**Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev** would be a truly dangerous striking battle in the UFC light heavyweight division. Both fighters possess elite striking skills but bring very different styles to the table, making this matchup an intriguing and dangerous clash. Here's a breakdown of why this potential fight would be so compelling:

### **Alex Pereira**:

- **Background**: Pereira is a former GLORY kickboxing champion who made a huge impact in the UFC’s middleweight division, eventually becoming the UFC middleweight champion before moving up to light heavyweight. Known for his **devastating knockout power**, Pereira’s precision and technique in striking are on a completely different level due to his world-class kickboxing background.

- **Strengths**: Pereira's main strength is his **striking power and technique**, particularly his lethal left hook, which has knocked out elite fighters. He also has incredible leg kicks, and his ability to control range and distance is unmatched. His striking is precise, methodical, and highly dangerous, making him a knockout threat in every exchange.

- **Key to Victory**: Pereira’s path to victory would rely on his striking, keeping the fight at a distance where he can unleash his powerful kicks and punches. If he can avoid Ankalaev’s grappling, Pereira’s knockout power could turn the fight in his favor at any moment.

### **Magomed Ankalaev**:

- **Background**: Ankalaev is a well-rounded fighter from Dagestan with a strong striking background in addition to his grappling. He’s known for his **calm, methodical approach**, combining his dangerous striking with top-tier wrestling. Ankalaev has shown excellent fight IQ, adjusting to his opponent’s strengths while minimizing his own risks.

- **Strengths**: Ankalaev’s striking is precise and calculated. He has good kickboxing, and his power is underrated. He also mixes in head kicks and leg kicks effectively. What makes him more dangerous is his ability to switch to wrestling when needed, giving him a significant advantage in versatility.

- **Key to Victory**: Ankalaev would need to mix up his striking and grappling to keep Pereira off-balance. If he can use his wrestling to neutralize Pereira’s striking, he would have a better chance of controlling the fight. He’ll also need to use his kicks and range to disrupt Pereira’s timing.

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### **Fight Breakdown**:

#### **Striking**:

- **Pereira** holds a significant advantage in terms of pure striking technique, especially with his kickboxing background. He has the knockout power and ability to end the fight with a single blow.

- **Ankalaev**, while not as polished a striker as Pereira, is still very dangerous. His striking is more versatile, using both his hands and kicks to create openings. His striking style is more about patience and wearing opponents down, rather than one-punch knockouts.

#### **Grappling**:

- This is where **Ankalaev** holds the edge. While both are primarily strikers, Ankalaev has the wrestling background to take Pereira down if needed. Pereira has improved his grappling defense over time, but Ankalaev’s ability to change levels and mix in wrestling could be a key factor in his game plan.

#### **Power**:

- Both fighters possess knockout power, but **Pereira** is more of a knockout artist with incredible precision and timing. **Ankalaev**, while also powerful, relies more on setting up his strikes over time rather than relying on one-shot finishes.

#### **Game Plan**:

- **Pereira** will want to keep the fight standing, using his height and reach advantage to control Ankalaev from a distance and look for openings to land his left hook or powerful kicks.

- **Ankalaev** needs to mix in his striking and wrestling, keeping Pereira guessing and not allowing him to settle into his striking rhythm. Ankalaev may use his wrestling to tire Pereira out or force him into defensive positions, limiting his striking output.

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### **The Dangerous Striking Battle**:

This matchup would be a technical and powerful striking battle, with the ever-present danger of a knockout. **Pereira’s superior kickboxing** gives him an edge on the feet, but **Ankalaev’s well-rounded skill set** means he could mix things up and disrupt Pereira’s striking game with takedowns or clinch work. It’s a classic striker vs. striker, but with Ankalaev’s grappling background as an x-factor.

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### **Outcome**:

- **Alex Pereira’s path to victory** would come through a knockout. He has the ability to finish anyone in the division with his precision and devastating power. If he can keep the fight standing and avoid Ankalaev’s takedowns, a knockout could be inevitable.

- **Magomed Ankalaev’s path to victory** would be through a well-rounded approach, mixing up striking and grappling. If Ankalaev can make Pereira wary of the takedown, he might create openings to outpoint or even finish Pereira on the feet. Additionally, if he takes Pereira down, he could control the fight and win by decision.

This fight would be a **dangerous striking affair**, with both fighters possessing the ability to end the night early. It’s a high-stakes matchup that would test both Pereira’s striking mastery and Ankalaev’s versatility.