Magomed Ankalaev thinks he could figure in an all-Russian UFC title fight in 2026.
After reaching the light heavyweight mountaintop, Ankalaev must get past the first hurdle in his UFC title reign Saturday night in Las Vegas.
In the main event of UFC 320, Alex Pereira will challenge Ankalaev almost seven months after being unseated by the Dagestani at T-Mobile Arena.
The Brazilian expects to enter the cage in much better condition and well equipped to get revenge on Ankalaev. But while that means the new champ could have a stiff task ahead of him, that hasn’t stopped the 33-year-old from looking beyond the October 4 pay-per-view.
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Magomed Ankalaev lists undefeated Azamat Murzakanov as an opponent option after UFC 320
Although he has business to attend to first at UFC 320, Ankalaev did recently take time to look ahead to what could await him as champion should he record a second victory of this year over Pereira.
Speaking to Daniel Cormier on the DC Check-In, the champ assessed the current crop of contenders at 205 pounds and named Azamat Murzakanov as a potential challenger who is flying under the radar.
“You know, there’s been a little bit of a mess in the light heavyweight division going on for a little while,” Ankalaev said via a translator.
“It was the same guys fighting for the same belt. The UFC was working for Pereira a little bit.
“Now, people are forgetting about all these new names, whether it’s Carlos Ulberg or Khalil Rountree. Or, Murzakanov, right?” Ankalaev continued. “Azamat Murzakanov is also on an eight-fight winning streak and nobody mentions his name?
“There is a new champion now. There is a guy now that is not going to be selecting fights or getting fights groomed specifically for him to stay a champion.”
The No. 10-ranked contender is 15-0 as a pro, having maintained his perfect record since joining the UFC through Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021.
Ankalaev’s comments may have boosted the stakes for Murzakanov when he makes the walk at UFC 321 later this month. On the undercard of Tom Aspinall’s heavyweight title defense against Ciryl Gane, the Russian is set to face longtime contender Aleksandar Rakic.
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Carlos Ulberg sent Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira a warning ahead of UFC 320
When it comes to Ankalaev seeing multiple options for the division’s next challenger, Ulberg will likely have something to say.
The Kiwi star staked his claim for the next shot by extending his winning run to nine straight fights at UFC Perth, where Ulberg knocked out Dominick Reyes in the main event.
In the aftermath, Ulberg sent a warning to Ankalaev and Pereira ahead of their title rematch on Saturday.
“I’m coming!”
‘Black Jag’ does have a preference for who he’d like to challenge for the gold, believing he is capable of being the first to ‘take out’ Ankalaev since Paul Craig over seven years ago.