Magomed Ankalaev, UFC Vegas 84’s snake-bitten would-be champion

Sambo ace, Magomed Ankalaev, will rematch wild finisher, Johnny Walker, this Saturday (Jan. 13, 2024) at UFC Vegas 84 from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ankalaev hasn’t misplaced a combat in practically six years, whereas profitable a number of fights in that span. Light Heavyweight just isn’t that deep of a division, so … why doesn’t Ankalaev have a golden belt wrapped round his waist but? Why isn’t he no less than preventing for the title?

The explanations are various and unusual.

Fighting Ion Cutelaba twice didn’t have to occur, actually. The terrible draw versus Jan Blachowicz might’ve been averted had he began wrestling a bit earlier. The “No Contest” in opposition to Walker final day trip? Yeah, barely higher decision-making in all probability might have negated the necessity for this rematch, too.

Because of all of the weirdness, arguably the most effective Light Heavyweight on the planet is on the surface trying in. Let’s take a more in-depth take a look at his talent set …

Striking

A Southpaw kickboxer, Ankalaev does a majority of his work on the ft. He’s sharp and vary and on the counter, and he generally forces his opponents to make errors and walk into energy pictures.

Ankalaev likes to stalk his opponents. He actively engages at distance, even going as far as to actually stress his opponents occasionally. All the whereas, Ankalaev retains himself in good position to fireplace if his foe overextends.

Ankalaev possesses a extremely educated lead hand, which isn’t all the time widespread for a leftie. Against his principally Orthodox opponents, Ankalaev has nonetheless been capable of fireplace crisp jabs down the middle. He’ll throw off a fast slap of the lead hand, however usually, Ankalaev’s pace alone is sufficient to sneak his jab handed his opponent’s guard.

Ankalaev’s jab is a deceptively punishing shot. While main the dance, Ankalaev will occasional spring ahead with one thing of a leaping lead hook, and he’s lots prepared to step in behind a tough one-two mixture as properly.

Aside from the jab, Ankalaev primarily makes use of kicks to punish his opponent at distance. Unsurprisingly, his left kick does nearly all of the work, though he’ll dig the calf along with his lead leg too. Ankalaev’s left spherical kick could be very highly effective, and he’ll attack all targets. Still, he actually likes the top kick, because it’s his go to weapon when an opponent is damage. In addition, Ankalaev will often combine entrance kicks into his offense, which is how he stopped Dalcha Lunbiambula (GIF).

Against Anthony Smith, feints made the distinction (no less than till Smith’s ankle imploded). Neither man scored something overly important on the ft, however Ankalaev constantly landed higher kicks as a result of he was the person feinting and drawing reactions from Smith. Then, when Smith got here up quick, Ankalaev would take the chance to rapidly kick the calf or often fireplace again with the 1-2.

Letting Ankalaev jab and kick freely just isn’t a recipe for fulfillment. His opponents have to interact to have a shot, and Ankalaev is often prepared. Early on, Ankalaev will merely drift backward, maybe with the pop of a jab. As the combat wears on, Ankalaev will stand his floor an increasing number of to fireplace again.

Much of the time, Ankalaev depends on his proper hook. Slipping his head to his left, Ankalaev fires off a imply counter shot that has staggered many opponents. The proper hook and left excessive kick are a basic mixture, because the hook can push his foe’s head in direction of the oncoming kick, like in his Prachnio knockout.

Ion Cutelaba’s relentless offense actually performed into Ankalaev’s fingers. Circling in direction of his again foot, Ankalaev used the best hook to actually load up his energy aspect earlier than unleashing a left hand that despatched Cutelaba to the canvas (GIF). It was a fantastic shot, one which he actually walked “The Hulk” into.

Finally, it’s value mentioning that Ankalaev does actually good work within the clinch. The skilled wrestler is commonly capable of dictate when separation happens, that means he’s a step forward in letting an elbow fly. Alternatively, Ankalaev will seek for collar ties and attack knees.

Ankalaev’s title bout versus Blachowicz undoubtedly revealed a weak point to low kicks. There are a pair causes for this flaw, one in all which is just his stance. Ankalaev stands in a large base, which makes him slower to elevate the lead leg to test. In addition, Ankalaev’s lead hand heavy model — each whereas attacking and countering — extends his stance additional, leaving his lead leg much more uncovered.

Wrestling

With a background in each Combat Sambo and Greco-Roman wrestling, it’s maybe a bit shocking that Ankalaev hasn’t been extra lively along with his takedowns contained in the Octagon. Still, it has been an efficient instrument for him, even when he’s largely content material to strike.

Ankalaev has a quite good blast double leg. Aside from the pace and energy of the shot, it actually helps that Ankalaev is ready to shoot off each his cross and proper hook properly. They’re barely completely different methods, as taking pictures off the cross requires type of falling into the takedown, whereas to shoot a double off the lead hook, a fighter has to maintain his weight again to blow up successfully.

Just as usually, Ankalaev wrestles from the clinch. From the higher physique position, Ankalaev fights the hip battle properly. Once he secures his grip, he’ll both attempt to win inside position and yank his opponent over his hip, or he’ll search for the surface journey as his foe narrows his base to keep away from the primary throw.

That’s all basic, high-percentage wrestling — what actually separates Ankalaev from the pack is what occurs after he scores a takedown. The Dagestani is a mauler from prime position, all the time looking from sufficient house to actually let his punches fly. Unlike nearly all of fighters, Ankalaev is definitely capable of generate a ton of energy whereas putting from his knees. That’s by no means simple, but it surely means he requires smaller openings to land devastating pictures.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Ankalaev has but to land a submission in his skilled profession or try one contained in the Octagon.

Is there all that a lot to investigate within the Paul Craig loss? For 14 minutes and 50 seconds, Ankalaev had little points avoiding his opponent’s submission makes an attempt and pummeling him. In the ultimate ten seconds, Craig did a fantastic job to time a punch and isolate the top and arm, instantly locking the choke in tight position. That’s his finest transfer, and Ankalaev was compelled to faucet simply earlier than the bell.

Ankalaev didn’t do a lot to defend, however he was almost immediately placed in a checkmate position. Unless one thing comparable occurs once more, I wouldn’t learn an excessive amount of into it — Paul Craig is the ultimate Light Heavyweight entice combat!

Conclusion

Ankalaev very clearly has the abilities and athleticism of a champion. Whether or not he can transfer previous the oddness, get again within the title hunt, and truly safe gold, properly … that is still to be seen.

Andrew Richardson, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt, is knowledgeable fighter who trains at Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, California. In addition to studying alongside world-class expertise, Andrew has scouted opponents and developed profitable methods for a number of of the game’s most elite fighters.

Remember that MMAmania.com will ship LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow protection of your complete UFC Vegas 84 combat card proper right here, beginning with the ESPN+ “Prelims” matches, that are scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. ET, then the remaining foremost card stability (additionally on ESPN+) at 7 p.m. ET.

To try the latest and best UFC Vegas 84: “Ankalaev vs. Walker 2” information and notes you should definitely hit up our complete occasion archive proper right here.

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