Magomed Ankalaev
Active 2018–present · rated in 3 editions · peak overall 90.0
Scouting report
Southpaw counters, front kicks, and takedown defense allowed Magomed Ankalaev to construct a twelve-fight unbeaten streak. Hailing from Makhachkala, Dagestan, Ankalaev controls distance with Master of Sport Sambo fundamentals, his skillset anchored by a 92 Wrestling, 92 Fight IQ, and 90 Overall rating.
Peak ratings
By edition
Ankalaev put together a winning streak between 2019 and 2022, knocking out Ion Cutelaba twice in Norfolk and Abu Dhabi, outpointing Nikita Krylov in Las Vegas, and defeating Volkan Oezdemir at UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi with clean counter-striking. His Dagestani Master of Sport Combat Sambo grappling, precision left hand, and defense are reflected in an 88 Boxing and 90 Wrestling.
Ankalaev defeated Thiago Santos and Anthony Smith, fought Jan Blachowicz to a split draw for the vacant title at UFC 282 in Las Vegas, and knocked out Johnny Walker in round two at UFC Fight Night 234 in Las Vegas before defeating Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi. His southpaw boxing, low kicks, and wrestling control justify his 90 Boxing and 92 Wrestling.
Magomed Ankalaev, the champion who waited a long time
Magomed Ankalaev came out of Dagestan with a sambo and combat sport background, and he spent years around the top of the light heavyweight division before he won the belt. His draw with Jan Blachowicz and his decision win over Alex Pereira are two of the results that define him. He is a pick for a steady, physical fighter.
Ankalaev, rating by rating
Boxing. Efficient. He uses a stiff jab and a straight right to control distance.
Kickboxing. Strong. Kicks to the legs and body keep opponents from getting comfortable.
Wrestling. The best on his card. His sambo and Dagestani base gives him a strong clinch and good takedown defense.
BJJ. Good, though he tends to hold top position rather than hunt for finishes.
Strength. Big and strong at 205, and it shows in the clinch.
Durability. Sturdy. He has taken hard shots from heavy strikers and continued.
Cardio. Very good. He is prepared for a full five rounds.
Fight IQ. Careful and disciplined, though sometimes criticised for measured starts.
Wrestling keeps the fight on his terms
He is comfortable at long range and in the clinch, and wrestling gives him the option to change the setting. Against a pure striker, he can walk them to the fence and grind. It makes him a stable, low-risk addition to a team.
The least dangerous tool: BJJ
His submission game is good but not a headline. A fight that stays on the ground with a high-level grappler brings out his weakest category. It should rarely matter, because his wrestling tends to keep him on top.
Keep exploring
Closest light heavyweight profiles to Magomed Ankalaev, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Jan Blachowiczbest boxing 90 · weakest bjj 85
- Alexander Gustafssonbest boxing 90 · weakest bjj 78
- Aleksandar Rakicbest strength 89 · weakest bjj 78
- Rashad Evansbest wrestling 90 · weakest bjj 80
- Light Heavyweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Magomed Ankalaev's strongest attribute, Wrestling.
Draft Magomed Ankalaev into your build
Magomed Ankalaev enters the pool on any spin landing on light heavyweight between 2020 and present. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Magomed Ankalaev is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Magomed Ankalaev's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.