Magomed Ankalaev News

Magomed Ankalaev
Magomed Ankalaev

Magomed Ankalaev plans to prove Anthony Smith's time as a title contender "is over" at UFC 277

Cole Shelton - July 28, 2022

Magomed Ankalaev plans to end Anthony Smith’s time as a contender in the UFC on Saturday at UFC 277. Opening up the pay-per-view main card is a pivotal light heavyweight scrap as Ankalaev is set to face Smith in a potential title eliminator fight. Although Smith is on a three-fight winning streak and has won all three fights by stoppage, Ankalaev plans to end the impressive run and prove how much better he is.

Anthony Smith, UFC rankings
Magomed Ankalaev

Anthony Smith on surging UFC light heavyweight Magomed Ankalaev: “He’s not the boogeyman that everyone made him out to be”

Harry Kettle - April 5, 2022

UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith has given his thoughts on divisional rival and rising star Magomed Ankalaev. Out of all divisions in the UFC, there’s an argument to be made that light heavyweight is the most unpredictable. From Glover Teixeira and Jan Blachowicz winning the title to a host of new faces cropping up in the top 15, things have been pretty wild since Jon Jones vacated the belt and started his transition up to heavyweight.

Magomed Ankalaev
Thiago Santos

What's next for Magomed Ankalaev and Thiago Santos after UFC Vegas 50?

Cole Shelton - March 14, 2022

In the main event of UFC Vegas 50 on Saturday, top-10 light heavyweights collided as Magomed Ankalaev took on Thiago Santos. Ankalaev entered the fight as the sixth-ranked light heavyweight and was on a seven-fight win streak with wins over Volkan Oezdemir, Nikita Krylov, and Ion Cutelaba among others. Thiago Santos, meanwhile, returned to the win column in his last time out as he beat Johnny Walker by decision to snap his three-fight skid.

Magomed Ankalaev Anthony Smith
Magomed Ankalaev

Magomed Ankalaev Dismisses Fight With Anthony Smith Following UFC Vegas 50 Win

Fernando Quiles - March 13, 2022

Magomed Ankalaev no longer has interest in a clash with Anthony Smith. Ankalaev took center stage in the main event of UFC Vegas 50. He shared the Octagon with Thiago Santos. Ankalaev emerged victorious via unanimous decision. He feels a UFC Light Heavyweight Title shot is in order.

Thiago Santos, Magomed Ankalaev, UFC Vegas 50
Thiago Santos

UFC Vegas 50 Results: Magomed Ankalaev defeats Thiago Santos

Chris Taylor - March 12, 2022

Tonight’s UFC Vegas 50 event is headlined by a light heavyweight contest featuring Thiago Santos taking on Magomed Ankalaev. Santos (22-9 MMA), a former light heavyweight title challenger, will be looking to earn his second straight win when he takes to the Octagon this evening. ‘Marreta’ last competed back in October, where he earned a unanimous decision victory over Johnny Walker.

Thiago Santos, Magomed Ankalaev, UFC Vegas 50
Thiago Santos

UFC Vegas 50: 'Santos vs. Ankalaev' Live Results and Highlights

Chris Taylor - March 12, 2022

The Octagon remains in Nevada for tonight’s UFC Vegas 50 event, a fourteen-bout fight card headlined by Thiago Santos vs. Magomed Ankalaev. Santos (22-9 MMA), a former light heavyweight title challenger, will be looking to earn his second straight win when he takes to the Octagon this evening. ‘Marreta’ last competed back in October, where he earned a unanimous decision victory over Johnny Walker.

Thiago Santos, Magomed Ankalaev, UFC Vegas 50
Magomed Ankalaev

Pro fighters make their picks for Thiago Santos vs. Magomed Ankalaev

Cole Shelton - March 10, 2022

In the main event of UFC Vegas 50, top-10 light heavyweights collide as Thiago Santos takes on Magomed Ankalaev. Heading into the fight, Ankalaev is a massive -600 favorite while the Brazilian is a +425 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. To no surprise, as the odds suggest, the pros are actually nearly split on this one as some think Santos is too much of a step-up while others believe Ankalaev is the real deal.

Thiago Santos
Thiago Santos

Former UFC title challenger Thiago Santos set to return against Magomed Ankalaev on March 12

Harry Kettle - November 16, 2021

UFC light heavyweight contenders Thiago Santos and Magomed Ankalaev are set to battle in a UFC Fight Night main event on March 12. The news comes from ESPN’s Brett Okamoto and will serve as the biggest test for Ankalaev thus far in the UFC. Both men are coming off the back of nice wins with Santos bouncing back from three straight losses with a victory over Johnny Walker.

Magomed Ankalaev, Volkan Oezdemir, UFC 267
UFC

Pros react after Magomed Ankalaev defeats Volkan Oezdemir at UFC 267

Chris Taylor - October 30, 2021

A key light heavyweight bout featuring former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir taking on Magomed Ankalaev kicked off today’s UFC 267 main card. Ankalaev (16-1 MMA) had entered the contest on a six-fight winning streak, his most recent being a unanimous decision victory over Nikita Krylov back in February.

Volkan Oezdemir
Magomed Ankalaev

Volkan Oezdemir plans to KO Magomed Ankalaev and shut up Aleksandar Rakic again next time out

Cole Shelton - October 27, 2021

Volkan Oezdemir didn’t think he would be off for this long after his last fight. Back at UFC 251 last July, Oezdemir suffered a KO loss to Jiri Prochazka and since then, he has not been able to fight due to a variety of different reasons. However, he will finally make his return on the main card of UFC 267 against Magomed Ankalaev.

Volkan-Oezdemir-Magomed-Ankalaev
UFC

Volkan Oezdemir returns after year-long layoff to face Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 267

Drake Riggs - August 23, 2021

Volkan Oezdemir is ready to make up for some lost time. On Monday, MMA DNA’s Marcel Dorff revealed that a bout between top light heavyweight contenders in the No. 8 ranked Oezdemir and No. 7 Magomed Ankalaev is on. The two are set to compete in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 30 at UFC 267.

Magomed Ankalaev
UFC

Magomed Ankalaev wants top-five opponent following sixth win in a row at UFC Vegas 20

Adam Martin - February 28, 2021

UFC light heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev wants to get a top-five opponent after picking up six sixth straight win at UFC Vegas 20. Ankalaev defeated Nikita Krylov via unanimous decision in the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC Vegas 20 card. Although he wasn’t able to get the finish, Ankalaev was mostly able to impose his will in the striking and wrestling following a quick start by Krylov. It was a solid performance by Ankalaev, who figures to take over Krylov’s No. 8 spot in the UFC light heavyweight rankings. Ankalaev is 6-1 overall in the UFC and has won his six fights in a row. He appears to be a serious contender and in a wide-open division, is likely only one or two more wins away from getting a title shot at 205lbs.

Magomed-Ankalaev
Nikita Krylov

UFC Vegas 20 Result: Magomed Ankalaev defeats Nikita Krylov (Highlights)

Chris Taylor - February 27, 2021

Tonight’s UFC Vegas 20 event is co-headlined by a key light heavyweight bout featuring Magomed Ankalaev taking on Nikita Krylov. Ankalaev (14-1 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since earning a first round knockout over Ion Cutelaba at UFC 254 in October. The victory marked the Russian’s fifth in a row and third straight stoppage win.

Magomed Ankalaev
Nikita Krylov

Magomed Ankalaev set to return against fellow light heavyweight contender Nikita Krylov on February 27

Harry Kettle - December 30, 2020

Top light heavyweight contenders will meet in late February as Magomed Ankalaev prepares to lock horns with Nikita Krylov. These two titans at 205 pounds will be hoping to make a statement to kickstart 2021 with both coming off the back of 2020 wins over legitimate names – Ion Cutelaba and Johnny Walker respectively.

Magomed Ankalaev, Ion Cutelaba
UFC

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba re-booked for UFC 254

Adam Martin - September 9, 2020

The on-again, off-again rematch between light heavyweight contenders Magomed Ankalaev and Ion Cutelaba has been re-booked for UFC 254. The UFC added Ankalaev vs. Cutelaba 2 to its official fight card for UFC 254, which takes place on October 24 on Fight Island. The main event of that card is scheduled to see UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov take on interim champ Justin Gaethje. Also on the card is a lightweight bout between Islam Makhachev and Rafael dos Anjos.