Magomed Ankalaev dares to stand up Khamzat Chimaev a weight class: “No problem”

If Khamzat Chimaev wants to test his courage at 205, Magomed Ankalaev is more than ready to welcome the unbeaten Chechen monster.

Earlier this month, ‘Borz’ delivered one of the most dominant performances in the UFC history and defeated Dricus Du Plessis conveniently to catch the undisputed middleweight world title.

Although there are no plans for Chimaev to fight again in 2025, there are many title candidates in line for their shot on the newly beaten 185-pound King, including Reinier De Ridder, Caio Borralho and the best-ranked candidate of the Division, Nassourdine Imavov.

However, they could all wait, if Chimaev could accept the challenge of the current light heavyweight champion, Magomed Ankalaev.

“I’m still in this division,” Ankalaev told Sport24ru. “If someone wants to go upstairs and want to test my weight class, I always say ‘welcome’. [Chimaev] Goes up, he moves up. No problem.”

Ankalaev vs. Chimaev would be an unmistakably interesting fight, but for now Ankalaev has all his hands full of high-stakes Rematch against Brazilian knock-out artist Alex Pereira.

Magomed Ankalaev ready to calm the skeptics in Pereira Rematch

After beating ‘Patan’ in March to claim light heavyweight gold, the two will decline on 4 October at UFC 320 in Las Vegas. Allegedly Pereira went to their first meeting with a broken hand and a case of Norovirus, which resulted in his matte show against the Dagestani.

This time, Ankalaev wants there to be no excuses when he hands over a second right loss.

“I actually want him to be 100% in this fight, so there are no questions about the outcome,” Ankalaev added. “I don’t want to hear talking like the last time he is not ready or something that is not ready. I want him to be in excellent condition, so that he has no excuses after our fight.”