It might be time for Magomed Ankalaev to make a huge call after UFC 320.
Not many UFC champions lose their title and arrive at the kind of crossroads Ankalaev has.
The Dagestani cut a brashly confident figure who was willing to engage in a heightened level of trash talk in the lead-up to his rematch against Alex Pereira. Given that the first fight was by no means dominant, as well as reports of a less than ideal preparation for ‘Poatan’, that always seemed like a risk.
Egg was left on the face of the defending champ when Pereira finished Ankalaev at UFC 320 in just 80 seconds.
In Las Vegas, one man got his revenge and has already set his sights on Jon Jones and the potential to make history up at heavyweight.
The other? He will soon be back to where he was for years: winning fights and complaining about the UFC dismissing his claim.
Unless…
Magomed Ankalaev’s PFL trade — a stupid idea that is not so stupid
Din Thomas is a great analyst, and his presence on UFC broadcasts breaking down the action is always valuable. He’s also no stranger to some interesting opinions, chief among them being his proposal for the UFC to trade Ankalaev to the PFL in return for Dakota Ditcheva.
The initial comments came before the Russian won the title this past March, but he also “tripled down” ahead of UFC 320. To suggest the promotion should look to move on a reigning champion riding a 14-fight unbeaten run was ludicrous.
Now? Not so much.
The trade itself remains far-fetched. Ditcheva is already a star and arguably a top-five fighter in women’s MMA right now. She just agreed a new deal with the PFL, and it is far more likely she fights that out before exploring a UFC move with an even bigger undefeated record in a few years’ time than it is the PFL letting her go.
When it comes to just Ankalaev and the PFL, however, there is something to ponder.
By merit, Ankalaev’s shot at Pereira this year was long overdue. By merit, Ankalaev remains one of the top light heavyweights in the sport. By merit, Ankalaev should only be one win over a highly ranked contender away from his own chance to regain the title.
But the UFC and meritocracy rarely go hand in hand.
Things feel rather predictable for the Dagestani moving forward in the UFC. Next, he’ll face and likely beat a notable name. Perhaps Khalil Rountree Jr., who has his own setback to bounce back from. Or maybe it will be the winner of Aleksandar Rakic’s upcoming showdown with the fast-rising Azamat Murzakanov.
After that? Well, it’s hard to see the UFC ever putting Ankalaev back opposite Pereira if he remains on the throne, and it’s really not difficult to envision the promotion doing what they can to keep the Russian away from the belt altogether.
Ankalaev should take matters into his own hands and ensure his trophy cabinet does not stop at a lackluster UFC reign that is up there with Sean Strickland and Julianna Pena’s in length — and that ended in a fashion up there with Jose Aldo’s 13-second loss to Conor McGregor and (sorry, Pena) ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’s’ lopsided beatdown against Amanda Nunes in terms of humiliation.
There is a limited appetite for Magomed Ankalaev to fight for UFC gold
Many smart fans will still be thinking it is madness to suggest a recent champion in their prime should look to leave. But if you are someone who believes Ankalaev will be competing for gold again soon, I present to you some reactions from the MMA masses online.
“Nobody on this planet wants to see a trilogy.”
“I actually like Ankalaev but getting a title shot after getting smoked in round 1 is crazy.”
“Let’s call a spade a spade, Ankalaev’s defeat feels good, and he’ll never again catch a whiff of a title shot, especially after his performance tonight.”
“One thing I accept as an Ankalaev fan is that he feared (Pereira) and that’s so embarrassing. You won’t ever get a title shot with that attitude.”
“Why should Ankalaev get a trilogy when he never defended his belt? Ank had another chance to win the belt against Jan (Blachowicz) and blew that…UFC only gave him another title shot when they had absolutely no other choice…He’s not getting another title shot for a long while.”
“Ankalaev will never fight for a title ever again. The UFC does not want him as champ ever again.”
“The UFC will never let Ankalaev near a title shot ever again.”
“So for all intents and purposes, can we all just act like that Ankalaev title (reign) never happened?”
Sure, that is a small sample size. But if history has taught us anything about the fanbase, those opinions aren’t isolated to a limited group.
Whether you or I agree with the sentiment, it’s clear that the appetite for Ankalaev in UFC title fights simply is not there.
And what do we know about Dana White, the matchmakers, and the UFC as a whole? They won’t do something there is little to no interest in unless it involves a fighter they favor — lest we forget the farce that was Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic while ready and waiting interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall was made to sit on the sidelines.
PFL is changing for the better, and Magomed Ankalaev could benefit
The appeal of the PFL for fighters like Shane Burgos, who opted not to re-sign with the UFC, and others who entered free agency has long been financial. The prospect of winning $1 million in the unique season formats certainly did the trick.
After years of that failed experiment, the seasons are no more. The PFL is introducing a traditional format, rolling out proper divisional titles.
The inaugural light heavyweight belt was handed out just this past Friday, with ex-UFC contender Corey Anderson collecting it with a victory over Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov on the undercard of Usman Nurmagomedov’s rematch with Paul Hughes.
A title fight between Ankalaev and Anderson would be more anticipated than the kind of clash of contenders that awaits the Russian in the UFC, more lucrative, and would likely come in front of an adoring crowd in the Middle East.
Sure, the PFL does not exactly have a deep 205-pound division. The World Tournament is set to produce a challenger each year, though, and the roster contains some other notable names from their UFC and Bellator days, meaning there would be enough to keep Ankalaev ticking over. A lengthy title reign would also not be out of the question.
Yes, many would point to the promotional banner as a means to take away from the accomplishment, but the likes of Patchy Mix and Patricio Pitbull were held in extremely high regard owing to their success away from the UFC.
UFC 320 has not changed anything about how Ankalaev’s ability should be perceived. He is still, skill-for-skill, in the conversation as the division’s very best.
But if he wants to reap the rewards of his talent, he should make his exit.