Magomed Ankalaev Calls Alex Pereira’s UFC 320 Win a Lucky Punch
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev continues to reject the finality of his first-round loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 320, labeling the stoppage a lucky punch and suggesting Pereira’s aggressive start was influenced by knowledge of an injury. The comments, made during an interview with Azamat Bostanov on the Bostanov MMA channel, keep the unfinished business between the two former champions firmly in the public conversation more than a year after the title changed hands.
Ankalaev captured the light heavyweight belt with a unanimous decision over Pereira at UFC 313 in March 2025, only to drop it seven months later when Pereira stopped him with punches and elbows 1:20 into the first round at UFC 320. Ankalaev has since rebounded with a fifth-round TKO of Bogdan Guskov in July 2026, while Pereira vacated the 205-pound title, moved to heavyweight, and is now scheduled to face Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 335 on December 12.
Ankalaev addressed the rematch outcome and his belief that the rivalry remains open during the interview with Bostanov.
“His business with me isn’t settled at all. You could call what happened a lucky punch. That’s how he beat me.”
He expanded on the circumstances surrounding the quick finish and the approach Pereira took from the opening bell.
“I think they knew I had some kind of injury. I don’t think any fighter had ever rushed at me like that before. If he hadn’t known I was injured, I don’t think it would have ended so quickly.”
Reports after UFC 320 indicated that Ankalaev had entered the fight with a broken rib suffered in training roughly 20 days earlier, and that members of his team had advised him to withdraw. Ankalaev has previously acknowledged the injury and the decision to compete anyway, stating that he felt capable of proceeding and later accepted responsibility for the outcome. His latest remarks frame Pereira’s immediate pressure as unusual and potentially informed by that condition.
Pereira’s path since reclaiming the title has taken him away from the light heavyweight division. After vacating the belt, he challenged Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight championship at UFC Freedom 250 in June 2026 and was stopped in the second round. He remains focused on heavyweight competition, with the Pavlovich matchup offering a chance to reestablish himself in the title picture at 265 pounds. Ankalaev, meanwhile, sits near the top of the light heavyweight rankings under current champion Carlos Ulberg and has expressed a desire to reclaim the belt he once held.
The exchange adds another chapter to a rivalry that began with Ankalaev’s decision win and reversed dramatically in the rematch. Ankalaev’s insistence that the result does not close the book leaves open the possibility of future discussion around a trilogy, even as both fighters pursue opportunities in their current weight classes. Whether that conversation advances depends on upcoming results and the UFC’s matchmaking priorities at light heavyweight and heavyweight.
Ankalaev remains without a scheduled fight as he continues positioning himself for another run at 205-pound gold. Pereira’s December return against Pavlovich will determine how quickly he can reenter the heavyweight title conversation after the loss to Gane. The unresolved feelings Ankalaev expressed keep the history between the two relevant as both men prepare for their next steps.
