Magomed Ankalaev reveals health issues before Pereira loss

Former UFC heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev fought Alex Pereira at UFC 320 last October against his corner's wishes.

Ankalaev told MMA Junkie this week that he was dealing with unspecified health issues in the leadup to the rematch and that his team, including manager Ali Abdelaziz, urged him to pull out. The Russian ignored the advice and paid for it when Pereira knocked him out in 80 seconds to reclaim the 205-pound strap. "I had some specific health issues at the time, and I was advised by many not to even go out, to pull out of the fight, that they were gonna move it to a later date," Ankalaev said. "I decided that I was well enough to go on; I decided not to listen to anybody. I made a mistake, and sometimes you have to pay for your mistake."

Ankalaev's road back to the title

The loss snapped Ankalaev's unbeaten run that included a dominant decision win over Pereira at UFC 313 in March 2025, when he first captured the belt. Now 20-2, Ankalaev returns Saturday at UFC Abu Dhabi against short-notice replacement Bogdan Guskov after original opponent Khalil Rountree withdrew with an injury.

Ankalaev declined to elaborate on the nature of the health problems or why he felt compelled to fight through them. He added that the memory still stings and he would rather not revisit the decision. The bout marked Pereira's quickest finish since moving up to heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight and restored him as champion after a seven-month gap.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Magomed Ankalaev admits to dealing with health issues in Alex Pereira rematch