Magomed Ankalaev has steadily established himself as one of the most dominant forces in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. Hailing from Dagestan, Russia, Ankalaev brings a well-rounded skill set to the Octagon, blending elite striking with strong grappling owing to wrestling and sambo background. His composure, precision, and relentless approach make him a nightmare for opponents.

Whether it’s out-striking his opponents on the feet or neutralizing them with grappling, he consistently finds ways to impose his will. But there is a single loss blotting the Dagestani fighter’s record red. Let’s take a look and see how Ankalaev lost his bout and against whom.

Magomed Ankalaev’s only MMA loss: Who defeated him?

Even the best have moments they wish they could take back. For Ankalaev, that moment came in his UFC debut against Scotland’s Paul Craig on March 17, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 127. In a fight he was seconds away from winning, Ankalaev suffered a shocking submission loss that remains the only blemish on his otherwise stellar record.

Needless to say, it was an utterly disappointing outcome for Ankalaev. Had he endured the pain for one more second, he would have achieved a victory via decision. 

Talking about the loss, he once revealed, “That loss changed my life. It was hard for me at first. I didn’t come out in public for a month. My mother lives in Khasavyurt with my brother. I spent a month there. I thought I wouldn’t fight anymore. Then within that month, I realized that it wasn’t because of me. I did everything I could. It was the will of the Almighty. It was a relief. I started to understand the situation then I went back to training. I came in [to] the gym and put in work. I left it all in the gym and got my results.”

For many fighters, a defeat like that—after an undefeated run—messes with their head, but Ankalaev just used it as fuel for future dominance. He rebounded with an impressive 13-fight (12 Wins, 1 Draw) winning streak, refining his game and proving that the loss was nothing more than a stepping stone in the unpredictable nature of MMA.

Thereafter, Ankalaev has gone on an undefeated spree and is currently on a 13-fight winning spree, with his last win coming against Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308. However, there was one other fight that had garnered quite a bit of attention which was neither a win nor a loss.

What happened when Magomed Ankalaev faced Jan Blachowicz?

The light heavyweight clash between Jan Błachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 282 on December 10, 2022, was a high-stakes battle that promised fireworks. Originally, the fight was set to be a contender matchup, but when the then-champion Jiří Procházka vacated the title due to injury, it was elevated to a championship bout for the vacant UFC light heavyweight belt. 

For Magomed Ankalaev, UFC 282 marked his first shot at championship gold. However, after a grueling five-round war against Jan Błachowicz, the fight ended in a frustrating draw, leaving the light heavyweight title still up for grabs. The judges’ scorecards reflected just how razor-close the battle was. Mike Bell scored the contest 48-47 in favor of Błachowicz, while Derek Cleary saw it 48-46 for Ankalaev. The deciding factor came from Sal D’Amato, who scored the bout 47-47, ultimately leading to a split draw. It was a disappointing outcome for both fighters, especially Ankalaev, who believed he had done enough to win.

Ankalaev, after the fight, had said, “I don’t know what to say. I won that fight. Why didn’t I get my belt? I don’t know what to say.” 

Ankalaev is now set to fight Alex Pereira at UFC 313. If he wins his next bout, the fighting community and their doubts surrounding the Brazilian’s ground game will be answered. He is now on a 13-fight winning streak and would go on to a 14-fight winning streak if he wins his next one. Let us find out about his UFC career.

Magomed Ankalaev’s UFC stats and record

Magomed Ankalaev, hailing from Dagestan, Russia, has firmly established himself as a formidable presence in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. As of March 8, 2025, his professional record stands at 20 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw.

Ankalaev’s journey in the UFC exemplifies resilience, skill, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence, marking him as a standout contender in the light heavyweight division. Who do you think will win between the two at UFC 313? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.