Magomed Ankalaev biography: 13 things about UFC Light Heavyweight Champion

Who is Magomed Ankalaev?

Magomed Alibulatovich Ankalaev (Магомед Алибулатович Анкалаев) is a Dagestani professional mixed martial artist born and raised in Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia. He attended Dagestan State University in Makhachkala.

Ankalaev is currently the light heavyweight champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which is based in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Here are 13 more things about him:

1. He competes in the light heavyweight division.
2. He is fighting out of Makhachkala.
3. Before joining the UFC, he competed in Oplot Challenge, Tesla Fighting Championship and World Fighting Championship Akhmat.
4. He is 6’3″ tall.
5. He holds a professional MMA record of 20 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw and 1 No Contest.
6. In December 2013, he won gold in the World MMA Association‘s World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan.
7. On January 18, 2014, he made his professional MMA debut in Kharviv, Ukraine.
8. In September 2014, he won silver in the WMMAA Championship in Minsk, Belarus.
9. In November 2015, he won gold in the Combat Sambo Cup of Dagestan and another gold in the WMMAA Championship in Prague, Czech Republic.
10. In December 2015, he won the MMA Super Cup of Russia.
11. In November 2016, he won gold in the WMMAA Championship in Macau, China.
12. On March 17, 2018, he made his UFC debut.
13. On June 2, 2024, he turned 32.

Magomed Ankalaev’s UFC career timeline

From 2018 to 2025, Magomev Ankalaev fought 15 UFC opponents. Here are the results:

2018

• On March 17, 2018, he was submitted by Paul Craig at “UFC Fight Night 127” in London, England, United Kingdom.
• On September 15, 2018, he knocked out Marcin Prachnio at “UFC Fight Night 136” in Moscow, Russia.

2019

• On February 23, 2019, he defeated Klidson Abreu via unanimous decision at “UFC Fight Night 145” in Prague.
• On November 9, 2019, he knocked out Dalcha Lungiambula at “UFC Fight Night 163” in Moscow.

2020

• On February 29, 2020, he defeated Ion Cutelaba via technical knockout at “UFC Fight Night 169” in Norfolk, Virginia, USA.
• On October 24, 2020, he knocked out Cutelaba at “UFC 254” in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

2021

• On February 27, 2021, he defeated Nikita Krylov at “UFC Vegas 20” in Enterprise, Nevada.
• On October 30, 2021, he defeated Volkan Oezdemir via unanimous decision at “UFC 267” in Abu Dhabi.

2022

• On March 12, 2022, he defeated Thiago Santos via unanimous decision at “UFC Vegas 50” in Enterprise.
• On July 30, 2022, he defeated Anthony Smith via TKO at “UFC 277” in Dallas, Texas, USA.
• On December 10, 2022, he fought Jan Blachowicz at “UFC 282” in Paradise, Nevada. It ended in a split draw.

2023

• On October 21, 2023, he fought Johnny Walker at “UFC 294” in Abu Dhabi. It was declared a No Contest due to illegal knee.

2024

• On January 13, 2024, he knocked out Walker at “UFC Vegas 84” in Enterprise.
• On October 26, 2024, he defeated Aleksandar Rakic via unanimous decision at “UFC 308” in Abu Dhabi.

2025

• On March 8, 2025, he became the new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion by dethroning Alex Pereira via unanimous decision “UFC 313” in Paradise.