A fighting career, especially in MMA, is not always financially lucrative. That is why more and more fighters are venturing into business outside of fighting and diversifying their income streams. While competing inside the Octagon is the main source of income for most UFC fighters, many like Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor have leveraged their fame and fortune to branch out in unexpected ways. And Magomed Ankalaev is one of those fighters! 

The UFC light heavyweight champion is just hours away from his blockbuster rematch against rival Alex Pereira at UFC 320 on October 4, set for the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Along with the sizable paycheck he’ll earn on fight night, Magomed Ankalaev has also built a business venture outside the cage, a coffee shop.

All about Magomed Ankalaev’s coffee shop in Dagestan

UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev has added an unexpected venture to his resume—a coffee shop in his native Dagestan called ‘ANKL.’ It came to light during an interview with UFC’s very own ‘Nina Drama,’ real name Nina-Marie Daniele, ahead of his fight against Pereira. “Did you know UFC Champion Magomed Ankalaev owns a coffee shop? @AnkalaevM,” Daniele wrote on X. 

This quickly caught fans’ attention on social media, with many applauding the fighter for thinking beyond the cage. Ankalaev’s coffee shop highlights a growing trend of UFC fighters branching into business. While full details about the menu remain limited, the shop’s Instagram account has already attracted nearly 7,000 followers. For those planning a trip to Dagestan, you can find it at Makhachkala, Ulitsa Asiyatilova 15. 

The cafe opens at 8 a.m. and stays open until 11 p.m. Regardless, the question is, what other income sources does the Russian fighter have?

Magomed Ankalaev’s other sources of income & UFC earnings

The 33-year-old financial portfolio is fairly straightforward, and unfortunately, beyond the UFC and his coffee shop, not much is known about where Ankalaev has invested his money. Besides, unlike other fighters in the UFC, Ankalaev doesn’t appear to have outside sponsorships either. His only brand-related income comes from UFC’s fight gear partnership.

Yet, he has been making bank from his fights in the UFC. Ankalaev’s highest recorded payout came in his fight against Aleksandar Rakic, where he earned around $156,000, including bonuses. Another significant payday was his title bout against Jan Błachowicz, where he reportedly took home $132,000. Although he has yet to secure a seven-figure purse, a win in his upcoming title fight at UFC 313 could mark the turning point in both his career and earnings.

While Magomed Ankalaev might not have Conor McGregor-esque businesses, he is certainly making a path for himself in the UFC. Perhaps another win over Alex Pereira will help make bigger purses, allowing him to branch out into more businesses.