Magomed Ankalaev Issues Statement After UFC 320 Knockout Loss to Alex Pereira

Magomed Ankalaev lost his light heavyweight title to Alex Pereira in a swift knockout at UFC 320, marking his first defeat since 2018. Despite being a favorite and having previously beaten Pereira to win the title at UFC 313, Ankalaev was stopped just over a minute into the rematch. In his first statement after the fight, Ankalaev expressed gratitude to his supporters and framed the loss as a test from Allah to make him stronger, emphasizing resilience and faith. His UFC record now stands at 12-2-1 with one no contest, highlighting a remarkable unbeaten streak of 14 fights before this loss. Although an immediate trilogy fight with Pereira is not currently anticipated by the UFC, Ankalaev remains focused on recovery and future growth in his career. The loss represents a significant moment in Ankalaev's journey as he aims to regain his position among the top light heavyweights.