Fights
The UFC shamelessly dumped a top fighter from Russia. How much longer can they humiliate Magomed?
The promotion is going to the most absurd lengths to ensure that the belt doesn’t go to Ankalaev.
The UFC recently officially announced the list of fights for the October numbered tournament in Salt Lake City. The main event will be a fight for the light heavyweight title between Brazilian Alex Pereira (the current belt holder) and American Khalil Rountree.
The choice of a title challenger is, to put it mildly, shocking. Pereira has beaten almost all the top fighters in the division. Of the top five light heavyweights in the rankings, only Russian Magomed Ankalaev won the last fight. It seemed that this time the UFC would definitely not offend our fighter, but in the end the title fight went to a man who occupies the eighth line in the rankings.
Didn’t fit into the party’s policies
It is well known that to get big fights in the UFC, you have to fight spectacularly and be active in the media. This is the policy of the best league in the world. Its bosses are interested in fighters attracting attention and bringing in money.
Magomed Ankalaev, who is second to none in the division in terms of fighting skills, fights (from the UFC’s point of view) unspectacularly. He does not often finish fights early, and he rarely appears in the press. The Russian is a very modest person, and has not been noted for any scandalous attacks until recently. In addition, not knowing English significantly reduces the fighter’s importance in the eyes of the organization.
There was already a case in Ankalaev’s career when the UFC blatantly screwed him. In a fight for the interim champion title, Magomed was unable to defeat the Pole Jan Blachowicz, the judges recorded a draw. Most independent experts believed that Ankalaev should have won. Such a clear robbery prompted the Russian to change his behavior and promotion strategy.
After the fight with Blachowicz, Ankalaev created an English-language account on social networks, began to talk more and challenge opponents. In addition, Magomed, as he was asked, began to fight more vividly. In his last fight, he spectacularly knocked out Johnny Walker, whose fall was turned into memes.
Missing the title fight again
Despite the fact that Magomed diligently began to fulfill the demands of his capricious bosses, the UFC again did not give him a well-deserved championship fight. Ankalaev was preferred to Khalil Rountree, who is only ranked eighth. The American has defeated only one person from the current top-15, so his track record is in no way comparable to Ankalaev’s opponents.
It can be assumed that the UFC does not want to complicate the life of the new star and promotion favorite Pereira. The Brazilian champion has repeatedly bailed out the organization by agreeing to fights on short notice. Moreover, Pereira finishes all his title fights ahead of schedule. The organization is extremely interested in the Brazilian’s championship. He is much more attractive not only to the UFC, but also to the American audience than Ankalaev.
Fuel was added to the fire of the conflict between the Russian and the UFC by some words from representatives of Magomed’s team. A couple of months ago, Ankalaev’s coach said that they wanted to fight “on their own terms” and were not obliged to always adapt to the organization. Since the UFC does not tolerate criticism, such a statement further distanced the Russian from his cherished dream. Ankalaev will fight in another “contender” fight with Alexander Rakich, and Pereira will challenge his title with an absolutely passable fighter.
Source: Sportbox
Russian UFC fighter Arman Tsarukyan and his compatriot Sharabutdin Magomedov, nicknamed Shara Bullet, ended in a draw in a grappling fight.
The fight in the Hype promotion took place in Yerevan.
Tsarukyan defeated New Zealander Dan Hooker by submission in the second round at UFC Fight Night 265 in November 2025. He has 23 wins and three losses in MMA. Magomedov fought his last fight in July 2025 at the UFC on ABC 9 tournament, defeating Canadian Marc-Andre Barrio by unanimous decision. The Russian has 16 wins and one loss.
Watch mixed martial arts tournaments live on the Match TV and Match! Fighter”, as well as on the websites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.
Source: Sportbox
Olympic champion and former interim WBA super featherweight champion Albert Batyrgaziev decided to take a break from his professional career.
At the beginning of July in Istanbul at the “IBA.PRO 8” tournament, Batyrgaziev lost early to the British James Dickens and lost the IBA.PRO champion and interim WBA champion titles in the second featherweight division. For the 27-year-old Russian, this was the first defeat in his professional career.
— I want to tell you honestly about my plans. Many people ask about their future career. Now I have decided to take a conscious break from my professional career. For me, boxing has been and remains a huge part of my life. Therefore, this choice is now very difficult. My whole sports life has been a race to the top: four Russian championships, an Olympic medal in Tokyo and then turning professional, where I went undefeated.
The last fight on July 2 was a turning point for me. The first defeat made me look at many things differently. I thank Allah for the trials and mercies that helped me become a better person. Since I have always felt a responsibility not only in the ring, but also before society, now is the time to become more active in projects that I have long planned, for example, supporting the development of sports infrastructure in my native regions. This doesn’t mean I’m saying goodbye to the ring. I remain an active boxer. But now all my work is outside of it. I thank everyone for their incredible support along this path: both in moments of triumph and in moments of challenge. She gives strength. I promise this new chapter will be just as honest and purposeful. I’m not saying goodbye, I’m just saying “goodbye,” Batyrgaziev wrote in the Telegram channel.
Batyrgaziev won gold in the weight category up to 57 kg at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. In the professional ring he has 12 wins and one loss.
Source: Sportbox
Hi, my name is Jayden James. I am a writer at Sportish, and I mostly cover sports news. I have been writing since high school and have been published in various magazines and newspapers. I also write book reviews for a website. In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer and basketball.
Arman Tsarukyan / Photo: © Chris Unger / Contributor / UFC / Gettyimages.ru
Russian UFC fighter Arman Tsarukyan said that he will give his compatriot Sharabutdin Magomedov, nicknamed Shara Bullet, an apartment in Yerevan if he defeats him in a grappling fight.
The fight is scheduled for December 30 and should take place in Yerevan.
“If Shara wins against me, then I will personally give him an apartment in Yerevan,” Tsarukyan said in a video published on the Red Corner MMA page on the X social network.
Tsarukyan defeated New Zealander Dan Hooker by submission in the second round at UFC Fight Night 265 in November 2025. He has 23 wins and three losses in MMA.
Middleweight Magomedov fought his last fight in July 2025 at the UFC on ABC 9 tournament, defeating Canadian Marc-Andre Barrio by unanimous decision. The Russian has 16 wins and one loss.
Watch mixed martial arts tournaments live on the Match TV and Match! Fighter”, as well as on the websites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.
Source: Sportbox
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