Magomed Ankalaev News
Magomed Ankalaev sends a warning to Alex Pereira amid talks of title fight
Harry Kettle - January 11, 2025
UFC contender Magomed Ankalaev has sent a stern warning to Alex Pereira with reports suggesting the two will fight one another later this year. After months of speculation, it seems as if Magomed Ankalaev’s moment has finally arrived. He is set to challenge Alex Pereira for the UFC light heavyweight championship later this year after spending a long time campaigning for another crack at the gold.
REPORT | Alex Pereira to finally fight Magomed Ankalaev in UFC return
Josh Evanoff - January 10, 2025
According to Ariel Helwani, UFC champion Alex Pereira will likely face Magomed Ankalaev next. ‘Poatan’ hasn’t been seen in the octagon since a short-notice clash with Khalil Rountree in October. While many hoped to see Alex Pereira face the rising Magomed Ankalaev, he instead met ‘The War Horse’. Despite some early success from Rountree, the Brazilian broke down his challenger to score a fourth-round knockout win at UFC 307.
Magomed Ankalaev's manager guarantees title fight against Alex Pereira is next: 'In the UFC, the best fight with the best'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 6, 2025
Much has been made over who Alex Pereira’s next opponent will be, but Magomed Ankalaev’s manager says there is only one option. Pereira is the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion. It’s been clear to fans and experts that Ankalaev is the rightful contender, but there’s been some gamesmanship going on between the two. Ankalaev has insisted that “Poatan” is ducking him, while the 205-pound champion is saying that UFC officials think the top contender is too boring to headline a pay-per-view card.
Joe Rogan shares interesting theory on why Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev hasn't been booked
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 5, 2025
UFC color commentator Joe Rogan believes he knows what the holdup is with Alex Pereira’s next title fight. Fight fans who have been paying attention to the light heavyweight title picture can conclude that Magomed Ankalaev is a clear deserving number one contender. Ankalaev hasn’t been defeated since his UFC debut back in March 2018, and it remains the lone defeat of his pro MMA career. More recently, the Russian contender defeated Aleksandar Rakic via unanimous decision to improve his record to 19-1, 1 NC.
Jan Blachowicz explains why he isn't sold on Magomed Ankalaev dethroning UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 16, 2024
Jan Blachowicz doesn’t believe Magomed Ankalaev has shown anything that leads him to believe he can dethrone Alex Pereira. Pereira is the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion. It’s become clear that Ankalaev has done enough to be his next title challenger, as he’s gone 11-0-1. 1 NC in his last 13 fights. The title fight has not been made official at this time.
Former UFC champion Jamahal Hill slams Magomed Ankalaev: 'I can do beef like that, f*** you'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 24, 2024
Jamahal Hill has taken aim at Magomed Ankalaev. Ankalaev is likely next in line for a shot at UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. Hill is a former 205-pound titleholder, and he’s looking to rebound from a first-round KO against “Poatan.”
Magomed Ankalaev claims Dana White told him he's next for UFC champion Alex Pereira: "Thank you for clearing this"
Josh Evanoff - November 14, 2024
It appears that Magomed Ankalaev will indeed be next for UFC light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. ‘Poatan’ has been out of the cage since a showdown with Khalil Rountree Jr. in October. In the main event of UFC 307, Alex Pereira faced far more trouble than many expected. ‘The War Horse’ dropped the light-heavyweight champion in round two, and entered the championship rounds up on the scorecards. However, the Brazilian ultimately broke him down to secure a fourth-round knockout win.
REPORT | Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev not an option for UFC 310
Cole Shelton - November 1, 2024
Alex Pereira is unlikely to make a fourth defense of his light heavyweight title in 2024. After Belal Muhammad was forced to withdraw from UFC 310 due to a toe infection, Pereira was linked to make another quick turnaround and defend his belt against Magomed Ankalaev. However, according to Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighitng, Pereira vs. Anakalev is not an option for UFC 310 on December 7.
Jamahal Hill blasts Magomed Ankalaev for "boring" fight at UFC 308: "That performance sucked"
Cole Shelton - October 29, 2024
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill was not happy with Magomed Ankalaev’s performance at UFC 308. Ankalaev picked up a decision win over Aleksandar Rakic in a rather lackluster fight. Neither man threw many strikes, as Hill called it boring. But, he says the blame is on Ankalaev for making it such a boring fight.
Magomed Ankalaev sends clear message to Alex Pereira following UFC 308: "Stop running away from me"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 28, 2024
Magomed Ankalaev is convinced that Alex Pereira is avoiding him. Ankalaev shared the Octagon with Aleksandar Rakic on the main card of UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi. It was a pivotal fight for Ankalaev, who was told he’d need an impressive win to secure another light heavyweight title bout.
UFC 308 Results: Magomed Ankalaev defeats Aleksandar Rakic
Chris Taylor - October 26, 2024
We have you covered for all of today’s UFC 308 results, including the light heavyweight bout between Magomed Ankalaev and Aleksandar Rakic. Ankalaev (19-1-1 MMA) will be returning to the Octagon for the first time since January of this year, where he earned a second-round knockout victory over Johnny Walker (see that here). The Russian standout will be looking to earn a title shot against Alex Pereira with an impressive showing this afternoon.
Magomed Ankalaev issues a warning ahead of Aleksandar Rakic fight at UFC 308
Harry Kettle - October 26, 2024
UFC fighter Magomed Ankalaev is ready to make a statement tonight as he prepares to battle Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308. In the eyes of many, Magomed Ankalaev is the rightful number one contender for the UFC light heavyweight championship. However, he was passed over for Khalil Rountree Jr, with Magomed instead being given a fight against Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308.
Alex Pereira hints he may prevent Magomed Ankalaev's UFC title shot after "Disrespectful" trash talk
Curtis Calhoun - October 17, 2024
UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira might stop the promotion from giving Magomed Ankalaev a title shot if he wins his upcoming fight later this month. Pereira successfully defended the UFC light heavyweight belt by finishing Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307. Despite a slow start to the fight, Pereira rallied as the fight went on, battering and defeating Rountree in Round 4.
Magomed Ankalaev offers himself as surprise backup fighter for Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic: "I will beat him"
Josh Evanoff - October 8, 2024
UFC light-heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev is interested in facing Jon Jones. The 32-year-old Russian is in a bit of an odd situation right now. Magomed Ankalaev last appeared in the cage in January, in an UFC Apex main event. There, the light-heavyweight contender faced Johnny Walker in a rematch of their no-contest last October. Ultimately, it took just two rounds for Ankalaev to secure a knockout victory.
Alex Pereira criticizes Magomed Ankalaev's fighting style: "Nobody wants to watch"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 29, 2024
Alex Pereira doesn’t believe the UFC is too fond of Magomed Ankalaev’s fighting style. Pereira and Ankalaev have gone back and forth on who is to blame for the fact that they have yet to share the Octagon. “Poatan” has claimed that Ankalaev didn’t want to fight him at UFC 307, which the Russian strongly denies.
Ali Abdelaziz thinks it's "bullsh*t" Magomed Ankalaev isn't fighting for UFC gold next
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 24, 2024
Top MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz isn’t thrilled about Magomed Ankalaev not receiving the next UFC light heavyweight title shot. Ankalaev has been calling for a showdown with the champion Alex Pereira. “Poatan” claims that the Russian avoided a title opportunity for UFC 307. Ankalaev vehemently denies that claim.
Alex Pereira responds to accusations that he is ducking Magomed Ankalaev: "I’m not scared of anyone"
Chris Taylor - August 24, 2024
UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has responded to the critics suggesting he is ducking top contender Magomed Ankalaev. After Pereira (11-2 MMA) successfully defended the 205lbs title for a second time at UFC 303 against Jiri Prochazka, most believed that his next challenger would come in the form of Ankalaev (18-1-1 MMA).
Dana White explains what Magomed Ankalaev must do to earn another UFC title shot
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 22, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White has revealed how Magomed Ankalaev can secure another light heavyweight title opportunity. When it was announced that 205-pound champion Alex Pereira will put his gold at stake against Khalil Rountree in the main event of UFC 307, the reaction within the MMA community was mixed. While many are expecting a barnburner between the two knockout artists, Rountree’s credibility as a title contender has come into question.