- Dana White expressed his genuine disappointment on UFC 282 main event bout between Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev
- The UFC boss declared Glover Teixeira and Jamahal Hill will fight for the vacant light heavyweight strap
UFC 282 may have just made it to the record books for all the wrong reasons. Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev was the main event of the evening with the vacant light heavyweight strap on the line. Contrary to what many expected, neither of the two title contenders appeared to have given it all they got which led to an underwhelming split draw.
The #UFC282 main event ends in a split draw. pic.twitter.com/ym9PvdFgDs
— UFC (@ufc) December 11, 2022
It was nothing but a terrible fight
Sharing his thoughts at the post-fight conference, UFC president Dana White didn’t mince his words and fumed over Blachowicz and Ankalaev’s performance. In fact, the boss didn’t even bother scoring the fight.
“I don’t even know,” White explains how he scored via MMA Fighting. “I started to zone out after like f****** three rounds.”
It’s not everyday that judges slap fighters with a split draw which is why Ankalaev, who was confident he got the better of Blachowicz, didn’t appreciate it, threatening, “I don’t know if I’m going to fight for this organization again.”
Takes a hell of a man to lay it out like that. 👏
Absolute class as always from 🇵🇱 @JanBlachowicz. #UFC282 pic.twitter.com/d06fnfG8EP
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) December 11, 2022
On the other hand, White was baffled by how the Russian acted as if he didn’t see it coming. In all fairness to White, the fight didn’t strike fans as a main event bout. Let alone a title was on the line. Aside from Blachowicz’s leg kicks and Ankalaev’s two takedowns, there was nothing about it that impressed the UFC president.
“I heard Ankalaev is upset or whatever,” White said. “What do you want me to do? You got beat up the first two rounds. You took him to the ground. What are you going to do?”
The boss has made up his mind
Due to disappointement, White decided right there and then that the UFC lightweight title will remain up for grabs and it will be fought for by former champion Glover Teixeira and Jamahal Hill, who even rooted for Blachowicz to win.
“What are you going to do?” White stressed. “I thought the main event was terrible. What are you going to do? You do Glover vs. Jamahal Hill in Brazil for the vacant title. Done.”
🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨@GloverTeixeira to take on @JamahalH for the vacant LHW title at #UFC283! pic.twitter.com/JQOpACa6u4
— UFC (@ufc) December 11, 2022
Indeed, it was a poor showing by someone like Blachowicz, who is no stranger to competing for the title, having been a former champion himself. Ankalaev, meanwhile, was coming off a nine-fight winning streak with his latest victory was over a former title contender in Anthony Smith.
Let’s hope Teixeira vs. Hill would be a far more entertaining fight.
