Ankalaev loses patience with Borrachinha's 'excuses' and suggests a date for a UFC fight.

Magomed Ankalaev and Paulo Borrachinha are standouts in the UFC light heavyweight division. Photo: SUPER LUTAS montage

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Magomed Ankalaev , it seems, has already lost patience with Paulo Borrachinha . After defeating Bogdan Guskov at UFC Abu Dhabi , the Russian began to be considered a possible opponent for the Brazilian. Even so, given the current state of the light heavyweight division (up to 93kg), the fighter from Minas Gerais downplayed the chances of the fight happening, citing the low level of public enthusiasm for his rival.

In a social media post, Ankalaev recalled that Borrachinha refused to fight him at UFC Abu Dhabi and expressed skepticism about the Brazilian's willingness to accept the fight, suggesting that his rival might avoid the bout and anticipating possible justifications for an eventual refusal.

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"I was invited to fight you on the same card as my last fight, and I accepted," said Ankalaev.

"Now, I know you probably won't show up and fight me, so save your excuses. But if you change your mind, we can do it next week," the Russian concluded.

I was offered a fight against you on the same card as my last fight, and I accepted.

Now, I know you're probably not going to show up and fight me, so save your excuses. But if you change your mind, we can do it next week.

— Muhammad big ANK Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) July 29, 2026

Despite Carlos Ulberg being the current light heavyweight champion (up to 93 kg), the division is moving towards the creation of an interim belt sometime in 2026. This is because the New Zealander suffered a knee injury in his victory over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 327, held in April, and expects to return to the octagon only in 2027.

Given this scenario, Paulo Borrachinha and Magomed Ankalaev emerge as the main contenders to compete for the interim title, as they are the only names at the top of the category who are coming off a victory.

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