UFC Light Heavyweight kingpin Magomed Ankalaev has lofty goals.
First and foremost, the Russian champion has to deal with rival Alex Pereira in their rematch atop the upcoming UFC 320 pay-per-view (PPV) event, scheduled for Sat., Oct. 4, 2025 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The two first faced off earlier this year at UFC 313, and Ankalaev was able to capture the crown in a competitive decision.
A second victory over Pereira would extend Ankalaev’s unbeaten streak to 15. Though it would only be his first defense, Ankalaev has already faced off with many of the division’s contenders in his extended rise through the ranks. Given the circumstance, perhaps it’s appropriate that “Big Ank” is already considering a Heavyweight move.
“A heavy weight? These thoughts keep coming to me,” He told Ushatayka. “I think a couple or three more fights. I think, two fights, and then I will think of moving to the heavy division.”
Realistically, there aren’t that many high-profile challenges remaining at 205-pounds for Ankalaev. The Jiri Prochazka vs. Khalil Rountree victor will make for a worthy foe, and then there’s a chance Khamzat Chimaev lives up to his word and makes the jump to Light Heavyweight. Otherwise, the division is none too interesting, and Ankalaev would be an immediate player among the big boys at Heavyweight.
We’ve certainly seen other 205-pounders make the leap with good success. Could Ankalaev become the next two-division champion? He’ll have to deal with “Poatan” first, but there’s a reasonable chance we see him challenging the likes of Tom Aspinall sooner than later.
