch the full video below.
Speaking after his victory, Ankalaev said: "I can't put it into words, it's been such a long wait to reach my dream - the title is on my waist.
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"I don't think anything surprised me. I think I could have done a better job in the fight but I'm happy I won. I want to thank my team, Russia, Dagestan, everybody - we have another belt now."
Meanwhile, Pereira said: "I knew it would be a war. He put some pressure on in the second round, but putting me up against the cage, he didn't really do anything.
"I'm going to keep training. I feel good, I'll have a few days off and then get back in training. This is my life."