Ronny Markes, Bruno Cappelozza Support Magomed Ankalaev Ahead of UFC 313

Not everyone from Brazil will be on Alex Pereira’s side this Saturday.

After a meteoric rise that saw him capture UFC belts in two divisions, “Poatan” has become perhaps the biggest idol of MMA in Brazil today. When he steps into the Octagon to make his fourth title defense against Dagestan’s Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313, Pereira will certainly have the gigantic Brazilian audience behind him.

Two Brazilians, however, are exceptions and will certainly be on Ankalaev’s side: UFC veteran and Porrada Training Center leader Ronny Markes, and former Professional Fighters League heavyweight champion Bruno Cappelozza. Both Markes and Cappelozza recently signed with the Global Fight League. 

Markes recently explained how the partnership with Ankalaev began.

“The first time Ankalaev trained with us here at Porrada TC was in 2021,” Markes told Sherdog.com. “But he also trained at Xtreme [Couture]. For this fight, however, he trained the last three weeks only with us. We tried to help him with the grappling part, but there were [also] some very good striking guys here at the gym like [Alexander] Volkov, Cappelozza — and sparring with them was very good for Ankalaev.”

Cappelozza, who won the PFL heavyweight crown in 2021, was impressed by Ankalaev.

“Although he comes from sambo, his strong point is striking. But without a doubt, he is complete in all areas,” Cappelozza said.

Cappelozza then pointed out what he thought would be the key to Ankalaev defeating Pereira in the UFC 313 headliner.

"His grappling skills, not his jiu-jitsu itself,” he said. “I mean his wrestling is really good, mainly attacking take downs and going to the back. I don’t know if he will fight five rounds of striking with ‘Poatan.’ But I'm sure he will start exchanging blows, and as the fight goes, he will mix throw attempts and striking. Also, he is such a nice and respectful guy. I was happy to have trained with him.”

Markes does not believe that observing Ramadan will significantly impact Ankalaev’s performance.

"He spent most of the camp eating normally, since Ramadan started a few days ago and only had an impact on his last week of training," Markes said.

Markes decline to offer a prediction for the title fight.

“He [Ankalaev] is very fast for the weight class, especially in the game of getting in and out,” Markes said. “From what I saw in sparring here, I believe he will do exactly what he promised [keep the fight standing]. I am rooting for Ankalaev to win, but honestly I think it will be 50-50."

Despite the support of the two Brazilians, neither will be in Anakalaev's corner.

"Cappelozza and I support him in training,” Markes said. “But due to the communication barrier, since he doesn't speak English well, the ones who will be with him in the corner are his coaches from Dagestan."