Magomed Ankalaev
Russia
Loses title in 80 seconds
Ankalaev dropped the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship on Saturday, losing to Alex Pereira via TKO (elbows) at 1:20 of Round 1 at UFC 320 in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
In a span of 80 seconds, all the good will Ankalaev built up from his dominating championship win over Pereira in March is gone. Truthfully, there's very little to break down here from a stylistic standpoint. Magomed found himself on the retreat the second the opening bell rang. He ate one massive right hand from Pereira which forced him to shoot for a takedown. He ended up on his back instead. Referee Herb Dean gave Ankalaev plenty of time to work through it, but countless unanswered elbows to the side of the head eventually forced him to step in. Ankalaev remains one of the best light heavyweights in the world, and at age 33, he has plenty of time to rebound from this effort, but it's going to be a long road.
In a span of 80 seconds, all the good will Ankalaev built up from his dominating championship win over Pereira in March is gone. Truthfully, there's very little to break down here from a stylistic standpoint. Magomed found himself on the retreat the second the opening bell rang. He ate one massive right hand from Pereira which forced him to shoot for a takedown. He ended up on his back instead. Referee Herb Dean gave Ankalaev plenty of time to work through it, but countless unanswered elbows to the side of the head eventually forced him to step in. Ankalaev remains one of the best light heavyweights in the world, and at age 33, he has plenty of time to rebound from this effort, but it's going to be a long road.
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First title defense set
Ankalaev will defend his UFC Light Heavyweight Championship against Alex Pereira at UFC 320 on Oct. 4, according to UFC President Dana White (via Instagram Live).
ANALYSIS
Ankalaev will attempt to make his first title defense and extend his winning streak to four against the fighter he took the belt from originally. Ankalaev entered as a betting underdog in that matchup, but he had an answer for everything Pereira through over the five-round fight, officially winning the significant striking battle by a count of 94-to-76. That could have very well been an off night at the office for Pereira, who had defended his title seemingly with ease in his previous four fights, but it's possible Ankalaev enters this one as the betting favorite as a result.
Ankalaev will attempt to make his first title defense and extend his winning streak to four against the fighter he took the belt from originally. Ankalaev entered as a betting underdog in that matchup, but he had an answer for everything Pereira through over the five-round fight, officially winning the significant striking battle by a count of 94-to-76. That could have very well been an off night at the office for Pereira, who had defended his title seemingly with ease in his previous four fights, but it's possible Ankalaev enters this one as the betting favorite as a result.
New UFC Light Heavyweight Champion
Ankalaev won the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship on Saturday, defeating Alex Pereira via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 48-47) at UFC 313 in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It's obviously the biggest win of Ankalaev's career, and he used a very unique game plan to pull it off. The two men fought to relatively even terms on the feet, but it was the challenger that was constantly pushing forward, seemingly unafraid of Pereira's power. Ankalaev fired off a dozen takedowns and failed on every single one, but that didn't stop him from earning 5:42 worth of control time. He limited Pereira's space and pinned him up along the fence for much of the bout, especially late. That was literally all he did in Round 4, and it was enough to win him the frame. It was widely expected going into the evening that Ankalaev would prove to be the toughest all-around threat to Pereira's title to date, and that ended up being the case. The 32-year-old Russian hasn't lost a fight in nearly seven years, a span of 14 bouts (12-0-1, 1NC). Ankaleav seems likely to hold the belt through multiple title defenses given his recent body of work.
It's obviously the biggest win of Ankalaev's career, and he used a very unique game plan to pull it off. The two men fought to relatively even terms on the feet, but it was the challenger that was constantly pushing forward, seemingly unafraid of Pereira's power. Ankalaev fired off a dozen takedowns and failed on every single one, but that didn't stop him from earning 5:42 worth of control time. He limited Pereira's space and pinned him up along the fence for much of the bout, especially late. That was literally all he did in Round 4, and it was enough to win him the frame. It was widely expected going into the evening that Ankalaev would prove to be the toughest all-around threat to Pereira's title to date, and that ended up being the case. The 32-year-old Russian hasn't lost a fight in nearly seven years, a span of 14 bouts (12-0-1, 1NC). Ankaleav seems likely to hold the belt through multiple title defenses given his recent body of work.
Finally gets title shot
Ankalaev will challenge Alex Pereira for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship at UFC 313 on March 8, per the UFC 311 broadcast.
ANALYSIS
Ankalaev is certainly deserving of this opportunity despite the champion's comments that suggested he might not give it to him in favor of more exciting fighters. it was truly the only fight to make at light heavyweight, however. Ankalaev hasn't lost since his 2018 debut, picking up 11 victories since, with a no-contest and a draw mixed in there. He's won two in a row, though, including a tight decision over a tough customer in Aleksandar Rakic last October. While Anaklaev is more than respectable on the feet, nobody in the division can match the striking skills of Pereira, who will be making his fourth title defense. Anklaev will have to get this to the ground by any means necessary in hopes of negating Pereira's greatest strength.
Ankalaev is certainly deserving of this opportunity despite the champion's comments that suggested he might not give it to him in favor of more exciting fighters. it was truly the only fight to make at light heavyweight, however. Ankalaev hasn't lost since his 2018 debut, picking up 11 victories since, with a no-contest and a draw mixed in there. He's won two in a row, though, including a tight decision over a tough customer in Aleksandar Rakic last October. While Anaklaev is more than respectable on the feet, nobody in the division can match the striking skills of Pereira, who will be making his fourth title defense. Anklaev will have to get this to the ground by any means necessary in hopes of negating Pereira's greatest strength.
Another win, title shot next?
Ankalaev defeated Aleksandar Rakic via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC 308 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
It wasn't the dominant type effort we have seen from Ankalaev in the past, but it was another strong performance against a quality opponent and should be more than enough to earn him the next shot at Alex Pereira's UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Magomed closed with a 55-53 edge in terms of significant strikes landed. He constantly pushed forward and limited Rakic's space despite not attempting a single takedown. Ankalaev is a complete mixed martial artist. He has power, can grapple if needed, is durable and his cardio is strong. Undefeated in his past dozen bouts (10-0-1, 1NC), we are almost certainly looking at an Ankalaev v. Pereira title fight at some point in the next 12 months.
It wasn't the dominant type effort we have seen from Ankalaev in the past, but it was another strong performance against a quality opponent and should be more than enough to earn him the next shot at Alex Pereira's UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Magomed closed with a 55-53 edge in terms of significant strikes landed. He constantly pushed forward and limited Rakic's space despite not attempting a single takedown. Ankalaev is a complete mixed martial artist. He has power, can grapple if needed, is durable and his cardio is strong. Undefeated in his past dozen bouts (10-0-1, 1NC), we are almost certainly looking at an Ankalaev v. Pereira title fight at some point in the next 12 months.
Facing Rakic in October
Ankalaev will take on Aleksander Rakic in a light heavyweight bout at UFC 308 on Oct. 26, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Ankalaev was initially scheduled to face Alex Pereira, but his opponent was quickly changed to Rakic. He'll look to continue his dominant stretch; the fighter hasn't lost a professional MMA bout since 2018. He most recently took care of Johnny Walker in the second round of a Jan. 13 fight with a Right Hook-uppercut. His opponent Rakic, meanwhile, will be desperate for a win as he's lost his past two bouts.
Ankalaev was initially scheduled to face Alex Pereira, but his opponent was quickly changed to Rakic. He'll look to continue his dominant stretch; the fighter hasn't lost a professional MMA bout since 2018. He most recently took care of Johnny Walker in the second round of a Jan. 13 fight with a Right Hook-uppercut. His opponent Rakic, meanwhile, will be desperate for a win as he's lost his past two bouts.