Magomed Ankalaev said about Alex Pereira that "There is no more Chama. We killed it. No more Chama." This was in reference to Pereira's "Chama" catchphrase, which Ankalaev claimed to have ended for good during their UFC 320 press conference. Leading up to the fight, Ankalaev had also accused Pereira of greasing in their first fight and engaged in heated trash talk, even suggesting he wanted to hurt Pereira and calling him a "fake humble boy" on social media. After Pereira knocked him out in their rematch, Ankalaev and his team continued the rivalry, with Pereira's coach sending a taunt to Ankalaev to "go home, back to mother Russia, but not America." The tension and animosity between the two fighters were significant throughout their encounters.

In summary, Ankalaev was very confrontational and dismissive of Pereira's persona and fight style in their build-up and aftermath of their bouts, particularly targeting Pereira's catchphrase and accusing him of cheating in their first fight.