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Although not related to Magomed Ankalaev, UFC Hall-of-Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov certainly has high hopes for the No.3-ranked UFC light-heavyweight contender.
In a 2021 interview with RT Sport, 'The Eagle' opined that Ankalaev has a high chance of capturing the 205lbs gold. Answering a question on who he thinks are the best Russian fighters in each of the UFC weight classes, the former UFC lightweight champion said:
"I would like to mention [Magomed] Ankalaev. He has a big chance to become a champion at 93 kg [205 lbs]."
Watch Khabib Nurmagomedov talk about Magomed Ankalaev below:
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The Eagle also stated that Askar Askarov, Petr Yan, recently crowned lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and Russian-born Swedish fighter Khamzat Chimaev were a few other high-caliber fighters out of Russia. Judging by Magomed Ankalaev's current nine-fight win streak in the premier MMA promotion, it would seem that 'The Eagle's belief in him was not misplaced.
The 30-year-old is scheduled to face former champion Jan Blachowicz in his next fight at UFC 282 on December 10 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The Goretz Fight Team pupil has opened as the -225 favorite against the former champion, who is currently the +190 underdog.
Many believe that the fight will act as a potential No.1 contender matchup.
What are some of Magomed Ankalaev's notable wins in the UFC?
The No.3-ranked light heavyweight contender has been on a tear lately. Undefeated since September 2018, the Russian has racked up nine wins in the UFC.
Ankalaev's win against former light heavyweight title contender Thiago Santos is perhaps the biggest win of the Russian's career so far. The 30-year-old clinched a hard-earned unanimous decision win against 'Marreta' in their UFC Fight Night 203 main event.
He also holds a win against another former title challenger Anthony Smith. The Dagestani secured a second-round knockout victory against 'Lionheart' at UFC 277.
He also bested another former title challenger in Volkan Oezdemir via unanimous decision at UFC 267.
Ankalaev has had only one loss in his mixed martial arts career so far. His sole loss came in his UFC debut against Paul Craig via submission due to a triangle choke.
