Ankalaev Reacts to Pereira's Title Loss, Eyes Trilogy Bout

WHO:

MMA Fighting - Magomed Ankalaev is a former UFC light heavyweight champion.

MMA Fighting - Alex Pereira is the current UFC light heavyweight champion.

MMA Fighting - Bogdan Guskov is a short-notice replacement opponent for Ankalaev.

MMA Fighting - Khalil Rountree Jr. is the injured fighter who was originally scheduled to face Ankalaev.

MMA Fighting - Jan Blachowicz is a fighter who was originally scheduled to face Guskov.

WHAT:

MMA Fighting - Ankalaev stated, "It must have been the worst day of my life, I could say," reflecting on his loss to Pereira.

MMA Fighting - Ankalaev described his return to training, saying, "It didn’t take too long... about a month that I was down on myself."

MMA Fighting - Ankalaev expressed gratitude towards Guskov for stepping up to fight him, stating, "He could have said no as well, and I would have been left without a fight."

MMA Fighting - Ankalaev stated, "I think what people will see this time around is a whole different fighter."

MMA Fighting - Ankalaev described his return to the gym after a month of feeling down about his loss, saying, "I think I’m in the best shape that I’ve been, ever. The best shape of my life."

MMA Fighting - Guskov fought Ankalaev to a majority draw at UFC 323 this past December.

MMA Fighting - Ankalaev lost the title to Pereira via an 80-second knockout at UFC 320.

MMA Fighting - Ankalaev's loss to Pereira was his second career loss and ended a 14-fight unbeaten streak.

MMA Fighting - Ankalaev won the championship against Pereira at UFC 313.

MMA Fighting - Guskov enters the fight on a five-fight unbeaten streak.

Sportskeeda - Ankalaev is seeking a trilogy fight with Pereira.

WHERE:

MMA Fighting - The fight will take place at UFC Abu Dhabi.

MMA Fighting - Guskov was originally scheduled to fight Blachowicz at UFC Belgrade.

WHEN:

MMA Fighting - Ankalaev's fight against Guskov is scheduled for a Saturday event in 2026.

MMA Fighting - UFC 320 occurred in August.

MMA Fighting - UFC 313 took place in March 2025.

MMA Fighting - Guskov fought Blachowicz at UFC 323 in December.

WHY:

MMA Fighting - Ankalaev described his loss to Pereira as "the worst day of my life."

MMA Fighting - Ankalaev felt he needed to get back to training after a month of feeling down about his loss.

HOW:

MMA Fighting - Ankalaev mentioned he allowed himself to feel sorry about the Pereira result for a few weeks before deciding to return to training.

MMA Fighting - Ankalaev mentioned that he allowed himself to feel sorry about the Pereira result for a few weeks before deciding to return to training.

MMA Fighting - Ankalaev stated he has returned to the gym and believes he is in the best shape of his life.

MMA fighter Ankalaev reflected on his recent loss to Pereira, calling it "the worst day of my life." After taking a few weeks to process the defeat, he returned to training in about a month and expressed gratitude towards Guskov for stepping up to fight him, acknowledging that Guskov could have easily declined. Ankalaev emphasized that he allowed himself some time to feel down about the result before making the decision to get back in the gym.