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Magomed Ankalaev Threatens Weight Class Switch “In January” After Boring TKO Win Leaves Him in Limbo
Seems like no one wants to lock horns with former UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev after his snoozefest with Bogdan Guskov.
Ankalaev was dethroned by Alex Pereira last year at UFC 320. In the title rematch, “Poatan” took just 80 seconds to dismantle the Russian fighter and get the belt back. Nearly nine months after losing his title, “Big Ank” recovered from a rib injury, returned to the octagon, and knocked out Bogdan Guskov to get back to winning ways. However, the fight was an extremely boring affair. Both fighters delivered a lackluster performance. Guskov barely offered any offense, while Ankalaev showed little urgency throughout the bout.
Magomed Ankalaev Delivers Another Snoozefest Performance at UFC Abu Dhabi Against Bogdan Guskov. [Images via Paramount]
Ankalaev knows he has not done enough to earn a title shot. He wants to win a few more in the hopes of earning another championship opportunity. However, he has alleged that the rest of the 205-pound division’s top contenders don’t want to fight him. Thus, the former champion is looking to move up to heavyweight and wants to make his 265-pound debut in Jan. 2027. The 34-year-old posted on X:
“Looks like nobody in the top five at light heavyweight wants to fight. Everybody’s got a reason. Khalil Rountree not ready Reyes just fought and is injured. Costa wants $10 million. So what about heavyweight? Anybody ready to fight? Let’s do it in January.”
Check out Magomed Ankalaev’s comments below:
Looks like nobody in the top five at light heavyweight wants to fight. Everybody’s got a reason. Khalil Rountree not ready Reyes just fought and is injured. Costa wants $10 million.
So what about heavyweight? Anybody ready to fight? Let’s do it in January.
— Muhammad big ANK Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) November 9, 2026
Why Magomed Ankalaev Should Wait A Little Longer
Magomed Ankalaev should hang around a little longer in the UFC light heavyweight division. The man who dethroned him last year has promised a move down if Sergei Pavlovich beats him at UFC 335. Ankalaev has unfinished business with Alex Pereira and believes that if he wasn’t injured before UFC 320, “Poatan” would never have finished him.
If the Brazilian loses to Pavlovich next month, he will move down. If that happens, a trilogy bout with Ankalaev might compel the matchmakers, and the Russian will finally have the perfect dance partner to exact his revenge.
Image: @ankalaev_magomed/Instagram
Newly minted UFC light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg tore his ACL the night he won the belt and has been rehabbing after going under the knife. Neither the Kiwi nor the UFC knows when exactly he will return, although “Black Jag” has said he’s targeting a return in early 2027. Thus, the promotion could soon stage a fight for the interim title. If that happens, Ankalaev’s name could already be in the mix, which is another reason he shouldn’t move up right now.