Ankalaev and Walker met two months ago in a terrible bout that didn’t end as many wanted to see. That is, it didn’t end at all because it stopped following Ankalaev’s illegal knee to Walker’s head. After that, the Brazilian was dazzled, but when the judge inside the octagon waived the stoppage, he was suddenly ready to continue.
Magomed Ankalaev News
The Russian has unequivocally cemented his status as one of the top title contenders in the division. We saw that coming in the past because Magomed displayed excellent performances, and it’s no wonder he boasts an 18-1-1 record so far. Pundits still believe that the draw against Jan Blachowicz at UFC 282 unfairly deprived him of the well-deserved victory and the coveted title.
Ankalaev’s technical knowledge is at a high level, and there aren’t too many well-rounded fighters in the division like him. The Russian inflicts damage both in the standup and on the ground, though we need to add that his striking is the primary weapon. Ankalaev’s takedown executions are nothing short of masterful because of the mentioned technique, but also the fantastic power and stamina this guy has.
Johnny Walker News
Walker’s actions during the previous battle were unreasonable, and we don’t know what the Brazilian wanted to achieve. In the end, the crowd and the whole of the MMA community were against him. Walker was 1-4 before winning the past three events. His victims were solid fighters, but not a single one presented the elite of the light heavyweight division.
Cutelaba, Craig, and Anthony Smith fell one after another, and as a reward, the UFC handed Walker this fight. However, if we dig further into the past, it is impossible to ignore his crushing defeats at the hands of Jamahal Hill and Corey Anderson. The Brazilian has an unreal physique, but his technique and especially his discipline are two areas where he could do better. Which is the reason he stagnated in the UFC.
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Ankalaev vs. Walker Betting Predictions
In our opinion, Ankalaev will win this contest, and the reason for that is his discipline and versatility. Both are far better than Walker’s, and we won’t even mention the fact that he posted wins over some of the best guys in the division, thus making his resume much heavier than his rival’s. We expect to see Ankalaev winning via stoppage in this event.
Betting Tip: Ankalaev by KO or Submission
Bookmaker: sportsbet.io
Odds: 1.40