Most likely Carlos Ulberg (40%), Early 2027 (Ulberg's return target). Nothing announced.. Next: Paulo Costa (10%).
Updated (UAE time) · Percentages are NextSmash model estimates, not facts or betting advice.
Likely opponents Model estimate
-
#1 contender. The champion named him as a likely first challenger once he's back from knee surgery (early 2027).Likely event: Early 2027 (Ulberg's return target). Nothing announced.
- 10%Ankalaev suggested Costa for an interim title while Ulberg is out. Bloody Elbow calls a quick booking unlikely.
Field / other: 50%. This covers everyone not listed above.
- Likely event
- Early 2027 (Ulberg's return target). Nothing announced.
- Last fight
- Win vs Bogdan Guskov · KO/TKO R5 2:41 · UFC Fight Night · 25 Jul 2026
- Career stage
- Won last fight.
- Confidence
- Low (High = officially booked · Medium = reported or a fighter's own claim · Low = model only)
- Last updated
- (UAE time)
Magomed Ankalaev: frequently asked questions
When is Magomed Ankalaev's next fight?
No fight is officially booked as of 1 Oct 2026. Our outlook: Early 2027 (Ulberg's return target). Nothing announced.
Who did Magomed Ankalaev fight last?
Magomed Ankalaev beat Bogdan Guskov at UFC Fight Night on 25 Jul 2026 (KO/TKO R5 2:41).
Who is Magomed Ankalaev likely to fight next?
NextSmash model estimate: Carlos Ulberg (40%), Paulo Costa (10%). Updated 1 Oct 2026. These are estimates, not facts or betting advice.
What is Magomed Ankalaev's record?
22-2-1 (wins-losses-draws) in professional MMA, as listed on UFC.com (checked 1 Oct 2026).
Your pick
Other light heavyweight fighters
- Carlos Ulberg Champion · next: Magomed Ankalaev 40%
- Jiří Procházka #2 · next: Navajo Stirling 92%
- Alex Pereira #3 · next: Sergei Pavlovich 35%
- Khalil Rountree Jr. #4 · next: Paulo Costa 18%
- Navajo Stirling #5 · next: Jiří Procházka 92%
More: Light Heavyweight rankings and next fights · Russia UFC fighters
Sources
- UFC.com athlete profile (record, rank, last fight) · 1 Oct 2026
- UFC.com rankings (Media + Meta), checked 1 Oct 2026 · 1 Oct 2026
- ESPN fighter profile (country, fight history) · 1 Oct 2026
- Bloody Elbow: Ulberg plans early-2027 return, calls Ankalaev a top contender · 26 Jul 2026
- Boxing News: Ulberg confirms early-2027 return after ACL injury · 1 Oct 2026
Percentages are NextSmash model estimates from the factors shown above (see methodology). They are not facts, and not betting advice. Records and ranks come from UFC.com; country from ESPN. Checked 1 Oct 2026.