With “Poatan's” star power increasing significantly, the promotion appears to be giving him more favorable matchups to protect his status as champion.

Magomed Ankalaev claims Dana White gave him an ultimatum for his UFC 308 fight

The Russian has become much more vocal over the last year as he resents not being given another title opportunity given his 12-fight unbeaten streak.

Ankalaev has also claimed that UFC CEO Dana White told him that his performance next Saturday would have to be exciting to secure a shot at the title, as a win alone won't get him a fight against Pereira.

“We decided that we need to be a lot louder than before because I've been waiting for a title shot for two years. Now we thought that if people make any comment about me, we have to come back,” Ankalaev said at UFC 308 media day.

“It's up to the UFC (whether I fight for the title), I've pretty much been told that with this win I'll be the next one to fight for the title, so I hope that happens… That's not a condition.” “It's about a finish and a title (shot), Dana just told me that it has to be a good fight and I have to show myself well then I'll get a shot at the title,” Ankalaev continued.

Ankalaev claims Aleksandar Rakic ​​​​is the toughest fight in the light heavyweight division

Although Rakic ​​is coming off a loss to Jiri Prochazka at UFC 300 last April, Ankalaev believes the Austrian represents the light heavyweight division's toughest test due to his versatility.

“It's not that he's that tough, but the fact is he's versatile. He's got the punching power, he's got the ground game, right, when it comes to the champion, he's just got the punches, right, and we know those punches, and we've never seen him wrestle before,” Ankalaev claimed.

Although the majority of fans believe Ankalaev will finally have a shot at the title this Saturday, “Rocket” is hoping to take the title away from the Russian with a big comeback win.

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