Just days out from his first light heavyweight title defense, Magomed Ankalaev has teased a potential move in weight class.
This coming Saturday, the premier promotion returns to Las Vegas for UFC 320, headlined by a light heavyweight title fight between Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira.
Although there seemed to be a mutual respect amongst both fighters heading into their rematch, anticipation has been building after the two nearly clashed in a meeting at the UFC Performance Institute earlier this week.
And having put on a disappointing performance in their first fight earlier this year, Pereira is confident of changing the outcome this time around, and already has his next opponent in mind for when he reclaims the title.
Ankalaev teases potential move in weight classes following UFC 320
Ahead of his first title defense, Ankalaev has been widely criticized by several analysts in the sport for his personality along with his fight style.
Earlier this year, UFC broadcast member Din Thomas claimed that the promotion should attempt to trade the Russian to the PFL, in exchange for Dakota Ditcheva.
Not only that, but former heavyweight contender Brendan Schaub also claimed that Ankalaev is ‘hurting the UFC’ as opposed to benefitting them.
However, the 33-year-old is looking to improve his star power, and if he once again beats ‘Poatan’, he is considering a move in weight classes to continue adding to his legacy.
“Yes, (heavyweight) is definitely in my future plans,” Ankalaev told New York Post Sports.
“The weight is going up easy, I get to 110kgs (242lbs) quickly, maybe after a couple more fights, I’ll definitely move up.”
Ankalaev has somewhat of a good relationship with the current heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall, and he backed the Brit during his long saga with Jon Jones.
- READ MORE: Fans slam Tom Aspinall for ‘horrible take’ about Alex Pereira days out from Magomed Ankalaev rematch
Ankalaev and Pereira have both highlighted the likely next contender
When Pereira reigned over the light heavyweight division, a move up to heavyweight seemed inevitable for him and he talked about it several times.
However, despite both he and Ankalaev having teased future moves up in weight, they have both highlighted Carlos Ulberg as the likely next title challenger.
‘Black Jag’ is riding an impressive nine fight win streak and knocked Dominick Reyes out just last Saturday at UFC Perth.