Combat Edge Intelligence

Magomed Ankalaev vs Thiago Santos

Side-by-side comparison: records, physical profile, Combat Edge Elo, win methods, tracked UFC stats, and common opponents.

Compare any two fighters →

Tale of the tape

20-2-1Record22-13-0
Light HeavyweightDivisionHeavyweight
6'3"Height6'2"
75"Reach 76"
205 lbsWeight241 lbs
Gorets Fight ClubTeamTeam Marreta

What's at stake

Magomed Ankalaev is the Elo favorite, so a win banks only +10 while a loss costs more — Thiago Santos carries the upset premium, with more to gain and less to lose.

Magomed AnkalaevNow 1835
If they win+10→ 1845
If they lose-22→ 1813
Thiago SantosNow 1694
If they win+17→ 1711
If they lose-7→ 1687

Projected for a decision result at current ratings. A finish (KO/TKO or submission) scales the swing up by roughly 20–25%.

Opponent quality

Average pre-fight Elo of each fighter's latest 10 counted pro MMA opponents. Higher means the recent schedule was stronger; later opponent results do not rewrite the score.

1723 · 10 fightsPre-fight Elo1743 · 10 fights

Tracked stat edges

3.65
Sig. strikes / min
3.72
53%
Strike accuracy
48%
2.59
Strikes absorbed / minLower is better
2.57
56%
Strike defense
54%
0.79
Takedown avg.
0.88
22%
Takedown accuracy
33%
88%
Takedown defense
66%
0
Submission avg.
0.06

Trajectory

Magomed AnkalaevThiago Santos
17001750180018502022202320242025

Win method breakdown

10 (50%)
KO/TKO
15 (68%)
0 (0%)
Submission
1 (5%)
10 (50%)
Decision
6 (27%)

Combat Edge model read

Magomed Ankalaev89%
Thiago Santos 11%Elo baseline: 69%

The Combat Edge model makes Magomed Ankalaev a 89% favorite over Thiago Santos in a hypothetical meeting — in line with the Elo baseline (69%).

Magomed Ankalaev holds the higher Combat Edge Elo at 1835 to 1694, a 141-point edge.

Thiago Santos enters on a 4-fight loss streak.

Magomed Ankalaev finishes 50% of wins inside the distance, Thiago Santos 73%.

Magomed Ankalaev and Thiago Santos share 3 common opponents: Aleksandar Rakić, Johnny Walker and Jan Błachowicz.

Model estimate for a hypothetical bout, generated from Combat Edge Elo, form, and career stats. Not a betting recommendation.

Common opponents (3)

WinKO · 2024
Johnny Walker
WinDecision (unanimous) · 2021
WinDecision (unanimous) · 2024
Aleksandar Rakić
LossDecision (unanimous) · 2021
WinDraw (split) · 2022
Jan Błachowicz
WinTKO (punches) · 2019