When Kamaru Usman speaks, the MMA world listens. The former UFC welterweight champion, known for his iron will and elite fight IQ, has recently thrown a massive spotlight on one of the most intense rivalries in modern light heavyweight history — Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev. In his latest comments, Usman didn’t hold back, calling for a third and final showdown between the two warriors to “end all excuses” once and for all. His statement — “Both were broken!” — has sent fans and analysts into a frenzy, questioning the true legacy of both fighters and whether a trilogy could truly determine the undisputed best at 205 pounds.

Kamaru Usman’s Candid Take on the Rivalry

Few fighters understand the pressures of championship contention like Kamaru Usman. Having defended his title multiple times in the most competitive division in the sport, his perspective carries weight. In a recent podcast appearance, Usman delved deep into the ongoing debate surrounding Pereira vs. Ankalaev, expressing frustration at how their back-to-back fights have left more questions than answers.

According to Usman, both competitors have been operating at less than 100%. “When you look at that fight,” he explained, “both were broken — mentally and physically. That’s not the way to settle a rivalry. If you’re going to find out who the best man is, they need to meet again under the right conditions.” His tone was firm, reflecting not only his respect for both athletes but also his desire to see closure in one of the UFC’s most debated matchups.

For Usman, who has always valued fair competition, this call isn’t about hype or business. It’s about truth — the kind of truth that defines greatness in the sport. He believes that only through a third fight, fought on even terms, can the MMA community finally put to rest the controversy surrounding these two elite light heavyweights.

A Rivalry Born from Chaos

The first clash between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev already felt like destiny. Pereira, the two-division glory kickboxing legend turned UFC champion, had stormed through the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions with terrifying power. Ankalaev, on the other hand, was the complete technician — a Russian powerhouse with elite grappling and an iron chin. When they met, fans knew it would be explosive.

The first bout ended in chaos, as a controversial doctor’s stoppage left the audience divided. Pereira’s leg had been compromised early, while Ankalaev suffered a broken nose and deep cuts. The post-fight narrative was split: half believed Ankalaev would have won if the fight had continued, while others argued Pereira’s striking brilliance was simply too much to handle.

The rematch only deepened the drama. Both fighters entered with visible determination, yet the outcome once again left a bitter aftertaste. Pereira edged out a razor-close decision, but Ankalaev’s camp cried foul, arguing that injuries and poor judging clouded the result. By the time the dust settled, one truth was clear — this rivalry needed a conclusion worthy of its magnitude.

“Both Were Broken” — Usman’s Powerful Observation

Kamaru Usman’s comment that “both were broken” wasn’t just metaphorical. His assessment cut to the core of fighter psychology. He pointed out that while both men showed immense courage, neither entered the octagon in peak condition. Pereira’s weight cuts and accumulated damage had started to affect his explosiveness. Ankalaev, meanwhile, was carrying lingering injuries from his training camp, limiting his grappling output.

Usman emphasized that true championship fights require both combatants to be physically and mentally sharp. “When you’re fighting with injuries, you’re just surviving,” he said. “You’re not showing the world what you’re truly capable of.” To him, the first two encounters were chapters of survival — not dominance — and therefore, could not represent the definitive end to the story.

Fans resonated deeply with this view. Social media exploded with discussions about how both fighters had given fragments of their prime to the rivalry but never truly faced each other at their best. Usman’s words reignited the public’s appetite for one more war, one that could finally crown a clear, undisputed king of the light heavyweight division.

Pereira’s Unmatched Power vs. Ankalaev’s Relentless Precision

Part of what makes the Pereira vs. Ankalaev rivalry so fascinating is their contrasting styles. Pereira is a striking savant — his left hook has ended more careers than some fighters have wins. His poise, timing, and cold demeanor inside the cage make him one of the most intimidating figures in combat sports. Ankalaev, conversely, represents the essence of calculated violence — precise, disciplined, and relentless in pressure.

Usman has often praised both men for bringing different dimensions to the light heavyweight division. “Pereira’s power is something special,” he once noted. “But Ankalaev’s composure and grappling are on another level. These are two elite fighters who push each other to limits nobody else can.”

He argued that their trilogy could redefine the balance of striking and wrestling in modern MMA. A fully healthy Pereira vs. Ankalaev III, he claimed, could rival legendary rivalries like Cormier vs. Jones or Gustafsson vs. Johnson, both in intensity and historical significance.

The Mental Warfare Behind the Scenes

Beyond physicality, Usman highlighted the mental warfare at play. Both Pereira and Ankalaev have carried the weight of expectation, national pride, and constant scrutiny from fans. Usman, who has faced similar pressure, described how mental fatigue can alter even the best fighter’s instincts. “Sometimes, it’s not about who’s more skilled,” he said. “It’s about who can carry that pressure without breaking.”

Pereira’s stoic persona masks years of fighting demons — from his rapid rise to fame to the mental toll of defending multiple titles. Ankalaev’s quiet intensity conceals the frustration of repeated setbacks and controversial outcomes. Usman believes that their third meeting would not just be a test of strength, but a battle of endurance — psychological, emotional, and spiritual.

UFC’s Dilemma: Timing and Opportunity

For the UFC, organizing a trilogy between Pereira and Ankalaev presents both a golden opportunity and a logistical challenge. Both fighters are major draws, and their rivalry guarantees massive pay-per-view numbers. However, with new contenders like Jamahal Hill and Jan Błachowicz pushing for title shots, timing is everything.

Usman suggested that the UFC should prioritize legacy over short-term profit. “You don’t often get rivalries like this,” he explained. “If the promotion wants to cement the light heavyweight division as one of the most exciting in the sport, they have to give us this trilogy.” His comments have been echoed by fans and pundits who view the third fight as an essential chapter in MMA storytelling.

Dana White has remained characteristically silent on the matter, but insiders claim discussions are ongoing. The demand is undeniable — the question now is not if it will happen, but when.

The Legacy Factor

Usman’s insistence on this third fight ties deeply into the theme of legacy — a word that defines champions long after their careers end. Both Pereira and Ankalaev stand at crossroads. For Pereira, a victory would solidify his legend as one of the most dominant multi-division champions in history. For Ankalaev, redemption through victory would finally validate years of perseverance and technical mastery.

Usman, reflecting on his own journey, described legacy as “what remains when everything else fades — the respect, the story, the truth.” He argued that a trilogy fought under the right circumstances could give fans that truth. “We need to know,” he insisted, “who breaks last when both men are whole.”

Fan Reaction and Cultural Impact

The moment Usman’s quote hit social media, the MMA community exploded. Fans from around the world flooded comment sections, demanding Pereira vs. Ankalaev III. Memes, debates, and speculative predictions flooded timelines. Analysts praised Usman for voicing what many had felt — that the rivalry deserved closure.

Even fighters joined the conversation. Several UFC veterans applauded Usman for his integrity and honesty. “Only someone who’s been there can speak like that,” one commentator wrote. “Usman understands what it means to want fairness and finality in the sport.” The cultural impact of his statement has elevated the trilogy from mere speculation to a near inevitability.

Why This Trilogy Could Redefine Modern MMA

A third fight between Pereira and Ankalaev would not only resolve personal rivalries but also mark a defining moment for modern MMA philosophy. It represents everything the sport stands for — resilience, adaptation, and evolution. Both men have already endured physical suffering and emotional highs and lows. Usman’s challenge for them to meet again is, in essence, a challenge to the sport itself: to embrace closure, not controversy.

In today’s era of hype-driven matchups, Usman’s grounded approach reminds fans of the sport’s roots — honor, determination, and respect. If the trilogy does happen, it could become one of the most significant bouts in UFC history, bridging the past’s grit with the present’s spectacle.