Gentle heavyweight title challenger Magomed Ankalaev
Magomed Ankalaev’s rise has been extremely deliberate.
However this weekend at UFC 313 he’ll get the shot that he’s at all times needed. After a botched shot towards Jan Blachowicz that might have seen him the champion, Ankalaev has made his approach to the dance.
Ankalaev’s sluggish burn is lastly changing into a raging fireplace and that fireside is because of be at it’s brightest at UFC 313. The trail lies by way of the UFC’s latest mega-star: Alex Pereira.
The constructing of Magomed Ankalaev
Magomed Ankalaev has been within the UFC for a very long time. Becoming a member of the promotion in 2018, Ankalaev misplaced to Paul Craig by way of triangle. Then his rise started.
Marcin Prachnio was his first win with the largest MMA promotion on the planet. He returned towards Klidson Abreu with a call win. It was the following combat that noticed Ankalaev get a bunch of consideration. With a entrance kick to the face and a cross of Dalcha Lungiambula, everybody began to concentrate.
In February of 2020, he would tackle Ion Cutelaba for the primary time. That combat was filled with controversy in solely 38 seconds. You’ll keep in mind that as when Cutelaba “performed opossum” as he was damage and the combat was known as prematurely. A rematch was known as for and all three events needed it.
Booked in April 2020, the combat was canceled as a result of COVID-19 pandemic. The promotion tried once more in August of 2020 and Cutelaba examined constructive for COVID-19. Attempt once more: nope, Cutelaba failed once more two weeks later.
It was lastly in October of 2020 that Ankalaev put Ion Cutelaba behind him. Ankalaev would proceed to win. Nikita Krylov, Volkan Oezdemir, Thiago Santos, and Anthony Smith. The stage was set for a title shot.
Falling brief and rebuilding
Magomed Ankalaev was billed to face Jan Blachowicz for the vacant title after Jiri Prochazka vacated the title. The combat noticed Ankalaev fall behind for 3 rounds earlier than rallying again with a superb fourth spherical and a 10-8 fifth spherical to get the draw. The UFC would cross and provides the title shot to Glover Teixeira and Jamahal Hill.
It appeared Ankalaev couldn’t get out of his personal means. He took on Johnny Walker in October of 2023. After an unlawful knee, Walker couldn’t proceed and that combat was known as a no contest. Right here we go together with rematches once more. Johnny Walker and Magomed Ankalaev was rebooked. Fortunately Ankalaev gained.
He stepped up for the final time towards Alexandar Rakic at UFC 308. He fended off one other contender and it appeared that he was subsequent in line. And he was.
Now he takes on Alex Pereira at UFC 313. He will get his long-due title shot as soon as extra. As a substitute of it being Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka, or Jan Blachowicz, it’s the largest star. It’s Alex Pereira.
To develop into champion, Magomed Ankalaev should overcome his largest problem but.
