UFC Analyst Proposes Wild Trade for Magomed Ankalaev—‘We Don’t Need This Guy’
The MMA world is buzzing after UFC analyst and former fighter Din Thomas made a bold statement about Magomed Ankalaev, suggesting that the UFC should trade him to the PFL in exchange for rising star Dakota Ditcheva. Thomas didn’t hold back, claiming that Ankalaev lacks star power and wouldn’t be missed in the UFC, while Ditcheva could bring the kind of excitement the promotion needs.
Now, if you’ve followed Ankalaev’s career, you know he’s been grinding for years to get his shot at UFC gold. He was widely considered the next big thing at 205 pounds, but his style and lack of media presence have kept him from becoming a household name. Even when he fought Jan Blachowicz for the vacant title at UFC 282, it ended in a draw, forcing him to climb back up the rankings for another opportunity. That opportunity is finally here—he’s set to fight Alex Pereira for the light heavyweight belt at UFC 313.
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But despite Ankalaev’s undeniable skills, Thomas believes the UFC should cut their losses and swap him for Ditcheva. Speaking on The Casuals MMA Podcast , Thomas pointed out that MMA is a star-driven sport and that while the PFL has been stacking up big names, one of their true homegrown stars is Ditcheva. The undefeated flyweight champion has been on a tear, finishing all of her last four fights in dominant fashion.
Thomas sees an opportunity here: “They don’t have stars. I mean, they got Dakota Ditcheva, who’s a star. Trade her to the UFC, you know she belongs here. Just get rid of Ankalaev, we don’t need him. He’s not getting the title. Trade him for Dakota. Ankalaev will fit right in at the PFL, another guy that no one knows about that’s really good.”
That last line? Brutal. Ankalaev just caught a stray for no reason. The guy is literally days away from fighting for a title, and here comes Thomas, basically saying, “Yeah, he’s great, but who cares?” It’s a harsh take, but it does highlight a real issue—star power. The UFC thrives on personalities that bring excitement, and while Ankalaev is a top-tier talent, he doesn’t have the same buzz as someone like Pereira or even a rising name like Ditcheva.
Of course, this trade is pure speculation. The UFC isn’t exactly known for trading fighters, and with Ankalaev possibly on the verge of winning a championship, it’s highly unlikely they’d consider letting him go. But Thomas’ point about the UFC needing more breakout stars—especially in the women’s divisions—does hold weight. If Ditcheva ever does make the jump to the UFC, she could be a game-changer.
For now, Ankalaev’s focus is on UFC 313. If he beats Pereira, all of this talk disappears. If he loses, though? Well, Thomas might not be the only one questioning his place in the UFC.
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