Sports · Combat Sports · 1 hr ago
Magomed Ankalaev considers heavyweight move after struggle to find fight
Magomed Ankalaev is considering moving to heavyweight because he says he cannot find an opponent at light heavyweight.
The Russian fighter is ranked No.
2 at 205 pounds, behind Alex Pereira, who has moved up to heavyweight.
Ankalaev returned in July and knocked out Bogdan Guskov after losing his title rematch with Pereira.
He says Khalil Rountree is not ready, Dominick Reyes is injured, and Paulo Costa wants $10 million.
He has invited heavyweight fighters to face him in January, but no opponent or fight has been confirmed.
A move would put Ankalaev in a different division as he looks to stay active, and could eventually open the way to another fight with Pereira.
Magomed Ankalaev is considering moving to heavyweight after struggling to find an opponent at light heavyweight.
The former UFC light heavyweight champion said fighters he approached had reasons not to take a fight.
He named Khalil Rountree Jr. as not ready, Dominick Reyes as injured after a recent fight, and Paulo Costa as seeking $10 million.
Ankalaev asked whether a heavyweight contender would fight him in January.
He last fought in July, knocking out Bogdan Guskov.
- Who
- Magomed Ankalaev, a former UFC light heavyweight champion.
- What
- He is considering moving to heavyweight because he has struggled to find an opponent at light heavyweight.
- When
- He suggested a heavyweight fight in January. The article was published on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- The UFC light heavyweight division; Ankalaev is considering competing at heavyweight.
- Why
- He says he has been unable to secure a fight with top light heavyweight contenders.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ankalaev was knocked out by Alex Pereira in their immediate rematch.
Ankalaev returned and knocked out Bogdan Guskov.
Bloody Elbow reported Ankalaev’s comments about seeking a heavyweight fight in January.
- Light heavyweight ranking
- No. 2 in the Meta UFC rankings
- Last fight
- Knocked out Bogdan Guskov in July
- Possible heavyweight fight
- Ankalaev proposed January
- Alex Pereira series
- Ankalaev and Pereira split their light heavyweight series 1-1
- Potential opponents cited
- Khalil Rountree Jr., Dominick Reyes and Paulo Costa
1 source
What people are saying
Looks like nobody in the top five at light heavyweight wants to fight
Everybody’s got a reason. Khalil Rountree (is) not ready, Reyes just fought and is injured. Costa wants $10 million.
So what about heavyweight? Anybody ready to fight? Let’s do it in January
Posts on X
Looks like nobody in the top five at light heavyweight wants to fight. Everybody’s got a reason. Khalil Rountree not ready Reyes just fought and is injured. Costa wants $10 million. So what about heavyweight? Anybody ready to fight? Let’s do it in January.