The UFC returns to the APEX in 2024 with top light-heavyweight contenders, Magomed Ankalaev & Johnny Walker topping the bill.
Magomed Ankalaev
When we talk about Magomed Ankalaev, most would concede that the Russian is a difficult matchup for almost anybody. In fact, if we look at Ankalaev’s record, the only loss on there is to Scotland’s Paul Craig. This defeat, if you recall, came in his UFC debut. A dominant debut. Ankalaev was bullish and in control of the fight, until he suffered the same fate as so many have before and after him. He made one mistake. One mistake was all it took for Paul Craig to snatch the victory and hand Ankalaev his first and only loss in the very last second of the final round.
Following that defeat, Ankalaev has been… consistent. A nine-fight winning streak showed Ankalaev for the talent he is. Victories over Ion Cutelaba (x2), Nikita Krylov, Volkan Oezdemir, Thiago Santos and Anthony Smith put Ankalaev into a fortunate position. A position which would see him challenge for the vacant light-heavyweight title against former champion Jan Blachowicz.
This fight, in itself, highlighted everything that Magomed Ankalaev has been doing wrong. He wasn’t prepared to go to the next level. To take risks. In order to get the job done. The fight was there for him to win, he just refused to put his foot on the gas. When I watch Magomed Ankalaev, I see so much talent. And yet, I am never excited to see him fight. For me, Ankalaev is ‘too safe’. I feel like I’m watching a race car that refuses to go above third gear. You know it’s there. You can see it. He just doesn’t seem to want to go there.
Is that because of the defeat to Paul Craig in his debut? Is he trying to ensure that he never ends up in that position again? Who knows? Magomed Ankalaev has all the potential in the world to become the UFC light-heavyweight champion. And yet, as a fan of the sport. In my opinion, that would be the worst thing that could happen to this division.
Johnny Walker
Now, in complete contrast to everything I have just said about Magomed Ankalaev, you could say the exact opposite about Johnny Walker. These two men are worlds apart when it comes to both their styles and their attitudes. Where Ankalaev tends to play it safe… Johnny Walker has a habit of being reckless. The positives in that? I’ll always tune in to watch Johnny Walker. The negatives? Well, ask Corey Anderson & Jamahal Hill.
Johnny Walker is a specimen. At 6 feet and 6 inches, Walker is ginormous for light-heavyweight. Add that to his athleticism and unorthodox style and you’ve got a serious problem. Since teaming up with John Kavanagh, it’s become clear that they are trying to reign Johnny Walker in a bit. Trying to get the spinning elbows and flying knees under control a little. The problem with that, is that when we saw Walker beat Anthony Smith, the fight was there to go and finish it, and yet, he didn’t do so. Walker and his team need to find just the right balance between what is reckless and what is what makes Johnny Walker, well… Johnny Walker.
Most that assess Johnny Walker would most likely agree that he is, what we normally refer to as a ‘fringe contender’. He’s a contender for sure but he just isn’t quite there yet. Since joining the UFC, Walker has picked up KO/TKO victories over Khalil Rountree Jr, Justin Ledet, Misha Cirkunov, Ryan Spann & Paul Craig. Along with a submission win over Ion Cutelaba and a points victory over Anthony Smith.
The blemishes on Walker’s record come at the hands of KO losses to Corey Anderson & Jamahal Hill, and decision losses to Nikita Krylov & Thiago Santos. Since his latest loss to Hill, Walker is on a three fight win streak and is brimming with confidence coming into this bout.
Fight Analysis
There’s a number of ways to break this fight down. But let’s be real about this for a second. Ankalaev is going to look to impose his wrestling. Walker, is going to try and keep the fight on the feet. It really is that simple.
Magomed Ankalaev – The Breakdown
If you’re Magomed Ankalaev, the biggest issue he’s going to have to face, is the range of strikes that Walker has in his arsenal. The height and speed of Walker is going to be a problem. The key to victory for Ankalaev will be to be cautious. To time the takedowns to perfection and ensure that he doesn’t get caught with anything wild on the way in. Once he has hold of Johnny Walker, he needs to keep him there. If Ankalaev can get this fight to the ground, he needs to impose his wrestling dominance. Walker does have a submission victory in the UFC to his name but he doesn’t offer the same kind of threat off his back as a Paul Craig , for example.
The most important thing, people say, is always getting the ‘W’. However, for me, in this fight, it’s not about whether Ankalaev gets the job done. It’s how impressive he does it, that matters most. If he bores us all to a five-round points decision, nobody is going to be shouting from the rooftops for Ankalaev to get the next title shot. He needs to make a statement. I’m not saying he needs to finish Johnny Walker but he does need to do something. Laying and praying is not going to be enough. If he is in a dominant position, he needs to dominate.
Johnny Walker – The Breakdown
From Johnny Walker’s perspective, this is a tough fight. I do however, see a method to victory for him. With an 82″ reach, against Ankalaev’s 75″, Walker has a huge advantage there. We don’t always see him take advantage of his physique and use his size to win fights but it may be pivotal here. In addition, it may surprise you to hear that Magomed Ankalaev’s takedown accuracy is only a mere 31%. Walker needs to take advantage of this, not only to stuff the takedowns but also to keep the fight in his wheelhouse, striking. It also suggests that Ankalaev sometimes shoots for the sake of shooting and if Walker can get his timing figured out, there will be opportunities to catch him on the way in. Ankalaev statistically only lands 1 takedown every 15 minutes, however, the problem tends to be that once he gets hold of you, you’re not going anywhere and are likely to finish the round on your back.
Interestingly enough, in my opinion, Johnny Walker has to do the one thing that most would advise he didn’t. He needs to take risks. I don’t see a world where Walker wins this on points. I think he needs to take risks, just like the flying knee in their first fight. If it lands, it could be lights out for Ankalaev. If it doesn’t, it leaves the door wide open for Ankalaev to score the takedown.
Stylistically, this could be a fun matchup. Walker presents enough of a threat to Ankalaev with his power, size and speed, my only fear is that we see Magomed Ankalaev lay on top of Johnny Walker for five rounds but we must remember… Every round starts on the feet.
Magomed Ankalaev Vs Johnny Walker – The Fight
Round 1
Johnny Walker starts bright. In typical Johnny Walker style, we’ve had spinning elbows, question mark kicks, flying knees. Ankalaev, in typical Ankalaev style, not offering too much. As the first round draws to a close, Ankalaev starts to land some nice kicks. Low blow. Ankalaev lands a heavy kick right on the cup. Walker isn’t happy and neither is Marc Goddard. Walker takes a moment to recover as the referee gives a stern warning to Ankalaev.
Round 2
Johnny Walker, who was showboating in the first round, seems to be a little more dialed in. It seems as though Ankalaev has now got his attention. Ankalaev is upping the tempo here, he’s slowly beginning to walk down Johnny Walker. THAT’S IT!!! It’s over. Ankalaev lands a big right hand as he closes the distance on Walker. Johnny Walker goes down heavy and after one devastating follow up shot Marc Goddard jumps in and rightfully calls an end to the contest.
Official Result: Magomed Ankalaev Defeats Johnny Walker via TKO in Round 2
Highlights:
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
