At UFC 313, Magomed Ankalaev clinched the UFC light heavyweight title by defeating Alex Pereira via unanimous decision. The bout saw Ankalaev effectively neutralizing Pereira’s striking prowess, leading to a dominant performance.
In a surprising twist, Pereira’s ex-fiancée, Merle Christine, publicly celebrated his defeat. Christine, a German television presenter, shared a video on social media expressing her satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “We have a new light heavyweight champion. No more Chama. Karma.” She further emphasized that Ankalaev deserved credit for his performance, dismissing any notions of a robbery in the decision.
The backstory adds layers to this public reaction. Pereira and Christine were together for two years before their relationship ended in December 2023. The breakup occurred after Pereira discovered that Christine was already married. In response to her recent comments, Pereira remarked, “I think she should stop mentioning my name cause her husband might get jealous, Chama.”
In the aftermath of UFC 313, discussions about a potential rematch between Pereira and Ankalaev have emerged. UFC President Dana White indicated that a sequel is likely, with both fighters expressing willingness to face each other again. Ankalaev, however, criticized Pereira’s performance, accusing him of avoiding engagement during the fight.
