Does the UFC hate Magomed Ankalaev?

[13Seconds]

Ankalaev is not good looking, his style is boring, and he barely speaks English.

Plainly and simply, he is not a marketable item.

The UFC wants handsome/pretty fighters, who finish (either with strikes or by subs), who are charismatic and marketable.

Ankalaev is none of these things.

That's why nobody cares.

But he's from dagestan with the same look as everyone from there.

Isn't what you're describing basically Islam Makachev?

Except Ankalaev drops fools

 

[DEV.Woulf]

Whenever I think of Magomed Ankalaev I just think "meh." No look or personality whatsoever. Can crack and wrestle but he's often too passive to make an enjoyable fight. He's mad at the UFC brass for a variety of reasons and he's really hard to market to the West. Still, he could well be the LHW champion someday. I'll watch his fights but I don't get excited.

He’s like an Amish person in terms of personality.

Lol don't insult them. If an Amish fighter with muscles starting kicking ass and taking names in the Octagon he'd be must watch TV!

 

[Edward Henry Greb]

But he's from dagestan with the same look as everyone from there.

Isn't what you're describing basically Islam Makachev?

Except Ankalaev drops fools

I don't think all that much of Islam, either.

 

[StonedLemur]

I tend to agree -- he's incredibly talented, but I don't know why he leans so much on his striking against opponents with limited wrestling ability. His striking is good, but I feel his ground game is better. I look at how easily Rob Wilkinson defeated Thiago Silva and can't help but feel Ankalaev could've done better against Silva with a similar gameplan.

100% sir.

He also lacks killer instinct in the ground... he's frustrating lol

 

[Paul E Gensinger]

I don't think they hate him, but he's not one of their favorites. If he talked trash (even through a translator) or fought more recklessly, he would be getting a bigger promotional push. And that's not a knock on him - it says more about how lazy and inept UFC actually is at the task of promoting worthy fighters.

UFC basically wants the fighters to sell wolf tickets, do hot takes on social media, fight recklessly, and never complain. That's why Chandler (or Paddy, etc) is going to be on PPV even if he goes 0-5 to close out his career, while a dude like Ankalaev or Umar Nurmagomedov are going to get ignored and passed over (until they're needed to fill in for a main event, and then it's Rogan yelling at us how "this guy is a monster, once in a generation talent, world class").

Excitement means something.
I will tune in to every Chandler fight and zero Arman fight.
I appreciate and respect all wins but I don't have to be a fan.

 

[DjolexMTL]

fr he kinda ugly ngl

I always thought he had a little bird face lol

 

[Sweater of AV]

Probably. It’s the UFC. They hate everyone at least once during their career.

 

[NicholasJBasile]

Just skillwise i do think he might be the best LHW. his grappling is there and his hands are so good.

For some reason i don't see him getting a titleshot. As other said, he fights very safe. And his prime might be up.

It's hard to disagree -- LHW isn't very deep at the moment, but there are some killers in the shadows making their way through the regional circuits (especially from Eastern Europe) that will soon make their names known. We see more of them now at 185 but I feel we'll see more talent within the next couple years at 205 that may leapfrog Ankalaev after his best years are up. Time will tell.

 

[fortheo]

Let him fight rakic. Two young guys who couldn't beat Jan.

 

[kingmob6]

Dana holds long grudges. If you talk down on UFC/Dana, you get put in the doghouse.

the only person that seems to be getting away with it right now is Colby Cuckington, but I think Dana wants an American champion really bad, so he let him slide.

 

[Local Plata]

If you don't have tattoos and cut pro wrestling promos, and beat actual contenders instead of focusing on fights that make the UFC money or advance their retarded 'storylines' ... the UFC will hate you.

 

[IDGETKTFO]

I do.

 

[thewhiterooster]

Yes. They do. He is the new Leon Edwards

yup! 100% I'm guessing there's also some behind the scenes stuff that dana etc don't like about him. and similar to Edwards, dana and co say "he's boring and doesn't put butts in the seats". and since the conor shit talk era, the ufc brass has doubled down on not wanting their champions to lack charisma. stipe is another that comes to mind, like Edwards.

 

[Killer Kadoogan]

9 fight win streak in the UFC. Last fight was a draw in which most people thought he won.

The guy he fought to draw with (Jan Blachowicz) is basically getting a #1 contender fight next.

No news on Ankalaevs next move. Is he on the outs with the company?

no but the fans and everyone else watching does

 

[Iroh]

9 fight win streak in the UFC. Last fight was a draw in which most people thought he won.

The guy he fought to draw with (Jan Blachowicz) is basically getting a #1 contender fight next.

No news on Ankalaevs next move. Is he on the outs with the company?

The UFC rarely ever hates a fighter, but they often just don't really care about them if they aren't marketable.

 

[Psychojoe86]

It's possible he really did get his leg injured from the fight with Jan. Maybe he wants to keep that concealed? Who knows. He certainly hasn't been vocal lately, and now the UFC is pushing ppl past him. He better move quickly cause the push for Perreira vs Adesanya at 205 is gonna delay all contenders in the division.

 

[SuperAlly]

fr he kinda ugly ngl

Looks like you need some vowels, some punctuation and capitals.

 

[Todd498]

He's not marketable. He looks like Kadyrov and Khabib's long lost love child. No cool nickname. No funny personality like Khabib had. No asshole personality like Islam has. No charming personality like Zhabit has. No really antagonistic personality like Khazmat has.

Just a fricken guy

AND… Arguably the best 205 guy in the world or at the very least top 3. He deserves a shot at the belt. He beat Jan

 

[nintey]

The UFC will always do everything in their power to sweep low fan appeal fighters under the rug. Magomed, Beneil, Belal, etc. They have to be PERFECT and absolutely undeniable to get a title shot. A Draw or NC may as well be a loss where they got dominated and finished as far as the UFC is concerned.

 

[13Seconds]

Let him fight rakic. Two young guys who couldn't beat Jan.

Lol. It actually makes sense.

No timeline on Rakic though which is weird. Judging from his social media he seems good to go but no hints at fighting anytime soon.