Hoping to land himself one more fight this year, Magomed Ankalaev may have just earned himself another outing in the UAE.
Winning the undisputed light heavyweight crown back in March, Russian star Ankalaev would bring an end to one of the division’s most dominant forces.
Finally locking horns with former two-weight best, Alex Pereira, in their UFC 313 main event, Ankalaev upset the apple cart.
Winning the crown in a controversial decision, Ankalaev vowed to grant the Brazilian an immediate rematch.
But in the time since, Ankalaev has flip-flopped on the pairing. To boot, he’s now claimed the Brazilian is trying to force back their targeted re-run.
Magomed Ankalaev expected to feature at UFC 321 in October
Making the Octagon walk on four separate occasions in Abu Dhabi, Ankalaev has been a mainstay on the promotion’s annual flagship return to the United Arab Emirates, especially in recent years.
And this evening, the promotion announced UFC 321 is officially on deck for Abu Dhabi — with the Etihad Arena playing host to another big card in the desert.
“Abu Dhabi, we’re coming!” UFC posted on their official X account. “We’ll see YOU for #UFC321 on October 25.”
But whether his return actually comes against knockout phenom, Pereira, is another question entirely.
Open to fighting the Brazilian in an immediate rematch, Ankalaev has a host of other suitors potentially waiting for him to put his throne up for grabs.
Notably, on Saturday, the Russian claimed Pereira was hoping to fight during Ramadan next year, something he has no interest in doing again.
Magomed Ankalaev weighs up alternative to fierce rival Alex Pereira
Already brushing off potential fights with both Jiri Prochazka and recent UFC Baku winner, Khalil Rountree, Ankalaev has his pick of the bunch at 205lbs, it seems.
Expected to fight Pereira next, particularly if he finds himself booked for October, Ankalaev has made contingency plans if that doesn’t happen, however.
Namely, he’s already sounded out the surging Kiwi striker, Carlos Ulberg — offering him a chance to compete for gold for the first time.
“Alex (Pereira) now asking he wants to fight me during Ramadan again,” Ankalaev posted on X. “I need more time.
“And the other clown (Prochazka) he (sic) have to do his homework.
“Let me fight Carlos (Ulberg). I think he’s more dangerous than all of them,” Ankalaev wrote.
Unbeaten in his last eight, ‘Black Jag’ most recently turned in a career-best decision win over former champion, Jan Blachowicz, as recent as UFC London this year.