Published On Oct 3, 2024
Magomed Ankalaev - Russian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
As of April 16, 2024, he is #2 in the UFC light heavyweight rankings.
Ankalaev is the former Light heavyweight champion of World Fighting Championship Akhmat. He is also the winner of 2016 Akhmat FC Light Heavyweight Grand Prix.
Ankalaev made his professional debut on 18 January 2014, at Oplot Challenge 96, where he beat Vasily Babich of Ukraine by majority decision.
In December 2015, Anakalaev wins MMA Super Cup of Russia, by beating Nadyr Bulkadarov in the pro exhibition fight.
At Akhmat FC he was the winner 2016 Akhmat FC Light Heavyweight Grand Prix.
After winning the Chechen MMA promotion World Fighting Championship Akhmat's world title he signed with the UFC in October 2017.
Title contention.
Ankalaev fought Jan BÅ‚achowicz for the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship on December 10, 2022, at UFC 282. At first, it was booked as a 3-round co-main event, but then-reigning UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka pulled out of his title defense against Glover Teixeira and subsequently vacated his title, and the fight between Blachowicz and Ankalaev was changed to a 5-round title fight. The fight ended in a controversial split draw.23 out of 25 media members scored the fight as a win for Ankalaev.
Ankalaev faced Johnny Walker at UFC 294. The fight ended in a no-contest after an illegal knee by Ankalaev and the cage-side doctor controversially deemed Walker was unable to continue the fight.
Due to the controversial ending, the pair quickly rematched at UFC Fight Night 234 on January 13, 2024. Ankalaev won the fight by knockout in the second round after dropping Walker with a right hand. This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.
Ankalaev is scheduled to face Aleksandar Rakić on October 26, 2024 at UFC 308.
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