“He is Hurting UFC” – Brendan Schaub Supports Controversial Take to Remove Champion Magomed Ankalaev

Former UFC fighter Brendan Schaub believes light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev's mic skills are undermining the UFC's star power.

“He is Hurting UFC” – Brendan Schaub Supports Controversial Take to Remove Champion Magomed Ankalaev

Brendan Schaub agrees with Din Thomas for Dakota Ditcheva over Magomed Ankalaev (via MMA Fighting, MMA Mania)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

Debates over fighter marketability and promotional strategy have long shaped the landscape of mixed martial arts promotions. In recent months, a hypothetical proposal has drawn attention in the UFC and PFL circles concerning a potential trade involving high-profile athletes. At the center of the debate is Magomed Ankalaev, who was recently snubbed by ex-UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub.

Ankalaev secured the UFC light heavyweight championship by defeating Alex Pereira in March. Following that victory, his visibility and status in the division rose significantly. Meanwhile, Dakota Ditcheva, a rising star in the PFL flyweight division, has maintained an undefeated record (15-0-0). She also has a high finish rate under that promotion, including success in the PFL’s women’s flyweight tournament.

The suggestion to trade Ankalaev for Ditcheva comes from UFC analyst and former fighter Din Thomas. He has argued on more than one occasion that Ditcheva’s star potential could outstrip the current appeal of the Russian. However, Schaub recently spoke about the situation on his podcast, Thiccc Boy, and his comments seemed to agree with those of Thomas.

Magomed is actually hurting the UFC. It’s (expletive) up to say because if he goes out and beats Alex, who’s a much bigger star than him, it actually hurts the UFC. A pretty girl who is very talented, who’s a 500 fighter, we can get more money out of than this guy from Dagestan, who’s a beast but isn’t good on the mic, his (trash) talking is a little dicey, and he’s also so good that the stars you want to be the face of the UFC, he beats.

Ankalaev has publicly responded to the trade suggestion and dismissed the idea, while questioning the credibility of those who proposed it. He reaffirmed his commitment to defending the title, most immediately in a rematch with Pereira. Meanwhile, Ditcheva’s contractual status with the PFL remains active, as she has signed a new deal and expressed no intention of immediately moving to the UFC.

Trades between major MMA promotions are historically rare; a prominent example is the exchange of former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson for Ben Askren between the UFC and ONE Championship in 2018. That precedent highlights the challenges associated with negotiating inter-promotion trades, which encompass contract law, promotion agreements, and regulatory considerations.

For now, the scenario remains speculative. Magomed Ankalaev is preparing to defend his title at UFC 320 against Pereira in Las Vegas. Brendan Schaub’s comments added another layer to the discussion, reinforcing how marketability continues to play a defining role in promotional strategies, even when weighed against proven championship credentials.

Fans react to Brendan Schaub agreeing to trade Magomed Ankalaev for Dakota Ditcheva

Brendan Schaub’s remarks quickly drew fans into the conversation, many of whom pointed back to Magomed Ankalaev’s recent rise in the spotlight. Supporters noted that while Ankalaev was often seen as a quiet competitor in the past, his recent trash talk leading into the Alex Pereira rematch has shifted perceptions. For some fans, this new edge adds a factor that Schaub may have overlooked.

Magomed Ankalaev gets snubbed by Brendan Schaub
Magomed Ankalaev gets snubbed by Brendan Schaub (via Bloody Elbow, MMA Fighting)

Others reminded Schaub that mixed martial arts has historically thrived on talent just as much as marketability. They argued that fighters who may not initially possess crossover star power can still shape divisions and attract interest purely through their performances. Ankalaev’s dominant record and championship status were highlighted as examples of ability creating its own value.

A further section of fans pointed out that the sport has room for different archetypes of athletes. They acknowledged Ditcheva’s growing profile but pushed back on the notion that she should be valued higher than an active UFC champion. To them, Schaub’s comments placed too much emphasis on marketability and not enough on proven competitive success.

Also Read: