Magomed Ankalaev reflects on Pereira knockout loss ahead of UFC Abu Dhabi return

Magomed Ankalaev described his knockout loss to Alex Pereira as the worst day of his life.

The former UFC heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight champion returns to the cage Saturday against Bogdan Guskov at UFC Abu Dhabi, his first fight since Pereira stopped him in 80 seconds at UFC 320 this past August. Speaking through a Russian translator, Ankalaev told MMA Fighting the defeat wiped out a 14-fight unbeaten run and cost him the belt he had won from Pereira just five months earlier at UFC 313.

Ankalaev took a month to recover before returning to training

Ankalaev allowed himself time to process the result before heading back to the gym. He said he was down on himself for about a month and could not get himself to train, but eventually regrouped. "It must have been about a month that I was down on myself, kind of, and I couldn't get myself to go back to the gym and stuff like that," he said, per MMA Fighting. "But then I got myself together and I got back into the gym, and I think I'm in the best shape that I've been, ever."

The loss was only the second of Ankalaev's career. The first came against Paul Craig, and Ankalaev rattled off 14 unbeaten bouts after that setback. He expects a similar rebound now, calling the Pereira knockout the right loss at the right time to reset his approach.

Guskov stepped in on short notice after Khalil Rountree Jr. pulled out with an injury. Guskov was scheduled to rematch Jan Blachowicz a week later at UFC Belgrade after fighting the former champion to a majority draw at UFC 323 in December. Ankalaev said he was grateful Guskov accepted the fight and praised him for stepping up. The card takes place Saturday in Abu Dhabi.

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• MMA Fighting — Magomed Anakalev: Alex Pereira title loss ‘must have been the worst day of my life’