Magomed Ankalaev: Losing the Title to Alex Pereira Was the Worst Day of My Life

Pulse Sports Team 19:06 - 23 July 2026

Magomed Ankalaev is poised for brighter days after enduring one of the darkest periods of his career.

The former UFC Light Heavyweight champion is set to make his first octagon appearance of 2026, facing Bogdan Guskov, who stepped in on short notice. The bout will headline the UFC Abu Dhabi fight night this Saturday. This marks Ankalaev's first fight since losing his title to Alex Pereira via an 80-second knockout in their rematch at UFC 320 last August.

Ahead of his return, Ankalaev reflected on the loss to "Poatan."

"I can say that it must have been the worst day of my life," Ankalaev told MMA Fighting through a Russian translator. "I lost the fight, I lost the belt, and it was really hard for me to come back. But time has passed, the work is done, and I'm returning as a different person."

"I think this time, people will see a completely different fighter."

The loss was only Ankalaev's second career defeat, snapping an incredible 14-fight unbeaten streak that included a championship victory over Pereira at UFC 313 in March 2025.

Ankalaev allowed himself to mourn the outcome against Pereira for a few weeks but then realized he needed to get back to the gym with the hope of tasting victory again.

"It didn't take too long," Ankalaev said. "For about a month, I was disappointed in myself and couldn't bring myself to go back to the gym and things like that. But then I pulled myself together, got back in the gym, and I think I'm in the best shape I've ever been. The best shape of my life."

"It was definitely the right time to suffer that loss. As you remember, my first UFC loss was also terrible, but I came back and dominated for so long. So I think we'll see that again. I needed that loss to bring me back down to earth and then start climbing back up again."

Guskov replaces the injured Khalil Rountree, having originally been scheduled for a rematch with Jan Blachowicz at UFC Belgrade a week later. Guskov fought the former champion to a draw at UFC 323 in December and enters his first UFC main event on a five-fight unbeaten streak.

Ankalaev shared that he was offered several names, including a heavyweight fighter, but none materialized, so he is grateful that Guskov accepted the opportunity to face him.

"What can I say about Bogdan? He's a great guy," Ankalaev said. "He's a great guy. I mean, he could have refused too, and I would have been without a fight."

"So he saved the fight for me, for which I am very grateful, and I think he's a great guy for doing it."

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