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Magomed Ankalaev

Magomed Ankalaev is a Russian mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC’s light heavyweight division.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Magomed Ankalaev is a Russian mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. Born on 2 June 1992 in Dagestan, Russia, he is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and has also held a World Fighting Championship Akhmat light heavyweight title.

Early life and background

Ankalaev was born on 2 June 1992 in Teletl, Dagestan, Russia, and is of Avar ethnicity. Sources describe him as having competed successfully in amateur MMA before turning professional.

Professional MMA career

He began his professional career in 2014 and competed in Russian regional promotions before joining the UFC. His UFC and other profile pages identify him as a light heavyweight competitor.

Championships and rankings

Ankalaev has held the UFC light heavyweight title and previously held the WFCA light heavyweight title. As of 2026, multiple sources place him near or at the top of UFC light heavyweight rankings.

Record and notable fights

Available sources list his professional record as 21-2-1 with 1 no contest on UFC Stats, while other listings show slight differences depending on update timing. He won the UFC light heavyweight title by unanimous decision over Alex Pereira at UFC 313.

Key facts

  • Magomed Ankalaev is a Russian mixed martial artist in the UFC light heavyweight division.
  • He became the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion after defeating Alex Pereira at UFC 313 on 8 March 2025.
  • His professional record is 21 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw, and 1 no contest according to UFC Stats.
  • He previously held the WFCA light heavyweight title before joining the UFC.
  • Ankalaev is known for his strong striking game and amateur combat sports background.
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Canadian context

Magomed Ankalaev has relevance for Canadian MMA audiences as a UFC champion and top-ranked light heavyweight whose fights are followed on Canadian sports coverage and UFC broadcasts.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Magomed Ankalaev?
Magomed Ankalaev is a Russian professional mixed martial artist who fights in the UFC light heavyweight division and has held the UFC light heavyweight championship.
How old is Magomed Ankalaev?
He was born on 2 June 1992, which makes him 34 years old as of 23 July 2026.
What is Magomed Ankalaev's record?
UFC Stats lists his record as 21 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw, and 1 no contest. Some other profiles show slightly older totals because they were updated earlier.
Who did Magomed Ankalaev lose to?
The provided sources do not clearly name all opponents for both of his losses in a single verified summary, but they confirm that he has two professional losses.
Is Magomed Ankalaev a champion?
Yes. UFC sources identify him as the UFC light heavyweight champion after his win over Alex Pereira at UFC 313 on 8 March 2025.
What weight class is Magomed Ankalaev?
He competes in the light heavyweight division, which is typically 205 lb (93 kg) in the UFC.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magomed_Ankalaev
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, amateur background, professional debut year, and career overview.
  2. UFC — https://www.ufc.com/athlete/magomed-ankalaev
    Supports: Division, UFC title status, UFC 313 win over Alex Pereira, and career notes.
  3. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/4273399/magomed-ankalaev
    Supports: Age, nationality, weight class, and MMA profile.
  4. UFC Stats — http://ufcstats.com/fighter-details/d802174b0c0c1f4e
    Supports: Official record and date of birth.
  5. Wikipedia (Spanish) — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magomed_Ankalaev
    Supports: Former UFC light heavyweight champion status and ranking mention.
  6. Tapology — https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/83405-magomed-ankalaev
    Supports: Weight class, age, and earlier record snapshot.
  7. MMA Fighters — https://www.mmafighters.co.uk/fighters/magomed-ankalaev/
    Supports: Biography, birth date, and championship status.