Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker squared off in a Light Heavyweight contest earlier tonight (Sat., Jan. 13, 2024) at UFC Vegas 84 inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. After a competitive first round, Ankalaev dropped the hammer.
Walker was really aggressive from the first bell, firing spinning strikes and combinations in the opening minute. An axe kick snuck through the guard! Ankalaev’s defense held up well, however, and he answered with a couple shots of his own. Both men were kicking the legs hard, and Walker was looking to set spinning strikes up off his low kick. Ankalaev cracked his foe with a right hook at about the midway point of the first. Ankalaev’s low kicks started to land with more consistency, and he was in better control of the center too. Just as he was starting to build momentum, a low blow slowed it all back down and ultimately closed off a competitive opening frame.
Ankalaev pressured into the second, firing body shots and low kicks. Walker was rendered a bit defensive, as he was no longer initiating much of his own offense. Out of nowhere, an overhand right from Ankalaev floored Walker! As the Brazilian bounced off the fence on the floor, an Ankalaev uppercut smashed into his face. Based on the severe expression of pain on Walker’s face, his nose was shattered.
Fight over!
Ankalaev settled this controversy cleanly. He never absorbed any particularly major shots during the Brazilian’s wild first round, and once Walker had settled a bit, he stopped him with heavy punches. In addition, he showed some improvement to his kick defense, checking a fair amount of Walker’s low kicks.
Future champion?
Result: Ankalaev defeats Walker via second-round knockout
For complete UFC Vegas 84: “Walker vs. Ankalaev” results and play-by-play, click HERE!
This story originally appeared on MMA Mania
