UFC 320 was a worst-case scenario for Magomed Ankalaev.
After defeating Alex Pereira in a competitive decision back in March, the rematch was a one-sided thrashing. In less than two minutes, “Poatan” was able to walk down Ankalaev, knock him out, and leave as champion once again (watch highlights). Given Pereira’s dominance and the high-profile opponents available for him, an immediate trilogy is definitely not happening.
Ankalaev has offered little in defense of his UFC 320 performance, but his team claims the Russian was “severely compromised” heading into his first title defense. Shortly afterward, a leaked video revealed that Ankalaev was dealing with broken ribs just three weeks prior to UFC 320. Fans have widely dismissed this explanation as an excuse and/or sour grapes, but Ankalaev has found an unlikely defender in fellow Light Heavyweight contender Jiri Prochazka.
“BJP” doesn’t particularly like Ankalaev after all the social media trash talk, but he’s still defending the former champion. Per Prochazka, Ankalaev wasn’t training much at the UFC Performance Institute (PI) prior to UFC 320, and he didn’t show up at all on fight night.
”I didn’t see him training much in UFC PI,” Prochazka told MMA Fighting (via Home of Fight). “I saw in the fight he was [holding] himself back, back, back, back, little step back, little step back. Then I thought, man, he’s not not right. Something’s wrong, like, he’s so careful. Not like last time – he’s going forward, up and down, changing levels, self-confident. He was totally different person, yeah.”
Unfortunately for Ankalaev, the result still counts regardless of circumstance. With Pereira shelved until 2026 and likely to fight at Heavyweight next, the division is wide open. If there’s a vacant/interim title fight in the mean time, Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg are the most likely names. Injuries or not, “Big Ank” will have to get back in the win column ASAP if he’s to return to the title mix and even have a chance at a trilogy match
