Three months after their first encounter at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, Magomed Ankalaev (10-1, 1, 1 NC UFC) and Johnny Walker (7-5, 1 NC UFC) rematched to settle their differences and rewrite their first bout's anti-climatic ending, resulting in a no contest.
Only this time, Ankalaev, a one-time UFC light heavyweight title challenger, left no doubt who the better fighter was Saturday night in Las Vegas, Nev., at the UFC APEX.
Ankalaev's second-round TKO and dispatching of Walker, who had won three straight before last year's October clash, earned him his 12th consecutive win, putting him in prime position for another shot at championship glory.
During his post-fight interview, the 31-year-old Dagestani-born fighter clearly stated his desires.
"The most important thing is I am ready to fight for the title," Ankalaev said through a translator after the win. "I have [12] victories in a row. It has been a long time. I'm worth it. Give me that fight for the title now."
Unfortunately for Ankalaev, he may have to wait a bit longer for his second overdue title shot, as Jamahal Hill is penciled in to face Alex Pereira upon Hill's return from injury, where he ruptured his Achilles last summer and vacated his newly won belt he had just won six months prior.
Pereira became the UFC light heavyweight champion in November with a second-round TKO stoppage against former champion Jiri Prochazka. The bout allowed the division to keep moving while Hill was sidelined, thus creating a pathway forward for incoming contenders.
It remains to be seen where Pereira vs. Hill takes place and if Ankalaev chooses to sit out, but the title picture has become abundantly wide-open.
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