Magomed Ankalaev reveals he's not strictly following Ramadan fasting during UFC 313 fight week

Magomed Ankalaev is a devout Muslim, but he’s made an exception about Ramadan for the sake of his health heading into UFC 313.

Ankalaev, 32, challenges Alex Pereira for the light heavyweight championship this Saturday at UFC 313 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPNews/Disney+, ESPN+).

When the fight was announced in January, the timing was considered curious given that it fell during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in which Muslims are required to fast – abstaining from food and drink – from dawn to sunset on each of the 30 days as a way to practice self-restraint.

Ankalaev said he’s been strictly adhering to Ramadan fasting rules since it began February 28. But with the fight just days away and a weight cut looming, Ankalaev explained that he’s loosened up.

“I have been following the fast strictly except for this week, where I will have to break it a few times because I need to make sure I drink water to have a successful weight cut,” Ankalaev told Ag. Fight through an interpreter. But apart from that, I started with Ramadan. I have been fasting. And after the fight, I will obviously also follow the rules of religion as it has to be.”

Ankalaev (20-1-1 MMA, 11-1-1 UFC) enters UFC 313 on a 13-fight unbeaten streak, having not experienced defeat since a miracle submission in his UFC debut against Paul Craig in 2018. Since then, Ankalaev has 11 wins with one draw and one no contest. His draw came in his first attempt at claiming the then-vacant light heavyweight championship against former champ Jan Blachowicz at UFC 282.