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Finally gets title shot
Ankalaev will challenge Alex Pereira for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship at UFC 313 on March 8, per the UFC 311 broadcast.
ANALYSIS
Ankalaev is certainly deserving of this opportunity despite the champion's comments that suggested he might not give it to him in favor of more exciting fighters. it was truly the only fight to make at light heavyweight, however. Ankalaev hasn't lost since his 2018 debut, picking up 11 victories since, with a no-contest and a draw mixed in there. He's won two in a row, though, including a tight decision over a tough customer in Aleksandar Rakic last October. While Anaklaev is more than respectable on the feet, nobody in the division can match the striking skills of Pereira, who will be making his fourth title defense. Anklaev will have to get this to the ground by any means necessary in hopes of negating Pereira's greatest strength.
Ankalaev is certainly deserving of this opportunity despite the champion's comments that suggested he might not give it to him in favor of more exciting fighters. it was truly the only fight to make at light heavyweight, however. Ankalaev hasn't lost since his 2018 debut, picking up 11 victories since, with a no-contest and a draw mixed in there. He's won two in a row, though, including a tight decision over a tough customer in Aleksandar Rakic last October. While Anaklaev is more than respectable on the feet, nobody in the division can match the striking skills of Pereira, who will be making his fourth title defense. Anklaev will have to get this to the ground by any means necessary in hopes of negating Pereira's greatest strength.
Another win, title shot next?
Ankalaev defeated Aleksandar Rakic via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC 308 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
It wasn't the dominant type effort we have seen from Ankalaev in the past, but it was another strong performance against a quality opponent and should be more than enough to earn him the next shot at Alex Pereira's UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Magomed closed with a 55-53 edge in terms of significant strikes landed. He constantly pushed forward and limited Rakic's space despite not attempting a single takedown. Ankalaev is a complete mixed martial artist. He has power, can grapple if needed, is durable and his cardio is strong. Undefeated in his past dozen bouts (10-0-1, 1NC), we are almost certainly looking at an Ankalaev v. Pereira title fight at some point in the next 12 months.
It wasn't the dominant type effort we have seen from Ankalaev in the past, but it was another strong performance against a quality opponent and should be more than enough to earn him the next shot at Alex Pereira's UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Magomed closed with a 55-53 edge in terms of significant strikes landed. He constantly pushed forward and limited Rakic's space despite not attempting a single takedown. Ankalaev is a complete mixed martial artist. He has power, can grapple if needed, is durable and his cardio is strong. Undefeated in his past dozen bouts (10-0-1, 1NC), we are almost certainly looking at an Ankalaev v. Pereira title fight at some point in the next 12 months.
Facing Rakic in October
Ankalaev will take on Aleksander Rakic in a light heavyweight bout at UFC 308 on Oct. 26, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Ankalaev was initially scheduled to face Alex Pereira, but his opponent was quickly changed to Rakic. He'll look to continue his dominant stretch; the fighter hasn't lost a professional MMA bout since 2018. He most recently took care of Johnny Walker in the second round of a Jan. 13 fight with a Right Hook-uppercut. His opponent Rakic, meanwhile, will be desperate for a win as he's lost his past two bouts.
Ankalaev was initially scheduled to face Alex Pereira, but his opponent was quickly changed to Rakic. He'll look to continue his dominant stretch; the fighter hasn't lost a professional MMA bout since 2018. He most recently took care of Johnny Walker in the second round of a Jan. 13 fight with a Right Hook-uppercut. His opponent Rakic, meanwhile, will be desperate for a win as he's lost his past two bouts.
Wins in dominant fashion
Ankalaev defeated Johnny Walker via KO (punches) at 2:42 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Well, that will put a resounding end to this brief feud. There's a real chance Ankalaev is the best light heavyweight on the UFC roster. It took him two or three minutes to find his range in this one, but once he did, Walker was done. Magomed began chopping away at the legs of his opponent before eventually catching an awkward Walker knee and dropping him with a right hand. He landed one additional shot that forced referee Marc Goddard to immediately step in despite the fact Johnny still had his wits about him. Nonetheless, it was a good stoppage and one that would result in a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for Ankalaev. Ankalaev's lone UFC loss was a miracle last-second (literally) submission by Paul Craig in his company debut back in March 2018. He's 10-0-1 (1NC) since. His next fight is likely going to be against Alex Pereira for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
Well, that will put a resounding end to this brief feud. There's a real chance Ankalaev is the best light heavyweight on the UFC roster. It took him two or three minutes to find his range in this one, but once he did, Walker was done. Magomed began chopping away at the legs of his opponent before eventually catching an awkward Walker knee and dropping him with a right hand. He landed one additional shot that forced referee Marc Goddard to immediately step in despite the fact Johnny still had his wits about him. Nonetheless, it was a good stoppage and one that would result in a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for Ankalaev. Ankalaev's lone UFC loss was a miracle last-second (literally) submission by Paul Craig in his company debut back in March 2018. He's 10-0-1 (1NC) since. His next fight is likely going to be against Alex Pereira for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
Scheduled for UFC 294 rematch
Ankalaev will compete against Johnny Walker in a light heavyweight fight at UFC on ESPN+ 92 on Jan. 13, according to Shaheen Al-Shatti of The Athletic.
ANALYSIS
Back at UFC 294 in October, Ankalaev fought Walker to a no-contest after accidentally kneeling the Brazilian while he was down, an illegal move. Walker was deemed unable to continue, a decision that did not satisfy anyone involved or watching. Thus, Ankalaev and Walker will get another shot at each other, with the former trying to finally log a firm result in his favor after back-to-back controversial fight turnouts.
Back at UFC 294 in October, Ankalaev fought Walker to a no-contest after accidentally kneeling the Brazilian while he was down, an illegal move. Walker was deemed unable to continue, a decision that did not satisfy anyone involved or watching. Thus, Ankalaev and Walker will get another shot at each other, with the former trying to finally log a firm result in his favor after back-to-back controversial fight turnouts.