Magomed Ankalaev is doing his best to talk his second-career Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) title shot into existence.
As the streaking No. 2-ranked contender in the Light Heavyweight division, Ankalaev admittedly shouldn’t have to do any talking at this stage. However, he knows it’s a part of the business.
Ankalaev, 32, had his first UFC title shot when he battled former champion, Jan Blachowicz, in December 2022. Unfortunately for each, the vacant title tilt resulted in a split draw that left them on the outside looking in as the promotion desperately sought the placeholder for the injured Jiri Prochazka. Fast forward to the present day and Brazil’s Alex Pereira has become a mixed martial arts (MMA) anomaly, holding 205-pound gold. After dispatching the former champions Prochazka (twice) and Jamahal Hill, the Ankalaev pairing makes all the sense for the “Poatan’s” next title defense.
“@AlexPereiraUFC kept away from me for a reason, and I do understand this is business @ufc best fight the best and he is the best for now I will keep my work,” Ankalaev tweeted. “I will knock him out. @Mickmaynard2 @danawhite nothing better than you’ve seen an event somebody going to sleep.
“End of the year he’ll be laying on his back looking at the light and ask his corner, are we back in Brazil this is a promise. I will knock him out,” he concluded.
Two fights against Johnny Walker have followed the Blachowicz clash for Ankalaev. Still shaking off the bad luck of his title tilt’s outcome, Ankalaev vs. Walker 1 ended via no contest after an illegal knee to Walker in round one (watch highlights). The same couldn’t be said for the rematch, as Ankalaev put Walker away with strikes in round two (watch highlights).