Magomed Ankalaev believes there’s an all-Russian UFC title fight on the horizon — but first, he must defend his belt against Alex Pereira at UFC 320 in Las Vegas.
Ankalaev dethroned Pereira seven months ago and now faces him again in Saturday’s main event at T-Mobile Arena. While focused on retaining his title, the Dagestani champion has already started considering potential challengers for 2026 — including one name he feels is being unfairly ignored.
Speaking to Daniel Cormier on DC Check-In, Ankalaev highlighted undefeated contender Azamat Murzakanov as a dark horse in the light heavyweight division.
“You know, there’s been a little bit of a mess in the light heavyweight division for a while,” Ankalaev said through a translator. “It’s been the same guys fighting for the same belt. People are forgetting about all these new names — Carlos Ulberg, Khalil Rountree, and Murzakanov. Azamat Murzakanov is on an eight-fight winning streak, and nobody mentions his name?”
Ankalaev, who accused the UFC of “working for Pereira a little bit” in recent matchmaking, added that his reign will bring fresh faces into contention. “There’s a new champion now — a guy that’s not going to be handpicking fights or getting them set up just to keep the belt.”
Murzakanov, 15-0 as a professional, joined the UFC via Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021 and has since climbed to No. 10 in the rankings. He’ll have the chance to strengthen his case later this month at UFC 321, where he faces former top contender Aleksandar Rakic.
Meanwhile, Carlos Ulberg — another fighter mentioned by Ankalaev — has made his own statement in the title picture. The New Zealander extended his winning streak to nine with a knockout of Dominick Reyes at UFC Perth and immediately called out the division’s elite.
“I’m coming!” Ulberg declared post-fight, adding that he would prefer to challenge Ankalaev and become the first man to defeat him since Paul Craig in 2018.
Whether it’s Murzakanov, Ulberg, or another rising contender, Ankalaev’s reign promises a shake-up in a division long dominated by familiar names.
