Former UFC champion Cormier: “Ankalaev received injections before the fight against Pereira”

Former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier confirmed previously reported information that Russian Magomed Ankalaev was injured while preparing for his championship fight against Alex Pereira.

On Saturday, Ankalaev lost to Brazilian Pereira by technical knockout in the first round of a fight in which the light heavyweight championship belt was at stake. This was Ankalaev’s first defense and at the same time a rematch with Pereira. The first fight between the fighters took place in March, when the Russian defeated the Brazilian and won the UFC champion title.

— Before the fight, I saw a video where Ankalaev was given injections in the ribs. This is not a lie about injury. This is not an excuse. “Basically, he was able to hit the pads in training and do cardio for a month and a half before the fight,” Cormier was quoted as saying by Championship Rounds on social media.

Ankalaev is 33 years old, during his MMA career he won 21 victories, suffered two defeats and finished one fight in a draw.

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