Magomed Ankalaev may have secured his shot at a UFC light heavyweight title earlier tonight (Sat., Jan. 13, 2024) at UFC Vegas 84 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, when the 205-pound contender stopped Johnny Walker with a second-round TKO (punches).
The main event showdown was a rematch from an initial meeting between Ankalaev and Walker back at UFC 294 this past October. An illegal knee by Ankalaev rendered Walker unable to continue. The fight was re-booked for Saturday night, but this time the two light heavyweights had five rounds to settle their score.
Magomedov played a more reserved role early on as Walker launched a plethora of spinning attacks and fancy kicks. Some landed, but nothing that put Ankalaev in trouble. Ankalaev kept his composure and started to walk inside to land shots. He turned the pressed up in the second round and landed a counter right hook that knocked Walker back onto the ground and into the cage. Ankalaev followed up with a vicious right hand that landed flush on Walker’s nose and that was all she wrote. It was pretty vicious.
Check it out below:
This victory should land Ankalaev a shot at current UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira or at least a No. 1 contender’s bout against former UFC champion Jamahal Hill. Either way, this was the standout performance he needed to finally get over the hill and take advantage of his now 12-fight unbeaten streak.
For complete UFC Vegas 84 results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.
This story originally appeared on MMA Mania
