Magomed Ankalaev

Magomed Ankalaev

Personal Information

Full Name Magomed Alibulatovich Ankalaev
Date of Birth June 2, 1992
Nationality Russian
Height 6 feet 2 inches (191 cm)

Magomed Ankalaev News

Magomed Ankalaev gives bold 2025 prophecy involving Alex Pereira twice, reacts to Jiri Prochazka's significant update on next fight Magomed Ankalaev gives bold 2025 prophecy involving Alex Pereira twice, reacts to Jiri Prochazka's significant update on next fight
Magomed Ankalaev gives bold 2025 prophecy involving Alex Pereira twice, reacts to Jiri Prochazka's significant update on next fight
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Alex Pereira's next fight reportedly confirmed, fellow light-heavyweight thanks Dana White for title shot Alex Pereira's next fight reportedly confirmed, fellow light-heavyweight thanks Dana White for title shot
Alex Pereira's next fight reportedly confirmed, fellow light-heavyweight thanks Dana White for title shot
Magomed Ankalaev backed to defeat Alex Pereira by the only man to defeat the Russian in MMA Magomed Ankalaev backed to defeat Alex Pereira by the only man to defeat the Russian in MMA
Magomed Ankalaev backed to defeat Alex Pereira by the only man to defeat the Russian in MMA
Magomed Ankalaev takes aim at Alex Pereira and Jon Jones for 'ducking' divisional matchups: "These guys are a joke" Magomed Ankalaev takes aim at Alex Pereira and Jon Jones for 'ducking' divisional matchups: "These guys are a joke"
Magomed Ankalaev takes aim at Alex Pereira and Jon Jones for 'ducking' divisional matchups: "These guys are a joke"
Magomed Ankalaev sets sights on Alex Pereira and Jon Jones Magomed Ankalaev sets sights on Alex Pereira and Jon Jones
Magomed Ankalaev sets sights on Alex Pereira and Jon Jones

Magomed Ankalaev: A Brief Biography

Magomed Alibulatovich Ankalaev is a Russian mixed martial artist hailing from Dagestan, who was born on June 2, 1992, and he now fights in the Ultimate Fighting Championship's (UFC) Light Heavyweight division. Ankalaev previously competed in World Fighting Championship Akhmat, where he was the light heavyweight champion. He is currently ranked No.4 among light heavyweights in the UFC as of December 6, 2022.

UFC 277: Ankalaev v Smith
UFC 277: Ankalaev v Smith

Latest News Update for Magomed Ankalaev

Ankalaev and Jan Bachowicz were slated to square off on December 10, 2022, at UFC 282. However, after Jiří Procházka relinquished his light heavyweight title due to a significant shoulder injury, the contest was changed to a title fight for the vacant UFC light heavyweight championship.

UFC 282 Main Event - Blachowicz vs. Ankalaev

Early Life and Career

During his first year of study at the Dagestan State University, where he received his degree in the sports faculty, Ankalaev trained in Greco-Roman wrestling. He also competed in combat sambo at that time, earning the honorary title of Master of Sports in the discipline. Because MMA and combat sambo are similar, Ankalaev was drawn to the thought of switching to MMA.

Ankalaev later won both the Russian and World amateur MMA championships. The Russian MMA Federation additionally selected Ankalaev as the 2015 Mixed Martial Artist of Russia.

Magomed Ankalaev’s Career in UFC

At UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Volkov in March 2018, Ankalaev faced Paul Craig in his UFC debut. Ankalaev controlled the battle for the better part of two rounds, winning with crisp striking, takedowns, and top control. In the first round, Ankalaev seriously injured Craig with a body kick. Ankalaev suffered his first professional defeat at precisely 4:59 of round three when Craig caught him with a triangle choke in the final five seconds of the round.

Ankalaev was slated to face Marcin Prachnio on September 15, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Oleinik, in an effort to bounce back from this defeat. After a sluggish start, Ankalaev successfully countered with a right hook, knocking Prachnio to the ground. After getting to his feet, Prachnio was then struck with a head kick, followed by a punch, knocking him out cold. Ankalaev received the Performance of the Night award and his first UFC victory thanks to the knockout.

Ankalaev has never been defeated after his debut and is currently on a 9-fight winning streak.

Ankalaev and Jan Bachowicz will be fighting for the vacant title of UFC Light Heavyweight Champion on UFC 282. This will be his first championship fight in the UFC.

Magomed Ankalaev Record

ResultRecordOpponentMethodEventDate
Win18–1Anthony SmithTKO (punches)UFC 27730 July 2022
Win17–1Thiago SantosDecision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Ankalaev12 March 2022
Win16–1Volkan OezdemirDecision (unanimous)UFC 26730 October 2021
Win15–1Nikita KrylovDecision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gane27 February 2021
Win14–1Ion CuțelabaKO (punches)UFC 25424 October 2020
Win13–1Ion CuțelabaTKO (head kicks and punches)UFC Fight Night: Benavidez vs. Figueiredo29 February 2020
Win12–1Dalcha LungiambulaKO (front kick and punch)UFC Fight Night: Magomedsharipov vs. Kattar9 November 2019
Win11–1Klidson AbreuDecision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Santos23 February 2019
Win10–1Marcin PrachnioKO (head kick and punches)UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Oleinik15 September 2018
Loss9–1Paul CraigSubmission (triangle choke)UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Volkov17 March 2018
Win9–0Celso Ricardo da SilvaKO (punches)WFCA 434 October 2017
Win8–0Wagner PradoKO (punches)WFCA 3821 June 2017
Win7–0Maxim GrishinTKO (punches)WFCA 304 October 2016
Win6–0Artur AstakhovDecision (unanimous)WFCA 2311 June 2016
Win5–0Lloyd MarshbanksTKO (submission to punches)WFCA 189 April 2016
Win4–0Nadir BulkhadarovTKO (punches)Supercup of Russia 20155 December 2015
Win3–0Döwletjan ÝagşymyradowDecision (unanimous)Oplot Challenge 10318 October 2014
Win2–0Strahinja DenićDecision (unanimous)Tesla Fighting Championship 414 June 2014
Win1–0Vasily BabichDecision (majority)Oplot Challenge 9618 January 2014

Magomed Ankalaev’s Most Popular Fights

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cuţelaba 1

At UFC Fight Night 169 on February 29, 2020, Ankalaev squared off against Ion Cuţelaba. He won the bout via a first-round TKO. The victory was not without controversy, however, as Cuțelaba protested the decision to end the fight after referee Kevin MacDonald thought he was out on his feet while still standing. The event commentators, MMA experts, and UFC competitors all agreed that the stoppage was premature.

UFC Fight Night 169: Cuţelaba vs. Ankalaev

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cuţelaba 2

On August 15, 2020, at UFC 252, a rematch with Cuțelaba was expected to take place. The fight was then rescheduled for UFC Fight Night 175 after Cuțelaba withdrew on August 11 after testing positive for COVID-19. The fight was once again postponed, as Cuţelaba tested positive for COVID-19 a second time. At UFC 254, they ultimately squared off. Ankalaev once again won the bout via a first-round knockout. He was awarded Performance of the Night for his triumph.

FAQ’s on Magomed Ankalaev

Who has Magomed Ankalaev lost to in the UFC?

Magomed Ankalaev has only lost to Paul Craig in the UFC.

How many fights has Magomed Ankalaev had in the UFC?

Ankalaev has fought a total of 10 times in the UFC.

Where is Magomed Ankalaev from?

Ankalaev hails from Dagestan in Russia. It also happens to be the hometown of former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

What is Magomed Ankalaev’s current rank in the UFC?

Ankalaev is currently ranked 4th in the Light Heavyweight standings in the UFC.

*Last Updated On December 6th, 2022