Alex Pereira regrets not humiliating Magomed Ankalaev with Nate Diaz-like technique at UFC 320

Exacting revenge on Magomed Ankalaev in their UFC 320 grudge match, Alex Pereira has claimed he has one regret over a missed opportunity before his knockout win.

Avenging a prior decision loss to the Russian earlier this year, Alex Pereira recaptured the undisputed light heavyweight crown with a hellacious 80-second knockout win.

Dealing with a severe injury setback ahead of the rematch, Magomed Ankalaev was unable to get out of the gates against the Sao Paulo star, who swarmed the Russian with a hammering finish.

However, before the end of the bout, Pereira claims he regrets missing out on the chance of using a controversial technique to further humiliate the defending champion.

Alex Pereira planned to slap Magomed Ankalaev before UFC 320 stoppage

Returning to his native Brazil this week to catch compatriot Charles Oliveira’s headliner against Mateusz Gamrot at UFC Rio, Pereira also returned to a familiar setting, which was once mocked by Ankalaev.

And reflecting on his resounding knockout win, Pereira claimed he was none the wiser regarding Ankalaev’s injury claims, but believed the stoppage came a tad too early, which left him unable to utilize a ‘Sao Paulo Slap’ in reference to the legendary Nate Diaz.

“I landed a clean punch before the elbows, and he (Magomed Ankalaev) grabbing my legs,” Pereira told assembled media, including MMA Fighting, during a Q&A event at UFC Rio. “There was an opening and my elbow landed clean.