Magomed Ankalaev is eyeing up a quick turnaround and wants a showdown with Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira at UFC 300, after dispatching of Johnny Walker in two rounds on Saturday night.
Ankalaev settled the score with Walker in brutal fashion, dispatching of the Brazilian with two huge strikes midway through the second round of their rematch. The rematch came about following an illegal blow to the head of Walker when the two first fought in October 2023. Both men wanted to run it back and Ankalaev made the most of the opportunity.
Addressing the media post-fight, Ankalaev made it apparent he wanted to make a statement with his performance against Walker and revealed that this was a large reason behind wanting to stand and trade with the unorthodox striker. He is also hoping that the big performance will lead to a clash with Pereira. He said:
“I could have come out here today and wrestled against Johnny Walker, could’ve taken him down right away and won with my ground and pound on the ground but instead I wanted to send a message. I wanted to stand up and I wanted to knock him out and that’s what I did.
“Now, for Glover Teixeira, I have a message. Don’t waste your time trying to teach your student how to wrestle or grapple, he’s not going to need it. I am going to come out there, I am going to stand across from him and I know that he has been knocked out before as a Middleweight, so imagine what’s going to happen if I meet him at Light Heavyweight. Trust me, he’s not going to feel comfortable there.”
Prior to the Walker saga, Ankalaev faced Jan Blachowicz for the vacant Light Heavyweight title. The bout was ruled a draw in a decision which shocked many, including Blachowicz who admitted he felt his opponent had done enough to claim the title. Mindset is a vital part of MMA and Ankalaev admitted he has felt like a champion ever since that contest.
“I have been considering myself a champ since that fight. For whatever reason the judges decided that it was going to be a draw and I didn’t get my chance. Now I have a chance again to fight for the title. So, if I get to fight against Pereira, I think we are going to have a great fight, it’s going to be a fire fight, it is going to be an exciting fight and we are going to do our job and I am going to get my title back because I am already feeling like a champion.”
Discussing the eventual return of Jamahal Hill, Ankalaev feels that the former champ, who relinquished his belt due to injury, should have to wait his turn for a shot at the belt.
“I think here, the way the math works out, I am more deserving of the belt. I have 10 victories, 6 of them knock outs and Jamal Hill has 8 fights total in the UFC so it is clear I am a more deserving opponent than Jamahal Hill”
It is unclear as to whether the UFC will look to pursuit Pereira vs Ankalaev for UFC 300 but if they do, it will be a fantastic addition to any card it lands on.
