MMA
Carlos Ulberg thinks he has Magomed Ankalaev figured out following UFC Abu Dhabi: "I saw what I needed to see"
Published
3 weeks agoon
Carlos Ulberg had vested interest in the UFC Abu Dhabi main event, and he believes he saw enough of Magomed Ankalaev to have him downloaded.
Ankalaev took center stage inside Etihad Arena this past Saturday. He shared the Octagon with Bogdan Guskov, who was a late replacement for the injured Khalil Rountree. Ankalaev ended up scoring a fifth-round TKO finish.
Ulberg is the reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, so he had his eyes on the Ankalaev vs. Guskov fight. During his interview with UFC on Paramount+, “Black Jag†said Ankalaev showed him enough in case the two ended up clashing with the 205-pound gold at stake (via MMAJunkie).
“I saw what I needed to see, and I'll make sure I do everything I can to get back in there,†Ulberg said. “I've always seen Ankalaev as a top contender, so he's definitely one of the guys that will be up next as well. … I saw what I needed to see. I'll leave it at that.â€
Ulberg has been out of action due to a torn ACL, which he suffered in his title-winning bout against Jiri Prochazka back in April. The light heavyweight king said he's hoping that an early 2027 return is in the cards.
“I'm just making sure I need to do everything I need to keep on task with my injury, but then also just been working closely with the (UFC) PI and make sure I can get back in there as quickly as possible, but then also as safely as possible,†Ulberg said. “We're looking at early next year, so 2027 if we're being smart so we don't come in too early and reinsure ourselves.â€
One big talking point within MMA is whether or not there will be an interim UFC light heavyweight title fight before the end of 2026. Paulo Costa recently made his 205-pound debut, and he has been calling for an interim title fight. Alex Pereira recently lost an interim heavyweight title fight against Ciryl Gane, and one can't rule out “Poatan†returning to the 205-pound division.
When Carlos Ulberg is ready to return, who do you think he'll end up facing? Will it be Magomed Ankalaev or another top contender? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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MMA
Anthony Smith pleads not guilty to four felony charges in Nebraska
Published
7 hours agoon
August 18, 2026
Smith has pleaded not guilty to four felony charges stemming
from a July domestic incident in Nebraska.
Court records confirmed
Smith’s plea, resulting in the cancellation of an arraignment
scheduled for Aug. 17. The former
Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight title
challenger is now due back in court for a status hearing Sept. 21
in Sarpy County.
Former UFC title challenger Anthony Smith faces four felony
charges stemming from an alleged July domestic incident in Gretna,
Nebraska
Smith faces one Class 2 felony count involving an attempted Class 1
offense, a terroristic-threats charge and two counts of
first-degree false imprisonment, all classified as Class 3A
felonies. A Class 2 felony in Nebraska can carry a prison term of
one to 50 years, while Class 3A felonies carry up to three years of
imprisonment and 18 months of post-release supervision.
Prosecutors allege that Smith became involved in an altercation
with his wife at a Gretna, Nebraska, bar on July 26. They claim
Smith threatened to kill his wife, forced her into his vehicle and
later attempted to strike her with the vehicle after she exited it.
His wife was not physically injured, according to prosecutors’
account.
Smith has not publicly addressed the allegations. His wife, Mikhala
Renee Newman, previously offered a different characterization of
the incident, saying Smith was experiencing a mental health crisis
and that she had sought help to protect him from himself.
MMA
Glover Teixeira likes the idea of Alex Pereira facing Josh Hokit to earn another heavyweight title shot: 'Knock his ass out'
Published
8 hours agoon
August 18, 2026

Former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira plans to stay at heavyweight.
Pereira moved up to heavyweight at UFC White House as he took on Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title. However, Pereira suffered a knockout loss, as the size and power of Gane proved to be the difference.
After the loss, whether Pereira would stay at heavyweight was unclear, but his coach, Glover Teixeira, said that is the plan.
“He's going to stay at heavyweight; that's the plan,†Teixeira said to Ariel Helwani. … “He wants to fight all the time, but it's good to take time, he fought back-to-back for so long. He wants to fight. Alex always wants to fight.â€
Alex Pereira could face Josh Hokit next
Once Pereira is ready to return, Teixeira isn't sure who will be next for him. The goal is to get back to a heavyweight title shot, so Teixeira believes Josh Hokit could be a logical opponent.
“The plan with them, because Alex is a huge name and an exciting fighter to watch, and he sells. Some fight they will put him right back into the title. For him, pretty much any fight. Maybe we get this fight (Josh Hokit). He's talking a lot of shit. Go over there and knock his ass out and get back to the top, and then get the rematch,†Teixeira said.
Whether or not the UFC has any interest in that fight is unclear. But, on paper, it does make sense, as the winner would likely get a title shot, which is what this fight would do. And, Hokit has been talking trash about Pereira, so the storyline is there to be a co-main event of a numbered card.
Pereira is 13-4 as a pro and is coming off a TKO loss to Gane. He's 10-3 in the UFC and the former middleweight & light heavyweight champion.
Would you like to see Alex Pereira face Josh Hokit next?
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
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