Magomed Ankalaev explains quiet fight week ahead of UFC Abu Dhabi

Magomed Ankalaev has been unusually quiet during UFC Abu Dhabi fight week.

The former heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight champion meets Bogdan Guskov this Saturday in his first bout since dropping the title to Alex Pereira. According to MMA Mania, Ankalaev addressed the contrast between his reserved media appearances and the combative "Big Ank" persona that floods his social media — a character many believe is actually run by his manager Ali Abdelaziz.

Ankalaev on his reserved fight week approach

"I'm a professional fighter, I like to keep my emotions inside," Ankalaev said during this week's media day, per MMA Mania. "And if there's no crossing of a specific line, then I come out here and I come out as a professional. But if somebody crosses that line or kind of toes the line, then I'm sure I can show my character as well."

The Dagestani fighter also responded to Pereira's recent jab about whether Ankalaev was "even still alive" after proposing a heavyweight trilogy. Pereira himself is coming off a knockout loss to Ciryl Gane. Ankalaev said the title defeat ended a 14-fight unbeaten run but gave him motivation to prove he belongs at the top of the division.

Guskov enters off four straight UFC finishes. UFC Abu Dhabi airs Saturday, July 25, with prelims at 9 a.m. ET and the main card at noon ET.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Where’s ‘Big Ank?’ Magomed Ankalaev explains why he isn’t talking trash during UFC Abu Dhabi fight week