[5] Ankalaev was born on June 2, 1992, in Teletl', Shamilsky District, Russia[6] in a family of Avar descent.

Ankalaev first began training in Greco-Roman Wrestling for one year whilst he was a student at the Dagestan State University, where he graduated in the sport faculty.

[10] In December 2013, in the WMMAA's World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan, Ankalaev won the gold medal, beating Kazakhstani Rustam Malaev in the finals.

[14] In March 2015, Ankalaev won the finals of the MMA Cup of Dagestan, by beating Muslim Magomedov.

[15] Barely a month later, Magomed Ankalaev won the Russian Cup, by again beating his rival, Muslim Magomedov in the final.

[16] One month later, at the Russian MMA Championship, Ankalaev beat his old rival Valentin Moldavsky via split decision in the final, to win the gold medal.

[17] In November 2015, Ankalaev won the gold medal in the WMMAA World Championship held in Prague, Czech Republic.

[18] In May 2016, Anakalaev won the Russian MMA Championship, by beating Magomed Shakhrudinov in tourney finals.

[19] In November of the same year, Ankalaev won the Combat Sambo Cup of Dagestan,[20] and the gold medal in the WMMAA Championship a few weeks later, in Macau, China.

[21][22] Ankalaev made his professional debut on 18 January 2014, at Oplot Challenge 96, where he beat Vasily Babich of Ukraine by majority decision.

[23] In December 2015, Anakalaev wins MMA Super Cup of Russia, by beating Nadyr Bulkadarov in the pro exhibition fight.

[26] Ankalaev made his promotional debut against Paul Craig in March 2018 at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs.

[29] After a slow start, Ankalaev landed a right hook counter that knocked down Prachnio, who then got up, only to then be hit with a head kick and follow up punch which rendered him unconscious.

[41][42][43][44] Consequently, the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupation Regulation (DPOR) reviewed the fight, denying Cuțelaba's appeal to overturn the loss.