Magomed Ankalaev was born on June 2nd, 1992, in Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia. Like almost all fighters from Dagestan, he started combat sports training from a tender age. Ankalaev firstly trained in boxing, further transitioning to kickboxing, judo, and finally to MMA. He made a big name for himself in his country before joining the UFC and is one of the biggest stories in town since his arrival into the organization. Ankalaev is known for his laid-back demeanor, calculated approach to the cage, and the effective power in his strikes.
Career of Magomed Ankalaev in MMA
Ankalaev has been a professional in MMA since 2014, and in no time, he had earned a strong foothold in the fight circuit of Russia. Carrying an incredible record of 8-0 before coming into the UFC, a number of those wins came via knockout. That undefeated streak, with raw talent and a diverse skill set, was good enough to get him noticed by UFC scouts.
UFC Debut: Making his Octagon debut at UFC Fight Night 136 in 2018, Magomed Ankalaev took on Klidson Abreu where Ankalaev exposed his striking ability and dominant ground-and-pound en route to the third-round finish. Well, that indeed set up an explosive Octagon career for him.
Notable Fights and Achievements:
Ankalaev vs Ion Cuțelaba I and II: Arguably the most hyped rivalries of his career would most certainly be Ankalaev against Ion Cuțelaba.
The two first fought in February 2020, with Ankalaev winning by first-round knockout. But there was some controversy over the stoppage, with the referee calling an apparent fake knockout on Cuțelaba. The UFC had since booked an immediate rematch between the two this month in July 2020. He has won convincingly on that occasion via a second-round knockout, proving his superiority over his opponent in the light heavyweight division.
Ankalaev vs Jan Błachowicz (Title Fight Contender Match): A title bid was on the line as Ankalaev faced the then former UFC light heavyweight champion, Jan Błachowicz at UFC 282 in December of last year. Despite a close back-and-forth contest, Ankalaev and Błachowicz fought to a split draw with fans and analysts alike questioning as if Ankalaev should’ve received the win. That fight cemented his standing as one of the better fighters in the division.
Ankalaev vs Anthony Smith: The next great test in front of Ankalaev would be taken in the form of a fighter named Anthony “Lionheart” Smith himself, in 2023. Similarly, Ankalaev went on to win the contest through clear unanimous decision while unleashing his dominance on to complete feet and in the in-fight ground game itself. The result of it got Ankalaev pushing back into serious contention one more time.
Ankalaev vs. Jiri Prochazka: The fight against current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Czech striker Jiri Prochazka, might be one of the most expected for Ankalaev. Many fans and analysts believe this is going to be the fight to decide the future of the division.
Fight Style of Magomed Ankalaev
Many people have praised the varied skillset of Magomed Ankalaev inside the octagon; he can do everything from striking to grappling, which is what makes him such a formidable opponent in the light heavyweight division.
Striking:
While the majority view striking as Ankalaev’s ace point, his hands have held the power. All Ankalaev’s knockouts to the date are testaments in themselves to the amount of devastating power he holds, extremely accurate with his feet and hands, his overall ability to set up tidy, clean strikes from unexpected angles makes him dangerous and proficient in stand-up game manners, and highly technical with several available lanes against opponents.
Grappling and Wrestling Activity:
While his stand-up game often steals the show, Ankalaev is a fine wrestler. His wrestling usually serves to control opponents and avoid dangerous situations. The takedown defense is decent, and he uses his wrestling when needed to set a great pace for fights.
Fight IQ What really sets Ankalaev apart from any other fighter is his great in-fight IQ: knowing when to fight forward and when to fall back, strategic from a lot of perspectives throughout fights, as he reads his opponent and can capitalize on openings. This has contributed a lot to him rising so high in the ranks in the UFC.
Personal Life of Magomed Ankalaev
Out of the Octagon, Magomed Ankalaev has always been extremely reserved and humble. He finds himself deeply rooted in Dagestani culture, often going back to how family and upbringing have influenced his path down to the UFC. This is a guy who basically doesn’t mess around with at all the trash talking toward his opponents or make pleas to the media. INSTEAD, Ankalaev keeps his mind and eyes simply set on training and performance.
He is a family man, and out of the fighting game, Ankalaev is always respectful to his family and himself. He often thanks and reflects upon life for a couple of really important things: discipline and respect.
Magomed Ankalaev Net Worth
As of 2024, Magomed Ankalaev’s net worth is estimated at $5 million. He has amassed this wealth through an excellent UFC contract and very attractive fight and sponsorship bonuses. Outside this, Ankalaev has engaged in other business deals inside Russia, where he invested in real estate. The Russian powerhouse sees his net worth sure to increase further while ascending up the rankings with an emerging profile in the UFC.
Conclusion
Magomed Ankalaev is a very talented fighter, much dedicated to his craft, and with a very bright future in the UFC. His rise to prominence has been nothing short of impressive, and with his skill, discipline, and commitment to improvement, he will be a major force in the light heavyweight division for years to come.
