By Frank Bonada
UFC 313 marked a seismic shift in the light heavyweight division as Magomed Ankalaev dethroned Alex Pereira to claim the UFC World Championship title.
While Ankalaev now sits atop the 205lb division in professional MMA, this is not the first time he has reached the summit of the sport. His journey to UFC gold was paved by early success in the amateur ranks, where he honed his skills on the world stage before transitioning to the professional circuit.
As an amateur, Ankalaev competed under the World Mixed Martial Arts Association (WMMAA), an organization that, in 2018, merged with the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) to unify the global governance of amateur MMA. In 2015, he delivered a standout four-fight campaign, including a decisive victory over current OKTAGON MMA contender Pavol Langer, to capture the WMMAA World Championship. That triumph set the stage for his ascent through the professional ranks, ultimately leading to UFC gold.
Ankalaev’s professional career has been nothing short of dominant. With a record of 21-1-1, he has built an impressive resume which includes victories over IMMAF alumni Aleksandar Rakić and former UFC title challengers Anthony Smith and Thiago Santos. Barring a last-second submission loss in his UFC debut, Ankalaev has consistently risen to the occasion, earning a reputation as the boogeyman of the UFC’s 205lb division.
However, at UFC 313, Ankalaev was booked in what was unanimously considered his toughest matchup to date. Standing in the way of his path to gold was reigning light heavyweight champion Alex “Poatan” Pereira. The former UFC middleweight champion, Pereira had consistently and methodically dismantled elite opposition since signing for the promotion in 2021. Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, and Jiří Procházka all came up short against the Brazilian kickboxing phenom, establishing him as a dominant force in both divisions.
The highly anticipated showdown in Las Vegas began with Pereira asserting his striking superiority, utilising his kickboxing prowess to pick apart his opponent from range. However, as the fight progressed, Ankalaev’s well-rounded skill set came to the forefront. Drawing on years of elite amateur and professional experience, he methodically closed the distance, engaged in clinch battles, and threatened with takedowns to disrupt Pereira’s rhythm.
With both fighters operating at the peak of their abilities, the bout was a compelling contest of styles. As the rounds wore on, Ankalaev’s strategy proved increasingly effective, limiting Pereira’s striking opportunities while mounting his own offensive pressure. When the final bell rang, the judges unanimously awarded Ankalaev the victory, crowning him the new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.
Now, a decade after his WMMAA World Championship triumph, Magomed Ankalaev has realized his dream of becoming a UFC champion. Whether a rematch with Pereira is on the horizon or a new challenger emerges, his victory stands as a testament to the IMMAF pathway’s ability to develop world-class MMA talent.
Ankalaev’s journey from amateur world champion to UFC titleholder exemplifies the effectiveness of structured development in MMA, making him an inspiration to the next generation of athletes following in his footsteps.
