Man, MMA is a cruel mistress. One second you're the king of the 205-pound mountain, and the next, you’re looking up at the lights of the T-Mobile Arena wondering what just hit you. That’s exactly what happened to Magomed Ankalaev.
He didn't just lose his belt; he lost it in a way that felt like a glitch in the Matrix.
The Night Everything Changed for Ankalaev
If you watched UFC 320 back in October, you know the vibe was electric. Ankalaev was the heavy favorite. Most of the betting money—about 89% of it, actually—was on him to repeat what he did at UFC 313. But Alex "Poatan" Pereira is a different breed of human.
Basically, the fight lasted about as long as a microwave burrito. 80 seconds. That's all it took for Pereira to land a massive right hook that sent Ankalaev into survival mode. When Herb Dean stepped in at the 1:20 mark of Round 1, the Dagestani’s 14-fight unbeaten streak wasn't just over; it was shattered.
How Ankalaev Responds to the Pereira KO
For a guy who usually keeps his cards close to his chest, Magomed's first public words were surprisingly vulnerable. He didn't blame a bad camp or a "fluke" punch. Instead, he took the spiritual route, which is pretty common for the fighters out of the Caucasus.
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"If Allah tested me with defeat, then he wants to toughen me," Ankalaev posted on Instagram. "I bow to His will, but not to difficulties. To those who stayed — thank you. To those who turned out, thank you too."
It’s an interesting take. Honestly, most fighters in his position would be calling for an immediate trilogy or complaining about a "fast stoppage." But Ankalaev? He basically said that this loss was a way to "clear the path" of unnecessary people. He sounds like a man who is recalibrating his entire circle.
What Went Wrong at UFC 320?
Let's talk about the actual fight. In their first meeting at UFC 313, Ankalaev outclassed Pereira over five rounds. He was the better technician. Pereira, however, claimed he was only at "40% health" for that first fight due to a nagging injury.
Most people—me included—kinda thought that was just Poatan being a sore loser.
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We were wrong.
At UFC 320, Pereira looked like a monster. He didn't sit back and wait. He pressured. He threw those leg kicks that feel like being hit by a baseball bat. When he landed that overhand right on Ankalaev’s temple, the champion panicked. He tried a desperation takedown, but Pereira stuffed it and rained down elbows until it was over.
The Manager Drama
You can't talk about this fight without mentioning Ali Abdelaziz. Ankalaev’s manager has a lot of history with Pereira, and things got ugly after the KO. Pereira actually went off on Ali, calling him out for "chasing clout" while the fighters are the ones actually risking their lives.
It adds a weird layer to the loss. Ankalaev isn't just fighting Pereira; he's part of a bigger rivalry that involves managers, Twitter beefs, and constant social media trolling.
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The 2026 Outlook: Where Does Ankalaev Go Now?
We are now in early 2026, and the light heavyweight division is a mess. A beautiful, violent mess.
Ankalaev just broke his silence again on January 15, asking fans who they want to see him fight next. He’s back in the gym. He’s healthy. But a title shot isn't just going to fall into his lap this time.
- The Trilogy Problem: Dana White doesn't seem to have much interest in a third fight right now. Since the KO was so decisive, the UFC is looking at other options for Pereira.
- The Jon Jones Factor: Pereira has been vocal about wanting a superfight with Jon Jones at heavyweight. If that happens, the 205-pound belt might get vacated or frozen.
- The Ulberg Threat: Carlos Ulberg is on a tear. He's currently one of the biggest threats to the top of the division, and a matchup between him and Ankalaev makes a ton of sense for a #1 contender spot.
What to Expect Next from Magomed Ankalaev
If you're an Ankalaev fan, don't panic. He’s still 33. He’s still one of the most technically sound fighters in the world. He just happened to run into a left-hook-shaped truck.
The road back to the gold likely goes through someone like Jiří Procházka or Carlos Ulberg. Procházka actually won at UFC 320 as well, knocking out Khalil Rountree Jr., so a fight between the two former champs is the most logical step for the UFC to take in the first half of 2026.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
- Keep an eye on the June 2026 schedule. There are rumors of a massive event, and that’s likely where we’ll see Ankalaev’s return.
- Watch the tape. If you go back and watch the 80 seconds of UFC 320, notice how Ankalaev’s footwork changed compared to their first fight. He was stationary, and against Pereira, that's a death sentence.
- Follow the rankings. With the division in flux, the next "official" rankings update will tell us if the UFC is still treating Ankalaev as a top-tier contender or if he’s being moved to the "gatekeeper" role for the new generation of strikers.
Ankalaev is far from finished. He’s just in that uncomfortable "soul-searching" phase that every great champion eventually hits.
Next Steps for You: Check the updated UFC 2026 schedule for the upcoming February Fight Night cards to see if Ankalaev is officially booked against Ulberg or Procházka.