The slow burn of UFC 313’s Magomed Ankalaev

Light heavyweight title challenger Magomed Ankalaev

Magomed Ankalaev’s rise has been incredibly deliberate.

But this weekend at UFC 313 he will get the shot that he’s always wanted. After a botched shot against Jan Blachowicz that would have seen him the champion, Ankalaev has made his way to the dance.

Ankalaev’s slow burn is finally becoming a raging fire and that fire is due to be at it’s brightest at UFC 313. The path lies through the UFC’s newest mega-star: Alex Pereira.

The building of Magomed Ankalaev

Magomed Ankalaev has been in the UFC for a long time. Joining the promotion in 2018, Ankalaev lost to Paul Craig via triangle. Then his rise began.

Marcin Prachnio was his first win with the biggest MMA promotion in the world. He returned against Klidson Abreu with a decision win. It was the next fight that saw Ankalaev get a bunch of attention. With a front kick to the face and a cross of Dalcha Lungiambula, everyone started to pay attention.

In February of 2020, he would take on Ion Cutelaba for the first time. That fight was full of controversy in only 38 seconds. You will remember that as when Cutelaba “played opossum” as he was hurt and the fight was called prematurely. A rematch was called for and all three parties wanted it.

Booked in April 2020, the fight was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The promotion tried again in August of 2020 and Cutelaba tested positive for COVID-19. Try again: nope, Cutelaba failed again two weeks later.

It was finally in October of 2020 that Ankalaev put Ion Cutelaba behind him. Ankalaev would continue to win. Nikita Krylov, Volkan Oezdemir, Thiago Santos, and Anthony Smith. The stage was set for a title shot.

Falling short and rebuilding

Magomed Ankalaev was billed to face Jan Blachowicz for the vacant title after Jiri Prochazka vacated the title. The fight saw Ankalaev fall behind for three rounds before rallying back with a good fourth round and a 10-8 fifth round to get the draw. The UFC would pass and give the title shot to Glover Teixeira and Jamahal Hill.

It seemed Ankalaev couldn’t get out of his own way. He took on Johnny Walker in October of 2023. After an illegal knee, Walker couldn’t continue and that fight was called a no contest. Here we go with rematches again. Johnny Walker and Magomed Ankalaev was rebooked. Luckily Ankalaev won.

He stepped up for the last time against Alexandar Rakic at UFC 308. He fended off another contender and it seemed that he was next in line. And he was.

Now he takes on Alex Pereira at UFC 313. He gets his long-due title shot once more. Instead of it being Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka, or Jan Blachowicz, it’s the biggest star. It’s Alex Pereira.

To become champion, Magomed Ankalaev will have to overcome his biggest challenge yet.

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