I am back who you guys wanna see me fight next \ud83d\ude0f<\/p>\n
\u2014 Muhammad big ANK Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) January 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI am back who you guys wanna see me fight next\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE: UFC star makes surprise jump to new division & fights undefeated KO artist at UFC 327<\/a><\/p>\n After signing with the UFC as an undefeated talent, Ankalaev famously lost his promotional debut to Paul Craig via triangle choke in the very last second of their fight in 2018. That setback preceded a lengthy unbeaten run that saw Ankalaev meet Jan Blachowicz in a vacant light heavyweight title fight at UFC 282, where the two men fought to a split draw. <\/p>\n Who Will Get The UFC’s Next Light Heavyweight Title Shot?<\/p>\n It seems unlikely that Ankalaev will get an immediate trilogy fight with Pereira given how quickly their rematch ended, but the 33-year-old remains squarely in the mix for a title shot in a division that currently has several sizeable question marks surrounding it. <\/p>\n READ MORE: UFC 324 takes brutal hit as injury scraps title fight the week before Paramount debut<\/a><\/p>\n Also a former UFC middleweight titleholder, Pereira had already teased the idea of pursuing a third belt in the heavyweight division during his first reign with the light heavyweight strap. The Brazilian has issued multiple call outs to currently-retired UFC legend Jon Jones<\/a> for a potential heavyweight clash at The White House<\/a>, but more recently Pereira indicated that fighting at that event may be off the table for him. <\/p>\n Magomed Ankalaev (red gloves) fights Alex Pereira (blue gloves) during UFC 320 at T-Mobile Arena. | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Former titleholder Proch\u00e1zka has already lost to Pereira twice but is currently on a two-fight win streak after stopping Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr. The 33-year-old recently clarified a rumor that he was set to fight #3-ranked Carlos Ulberg<\/a>, and if that fight doesn\u2019t come together then either man could potentially meet Ankalaev in what would be a fairly clear number one contender fight.<\/p>\n More MMA Knockout News<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC legend shares message of support for Xabi Alonso after shocking Real Madrid exit<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC fan favorite set to try and end losing streak in dangerous UFC Mexico fight<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC fans cry mismatch on reported next fight for undefeated KO machine<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Khamzat Chimaev calls out “scared” Alex Pereira for UFC White House fight<\/a><\/p>\n Stick with\u00a0MMAKnockout<\/a>\u00a0for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.<\/p>\n Follow MMAKnockout on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>, and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Magomed](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/01kf46qrke7f3wgantsm.jpg\" "\\"Magomed")
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