Magomed Ankalaev

Magomed Alibulatovich Ankalaev(Russian:Магомед Алибулатович Анкалаев; born 2 June 1992) is a Russian professionalmixed martial artist. He currently competes in theLight Heavyweightdivision of theUltimate Fighting Championship(UFC). As of October 22, 2024, he is #1 in theUFC 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 was born on June 2, 1992, in Teletl',Shamilsky District,Russiain a family ofAvar descent. Ankalaev first began training inGreco-Roman Wrestlingfor one year whilst he was a student at theDagestan State University, where he graduated in the sport faculty. At that time he also competed in combat sambo, where he was honoured with the title of Master of Sports in the discipline.Ankalaev was compelled at the idea of transitioning to MMA, because of the similarity between MMA and combat sambo. Ankalaev then became the Russian and World champion in amateur MMA.Ankalaev was also named the 2015 Mixed Martial Artist of Russia by the Russian MMA federation. Ankalaev is a devoutMuslim.
In December 2013, in the WMMAA's World Cup inBaku, Azerbaijan, Ankalaev won the gold medal, beating Kazakhstani Rustam Malaev in the finals.
In June 2014, at the Russian MMA Championship, Ankalaev ended up beating two ofFedor Emelianenko'sstudents,Valentin Moldavskyin semi-final, andVadim Nemkovin the finals;thereby qualifying for the WMMAA Championship inMinsk, Belarus, in September of the same year. He went on to win the silver medal.
In March 2015, Ankalaev won the finals of the MMA Cup of Dagestan, by beating Muslim Magomedov.Barely a month later, Magomed Ankalaev won the Russian Cup, by again beating his rival, Muslim Magomedov in the final.One month later, at the Russian MMA Championship, Ankalaev beat his old rival Valentin Moldavsky via split decision in the final, to win the gold medal.In November 2015, Ankalaev won the gold medal in the WMMAA World Championship held inPrague, Czech Republic.
In May 2016, Anakalaev won the Russian MMA Championship, by beating Magomed Shakhrudinov in tourney finals.In November of the same year, Ankalaev won the Combat Sambo Cup of Dagestan,and the gold medal in the WMMAA Championship a few weeks later, inMacau, China.
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.
Ankalaev made his promotional debut againstPaul Craigin March 2018 atUFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Volkov.Ankalaev dominated the fight for the majority of the bout, winning with clean striking, takedowns and top control; Ankalaev had Craig badly hurt with a body kick in the first round. However, in the last five seconds of round three, Craig caught Ankalaev with a triangle choke, giving him his first professional loss at exactly 4:59 of round three.
Rebounding from this loss, Ankalaev was scheduled to fightMarcin Prachnioon September 15, 2018, atUFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Oleinik.After a slow start, Ankalaev landed a right hook counter that knocked down Prachnio, who then got up, only to then be hit with a head kick and follow up punch which rendered him unconscious.The knockout earned Ankalaev his first UFC win andPerformance of the Nightaward.
Ankalaev was expected to face Darko Stošić on February 23, 2019, atUFC Fight Night 145.However, Stošić pulled out of the fight on January 23 citing injury.Ankalaev instead faced promotional newcomerKlidson Abreu.Ankalaev won the fight by unanimous decision.
Ankalaev facedDalcha Lungiambulaon November 9, 2019, atUFC Fight Night 163.He won the fight via knockout in the third round.This fight earned him thePerformance of the Nightaward.
Ankalaev facedIon Cuțelabaon February 29, 2020, atUFC Fight Night 169.He won via a technical knockout in the first round.The win was not without controversy as referee Kevin MacDonald stopped the bout believing Cuțelaba was out on his feet while still standing, which Cuțelaba immediately protested. The stoppage was heavily criticized by media outlets, fighters, and fans as being premature.Consequently, the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupation Regulation (DPOR) reviewed the fight, denying Cuțelaba's appeal to overturn the loss.
A rematch against Cuțelaba was expected to take place on August 15, 2020, atUFC 252.Cuțelaba then pulled out on August 11 after testing positive for COVID-19 and the bout was rescheduled forUFC Fight Night 175.However, the day of the event, it was announced the fight was once again cancelled after Cuțelaba tested positive for COVID-19 for a second time.They eventually faced each other atUFC 254.Ankalaev won the fight via knockout in round one.This win earned him thePerformance of the Nightaward.
Ankalev facedNikita Krylovon February 27, 2021, atUFC Fight Night 186.He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Ankalaev was scheduled to faceVolkan Oezdemiron September 4, 2021, atUFC Fight Night 191.The fight was later moved toUFC 267in Abu Dhabi on October 30, 2021.He won the bout via unanimous decision.
Ankalaev facedThiago Santoson March 12, 2022, atUFC Fight Night 203.He won the bout via unanimous decision.
Ankalaev next facedAnthony Smithon July 30, 2022, atUFC 277.He won the fight via technical knockout in the second round.
Ankalaev foughtJan Błachowiczfor the vacantUFC Light Heavyweight Championshipon December 10, 2022, atUFC 282.At first, it was booked as a 3-round co-main event, but then-reigning UFC Light Heavyweight championJiri Prochazkapulled out of his title defense againstGlover Teixeiradue to a shoulder injury 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 controversialsplit draw.23 out of 25 media members scored the fight as a win for Ankalaev.
Ankalaev facedJohnny WalkeratUFC 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 atUFC Fight Night 234on January 13, 2024.Ankalaev won the fight by knockout in the second round after dropping Walker with a right hand. This fight earned him thePerformance of the Nightaward.
Ankalaev facedAleksandar Rakićon October 26, 2024 atUFC 308.He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Ankalaev is scheduled to faceAlex Pereirafor theUFC Light Heavyweight Championshipon March 8, 2025 atUFC 313.