Magomed Ankalaev, the consensus #1 ranked 205lbs title contender, has been vocal in his pursuit of his shot against reigning champion Alex Pereira. Despite Ankalaev’s impressive run and undeniable skills, ‘Poatan’ has shown little interest in accepting his challenge, leaving the Russian in limbo as he campaigns for the fight.

However, his journey to the top has featured more than just fights inside the Octagon—it also includes a memorable sparring session with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. So, what really transpired when these two powerhouses clashed in training? Let’s dive into the details.

Francis Ngannou’s intense sparring session with Magomed Ankalaev

Magomed Ankalaev recently opened up about an intense sparring session with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou that left fans in awe of his resilience and commitment to improving his game. ‘The Predator’, known for his concussive knockout power, has made a name for himself as one of the hardest hitters in MMA history. Out of his 12 victories in the UFC, 10 have come by knockout, making his punching power legendary. However, the Russian juggernaut experienced this strength firsthand—not inside the Octagon, but during a high-intensity training session.

The two fighters came together for a sparring session where Ankalaev was initially helping Ngannou sharpen his wrestling skills. However, Ngannou had a different plan. Ankalaev, who is renowned for his exceptional wrestling, shared details of the session during a conversation with Aslanbek Badaev earlier this year. According to Ankalaev, Ngannou was aggressive from the start, clearly aiming to land a knockout punch.

In a now-resurfaced post from MMA Uncensored Plus, the Instagram account highlighted Ankalaev’s recounting of the sparring session, saying, “Magomed Ankalev says Francis Ngannou tried to knock him out in Sparring.” Ankalaev went on to explain the reason behind Ngannou’s aggression. “Then we found out the reason (why he was trying to knock me out). It turns out he is a friend of (Dalcha) Lungiambula whom I had knocked out before,” Ankalaev revealed during the interview.

In 2019, Ankalaev delivered a stunning knockout to Dalcha Lungiambula with a front kick, a moment that the Russian believes may have sparked a desire for revenge in Francis Ngannou during their sparring session. Despite the intense sparring, the two fighters eventually sorted things out and have since become friends.

However, while Ankalaev may have found a resolution with Ngannou, there’s one fighter who remains a bitter rival for him—current light heavyweight king champion, Alex Pereira. Ankalaev has made it clear on several occasions that he is confident in his ability to defeat Pereira and earn the belt. But not everyone shares Ankalaev’s belief in his success against Pereira.

Jan Blachowicz is skeptical about Ankalaev’s chances against Pereira

Magomed Ankalaev has long been regarded as one of the toughest contenders in the UFC light heavyweight division, holding the top spot for some time. However, some believe that the Russian may not be able to overcome Pereira’s striking prowess in a potential matchup. One of those people is Jan Blachowicz, the former 205lbs king, who has faced both Pereira and Ankalaev in the Octagon.

Blachowicz recently shared his thoughts on why Ankalaev could struggle against Pereira. Speaking in an interview with James Lynch from Home of Fight, the Poland native expressed his belief that Ankalaev’s fighting style may not be enough to neutralize Pereira’s powerful striking. He said, “If Ankalaev fights like he did in his last fight with (Aleksandar) Rakic, he’s going to lose. He needs to do something more. He’s a good fighter, but his style might not be enough for Pereira. He needs to change.”

Blachowicz’s insight is particularly valuable, given that he has been in the cage with both fighters. The contrast in fighting styles between Ankalaev’s methodical approach and Pereira’s explosive striking makes a potential matchup between the two intriguing, yet highly unpredictable.

As fans eagerly await an official announcement about the fight, the question remains: if this matchup takes place, who will emerge victorious? Will Ankalaev be able to adjust and match Pereira’s striking power, or will ‘Poatan’ continue his reign with another dominant performance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!