Top 10-ranked Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight contenders Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker will lock horns in the UFC Fight Night 234 headliner on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Their rematch takes place nearly three months after their ill-fated first encounter.
Ankalaev and Walker fought to a no contest at UFC 294 on Oct. 21. The controversial finish resulted from an illegal knee strike by Ankalaev that led the cageside doctor to call for the stoppage 3:13 into the first round. Their main event assignment grants both men the opportunity at a conclusive ending to this chapter of their respective careers.
As the second battle between Ankalaev and Walker draws near, a look at some of the numbers that have accompanied them to this point:
9: Ankalaev boasts the second-longest winning streak in UFC light heavyweight division history, behind Jon Jones (13). From September 2018 to July 2022, the Dagestani fighter accumulated an impressive nine consecutive victories, defeating notable names such as Anthony Smith, Thiago Santos and Volkan Oezdemir in the process. The undefeated run featured five victories by knockout or technical knockout.
11: Ankalaev further lays claim to the second-longest undefeated streak in the history of the UFC light heavyweight division. Despite his last two outings against Jan Blachowicz and Johnny Walker ending in a split draw and a no contest, respectively, the 31-year-old has not lost a fight since March 2018, when he succumbed to a submission loss against Paul Craig.
3: Ankalaev stands as the only light heavyweight in promotional history to record multiple knockout victories through kicks. His impressive tally includes three triumphs executed via head kicks against Marcin Prachnio, Dalcha Lungiambula and Ion Cutelaba.
45: Percent finishing rate for Ankalaev across his 20 professional mixed martial arts bouts.
19: Walker has amassed an impressive finishing record, with 19 out of his 21 career triumphs culminating in stoppages. He holds 16 knockout victories and three submissions to his credit.
6: Walker has solidified six of his seven UFC triumphs through first-round knockouts—a remarkable feat that includes notable victories against seasoned opponents such as Khalil Rountree, Paul Craig and Ryan Spann.
17: Walker consistently exhibits an explosive fighting style, substantiated by the fact that he has secured 17 first-round finishes in his career.
65.2: Percent finishing rate for Walker in his 29 pro MMA bouts.
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