Magomed Ankalaev is probably the most frustrated man in mixed martial arts right now. If you've been following the light heavyweight division over the last year, you know the vibe. One minute he's the king, the next he's looking up at the lights after a left hook from Alex Pereira. It's been a wild ride.
Honestly, the "Ankalaev era" felt like it was finally starting when he beat Pereira at UFC 313 back in March 2025. He did exactly what he was supposed to do—clinch, smother, and take away the space "Poatan" needs to breathe. But that 1-20 TKO loss in the rematch at UFC 320 this past October? That changed everything. Now, everyone is asking about the Magomed Ankalaev next fight, and the answer isn't as simple as just "give him a title shot."
Why the Magomed Ankalaev Next Fight Isn't Against Alex Pereira (Yet)
Look, they are 1-1 against each other. In a perfect world, you just book the trilogy and let them settle it. But the UFC rarely works like that when the second fight ends in 80 seconds. Pereira basically deleted the memory of that first loss with one massive right hand.
Basically, the UFC is in a weird spot. Pereira is talking about moving around or taking "historic gambles," and Ankalaev’s manager, Rizvan Magomedov, is already pivoting. He told MMA Arena recently that "Magomed needs to have one fight in between."
Who does that leave?
- Jiří Procházka: This is the name everyone is circling. Procházka is coming off a TKO win over Khalil Rountree Jr. at that same UFC 320 card. He’s the former champ, he’s weird, he’s dangerous, and he's currently sitting right at the top of the rankings with Ankalaev.
- Jamahal Hill: Still a factor, though he's had his share of setbacks.
- Carlos Ulberg: The dark horse. He’s been on a tear, and if the UFC wants fresh blood, he’s the guy.
But let’s be real. If you want to see Ankalaev back in a title fight by the end of 2026, he has to go through Jiří. It’s the only fight that makes sense for the fans and the matchmakers.
The Problem With Waiting
Ankalaev has a history of not being "active enough" or having weird things happen in his fights. Remember the draw with Jan Błachowicz? Or the illegal knee against Johnny Walker? The guy has the worst luck in the promotion.
Waiting for Pereira to decide if he's staying at 205 pounds is a trap. If Ankalaev sits out until June or July of 2026, he might find himself leapfrogged by a rising contender like Ulberg or even a returning veteran. His team knows this. That’s why the talk of a "quicker turnaround" in early 2026 is actually a great sign for his career.
The Skillset Dilemma: Striker vs. Grappler
When we talk about the Magomed Ankalaev next fight, we have to talk about which version of Magomed shows up. In the first Pereira fight, he was a tactical genius. He used his Sambo background to keep things safe.
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In the rematch? He tried to trade. You don't trade with Alex Pereira.
- Takedown Defense: Ankalaev is elite here, but he needs to be the one initiating the wrestling.
- The Left Hook: He still has a habit of keeping his chin a bit too high when exiting exchanges.
- The Mental Game: After a knockout like the one in October, there's always the question of "is his chin the same?"
Procházka is the perfect test for this. Jiří is chaotic. He throws flying knees and spinning backfists from nowhere. If Ankalaev can stay disciplined and use his wrestling to ground the "Samurai," he proves he’s still the best 205-pounder on the planet not named Pereira.
What the Rankings Say Right Now
As of mid-January 2026, the light heavyweight top 5 is a shark tank.
- Champion: Alex Pereira (The man everyone is chasing)
- #1 (Tie): Magomed Ankalaev & Jiří Procházka
- #3: Jamahal Hill
- #4: Aleksandar Rakić
- #5: Carlos Ulberg
The "Tie" at #1 is the UFC's way of saying: "Fight each other for the right to face the champ." It's essentially a title eliminator waiting to happen. Rumors are swirling about a potential announcement before the end of January, possibly for a card in March or April.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're looking to track what happens next, keep your eyes on the UFC 324 and 325 announcements. Usually, the promotion likes to put these big light heavyweight bouts on the same card as the champion or as a massive Five-Round Main Event on a Fight Night.
Don't buy into the "Mike Tyson vs Ankalaev" nonsense you might see on YouTube—that's just clickbait junk. Stay focused on the real rankings.
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What you should do next:
- Follow Rizvan Magomedov on X: He’s usually the first to leak when a contract is signed.
- Watch the UFC 321 Press Conference: Dana White is expected to clarify Pereira's next move there.
- Re-watch Ankalaev vs. Procházka common opponents: Specifically, how they both handled Aleksandar Rakić. It gives a huge hint on how their styles will clash.
Ankalaev is 33. He's in his prime. He has 21 wins and only 2 losses. One of those was a literal last-second submission to Paul Craig years ago, and the other was the Pereira fluke/masterclass (depending on who you ask). He’s not going anywhere. The road back to the belt starts now, and it likely goes through a very dangerous Czech striker in the spring of 2026.