Magomed Ankalaev, the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion, is gearing up for his highly anticipated title defense rematch against Alex Pereira at UFC 320. Despite an otherwise dominant career, Ankalaev recently revealed that his sole professional defeat, a shocking submission in his UFC debut, stands as what he considers “the worst loss in history” because he admits to having “given up” in the final moments.
The upcoming clash with Pereira marks Ankalaev`s first title defense since capturing the belt earlier this year at UFC 313. In that initial encounter, the Dagestani fighter surprised many by decisively out-striking the formidable Brazilian over five rounds, showcasing his near-flawless fighting style.
The Only Loss That Changed His Life
Ankalaev`s only career blemish occurred back in 2018 during his first UFC appearance against Paul Craig. After controlling the Scottish opponent for the vast majority of the bout, Ankalaev was caught in a submission just one second before the final bell, an outcome that profoundly impacted him.
Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Ankalaev shared his perspective in a UFC interview:
“I used to be worried about losing and what people say about me, but that doesn`t happen anymore. You could say I suffered the worst loss in UFC history—I literally gave up in the very final seconds of a fight. While it was initially difficult, and I avoided public appearances for a month, that loss ultimately changed my life. I realized it wasn`t because of me; I had done everything I could, and it was the will of the Almighty.”
Future Plans After UFC 320
Looking beyond UFC 320, Ankalaev has hinted at a potential move to a higher weight class, expressing ambitions to become a two-division champion. However, these aspirations are contingent on him successfully defending his title against Pereira and subsequently against other top contenders like Carlos Ulberg, who recently secured an impressive victory at UFC Perth.
