Magomed Ankalaev is just a Striker who knows Wrestling, experts predict Alex Pereira still has the edge

Magomed Ankalaev is often mislabeled as a grappling specialist simply because of his Dagestani heritage, his Master of Sports in Combat Sambo title, and, of course, the signature beard. However, those who analyze his fights closely know that Ankalaev is not your typical Dagestani wrestler—he is a striker first, grappler second.

The misconception stems from the dominance of fighters like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev, who have built their legacies on relentless wrestling and suffocating ground control. Because of this, the MMA community tends to assume that every Dagestani fighter follows the same blueprint. But Ankalaev breaks the mold, and the numbers back it up.

The Stats Don’t Lie: Ankalaev Isn’t a Wrestling-Heavy Fighter

Many MMA fans argue about whether Ankalaev’s grappling is elite, but instead of speculating, let’s look at the hard data:

• Takedown Average (Takedowns per 15 minutes): 0.92 → Lower than former champion Jan Blachowicz (1.10).
• Total Takedowns Landed in UFC: 10 takedowns in 14 fights → Blachowicz, in comparison, has landed 19 takedowns in 19 fights.
• Takedown Accuracy: 31% → Again, lower than Blachowicz, who holds a 50% accuracy rate.

These numbers prove one simple fact: Ankalaev is not a primary grappler. While he can wrestle when needed, he doesn’t rely on it as his main weapon. His fights show that he prefers striking exchanges, and when he does engage in wrestling, it’s often used as a backup plan rather than his primary route to victory.

Magomed Ankalaev: A Striker Who Can Wrestle, Not a Wrestler Who Can Strike

From his approach to fights, it’s clear that Ankalaev is a high-level striker first and foremost. His striking is crisp, technical, and calculated. He has powerful kicks, sharp counters, and a strong ability to control distance.

While he does have wrestling skills, they are not his primary go-to strategy. His ground control is solid, but he doesn’t aggressively pursue submissions like Khabib or Charles Oliveira. Instead, he mixes in wrestling when necessary to disrupt his opponent’s rhythm rather than dominate them with ground pressure.

This distinction is important, especially when considering his upcoming fight against Alex Pereira, one of the most lethal strikers in the UFC today.

The UFC 313 Matchup: Ankalaev vs. Pereira

At UFC 313, Magomed Ankalaev faces Alex Pereira, the reigning Light Heavyweight Champion and former Middleweight Champion. Pereira is an elite-level striker with devastating knockout power, particularly in his left hook and right cross. His kickboxing background makes him one of the most feared stand-up fighters in MMA history.

This raises the big question: How will Ankalaev approach this fight?

Many analysts believe that Ankalaev must wrestle Pereira to have the best chance of winning. They argue that standing and trading strikes with someone as dangerous as Pereira could be a costly mistake.

But here’s the issue: Ankalaev isn’t an aggressive wrestler by nature. If he doesn’t effectively mix in takedowns, he risks falling into the same trap that Jan Blachowicz did in his rematch with Pereira—getting outstruck by a more powerful and precise opponent.

Lessons from Jan Blachowicz’s Mistakes

Jan Blachowicz, a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, fought Alex Pereira at UFC 291. In their fight, Blachowicz initially had success grappling, securing a takedown in the first round and controlling Pereira on the ground. However, as the fight progressed, Blachowicz abandoned his wrestling and engaged in a striking battle, where Pereira’s superior stand-up skills gave him the edge.

The result? Pereira won by decision, marking another victory in his climb to light heavyweight dominance.

Ankalaev must learn from Blachowicz’s mistakes. If he chooses to strike with Pereira for an entire fight, he risks being outgunned and knocked out. However, if he effectively blends wrestling into his strategy and controls Pereira on the ground, he could neutralize the Brazilian’s striking and dictate the fight’s pace.

What the Experts Are Saying

Robert Whittaker’s Take

Former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker has advised Ankalaev to wrestle early and often against Pereira. In a recent interview, he stated:

“Ankalaev has the skills to beat Pereira, but he has to be smart. He can’t go in there thinking he can outstrike Pereira for five rounds. He needs to mix in his wrestling and take Pereira down as soon as possible. If he stands and trades for too long, he’s playing with fire.”

Joe Rogan’s Analysis

UFC commentator Joe Rogan also weighed in on the fight. While acknowledging Ankalaev’s striking skills, Rogan emphasized that wrestling will be the key factor:

“Ankalaev is no slouch on the feet, but Pereira is one of the scariest strikers we’ve ever seen in the UFC. If Ankalaev wants to win this fight, he needs to make Pereira uncomfortable. That means wrestling, clinching, wearing him down—anything to keep him from setting up his striking.”

Ankalaev’s Strategy: What He Needs to Do to Win

For Magomed Ankalaev to defeat Alex Pereira, he must follow a smart, disciplined game plan. Here’s what that looks like:

1. Start Wrestling Early

If Ankalaev waits too long to shoot for takedowns, Pereira will get into his striking rhythm. Ankalaev must shoot for takedowns within the first two minutes of the fight, forcing Pereira to defend instead of attack.

2. Use the Clinch to Slow Pereira Down

Pereira is most dangerous when he has space to throw his power shots. Ankalaev should press him against the cage, use underhooks, and wear him down with dirty boxing and knees to the body.

3. Avoid Predictable Striking Exchanges

Ankalaev has solid striking, but trading power shots with Pereira is a dangerous game. He must mix up his attacks, throw feints, and set up his takedowns with strikes.

4. Make Pereira Work on the Ground

Once Ankalaev secures a takedown, he must keep Pereira down. Pereira has shown improvement in his defensive grappling, but he still struggles when forced to fight off his back for extended periods. Ankalaev should focus on ground control rather than submissions, ensuring he wins rounds decisively.

Final Thoughts: Is Ankalaev the Right Fighter to Dethrone Pereira?

Magomed Ankalaev has all the tools to win the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship—but only if he fights smart. If he ignores his wrestling advantage and tries to prove a point by standing with Pereira, he could find himself on the receiving end of a highlight-reel knockout.

However, if Ankalaev strategically blends his striking and wrestling, he has a real chance to do what Blachowicz failed to do—neutralize Pereira’s striking and claim the UFC Light Heavyweight Title.

Will Ankalaev stick to the right game plan, or will he fall into the same trap as Pereira’s past opponents? Fans around the world will be watching closely when these two warriors step into the Octagon at UFC 313.