Upsets are a dime a dozen in MMA, but tonight’s fight at UFC 313? This one’s getting etched in UFC history! Russia’s Magomed Ankalaev caused a mega-upset by defeating two-division champion Alex Pereira at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, former undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney has shared his thoughts about the upset on social media.

Since storming into the UFC in 2021, ‘Poatan’ has climbed the ranks faster than a cheat code, turning himself into one of the promotion’s biggest superstars. As a two-division champion, he stepped into the octagon as the heavy favorite against the Russian fighter—but, as we all know, in this sport, nothing is ever guaranteed! In a surprising twist, Ankalaev turned out to be Pereira’s biggest test to date. Even though experts expected Ankalaev’s wrestling to cause Pereira trouble—and it did, at times—the 32-year-old truly shined in the striking and pressure department, ultimately edging to a unanimous decision win. The judges scored the fight 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46, reflecting the Russian’s dominance.

Ankalaev may have been the underdog, but he wasn’t just some stepping stone. Riding an 11-fight unbeaten streak since 2018, he came into this fight with something to prove. This was his shot at redemption after his 2022 title slip-up—a frustrating split draw against Jan Blachowicz that kept the gold just out of reach. After a hard-fought victory against the terrifying Alex Pereira, Devin Haney hopped on X to celebrate his fellow Muslim’s triumphant win, which halted Pereira’s remarkable run at light-heavyweight. “Alhamdulillah victory Ankalaev!” Haney described his emotions in three words.

‘The Dream’  himself is expected to return to the squared circle after over a year on the sidelines of action. Haney will fight Jose Ramirez on May 2 at the iconic Times Square in New York, alongside Ryan Garcia and Teofimo Lopez in separate fights. Regardless, Haney isn’t the only one with a message for Ankalaev.

Khabib Nurmagomedov joins Devin Haney in celebrations after Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev  

Khabib Nurmagomedov sent a congratulatory message to Magomed Ankalaev after his victory over Alex Pereira at UFC 313. Following the fight, Nurmagomedov praised his fellow Russian fighter, saying, “Congratulations Brother, Magomed Ankalaev. You made a history. It was amazing performance against very tough opponent.”

The result continues the dominance of Russian fighters in the UFC. But for Ankalaev, his dream had come to fruition. “I can’t even put it into words,” he said after UFC honcho Dana White wrapped the belt around his waist. “It’s been such a long way, and here is my dream, it’s on my waist… I don’t think anything surprised me,” he added. 

“I think I could’ve done a better job in the fight, but something just wasn’t working out. Anyway, I’m really happy that I won.”

That being said, Ankalaev has not only created an upset but also seems to have gained respect from Devin Haney and Khabib Nurmagomedov. What did you think about the fight? Who were you cheering for?