For the first time since July 2022, a Magomed Ankalaev fight ended with a winner. It might be enough to set up another title shot for the Russian.
Ankalaev put away Johnny Walker in brutal fashion in the main event of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night, seemingly breaking the Brazilian’s nose with a hard right for a second-round KO.
The win continues Ankalaev’s unbeaten streak to 12 fights (with 10 wins) and makes him a prime candidate to take on new UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. Pereira took the chronically vacant belt against Jiří Procházka with a second-round TKO.
Ankalaev isn’t the sole candidate to face Pereira next, though, as former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill, working his way back from an Achilles rupture in July, was also in the building.
“The most important thing is I am ready to fight for the title,” Ankalaev said through an interpreter after the fight. “I have 10 victories in a row. It’s been a long time. I’m worth it. Give me that fight for the title now.”
It was an impressive performance from Anakalev even before the finish. He beat Walker in significant strikes 39-24 and seemed unfazed by his opponent’s unorthodox style.—Agencies
