Magomed Ankalaev solidified his position as the top contender in the UFC’s light heavyweight division with a unanimous decision victory over Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi. The highly anticipated bout saw Ankalaev utilize his technical striking and clinch work to outpoint Rakic over three rounds, with all three judges scoring the fight 29-28 in his favor.
The unbeaten streak continues for Magomed Ankalaev! 💪
Is the light-heavyweight title next for him after #UFC308?#InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/wo3nllK61N
— UFC_Asia (@UFC_Asia) October 28, 2024
The win extends Ankalaev’s unbeaten streak to an impressive 13 fights, dating back to his UFC debut in March 2018. While some may have hoped for a more emphatic finish, Ankalaev’s performance was characteristically measured and effective, showcasing his well-rounded skillset and fight IQ.
In the aftermath of UFC 308, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that Ankalaev’s victory has indeed earned him the next shot at light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. This announcement puts to rest any speculation about Ankalaev’s standing in the division and sets the stage for a highly anticipated championship clash.
White says “I would have to say yes” in response to whether Ankalaev earned the next shot against Alex Pereira.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) October 26, 2024
Following his win, Ankalaev wasted no time in addressing the champion directly. In his post-fight interview, he called out Pereira, saying, “Alex, stop running away from me. We should fight. That’s what everybody wants to see.”2 This bold statement underscores Ankalaev’s confidence and eagerness to challenge for the title.
“Alex, stop running away from me!”
Magomed Ankalaev calls out Alex Periera after his win at #UFC308 👊 pic.twitter.com/xc7ERXmMOL
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 26, 2024
The impending matchup between Ankalaev and Pereira promises to be an intriguing stylistic clash. Ankalaev believes he has the tools to defeat Pereira, stating, “It’s MMA, so of course I can strike with him. I can wrestle with him. I don’t really think that this is going to be that much of a hard fight for me. I think I’ve had harder fights in the division.”
With Ankalaev’s well-rounded skill set and Pereira’s devastating striking, this championship bout is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated fights in the light heavyweight division. As the MMA world eagerly awaits the official announcement of the date and venue, all eyes will be on these two elite fighters as they prepare to battle for UFC gold.
