Magomed Ankalaev has fired back at Johnny Walker over recent claims of their first meeting.
This Saturday night, Ankalaev and Walker will get a chance to settle things in the main event of UFC Vegas 84. In their first meeting at UFC 294 back in October 2023, the action was cut short after Ankalaev landed an illegal knee. Fans torched the Octagon doctor online for stopping the fight when Walker immediately protested. Things also got heated between Ankalaev and Walker.
Magomed Ankalaev Feels Johnny Walker Looked For A Way Out
In a recent interview with Shakiel Mahjouri of CBS Sports, Magomed Ankalaev expressed his belief that Johnny Walker sought an out in their first meeting. He also denied the claim that he threw the illegal knee intentionally.
“Yeah, of course he’s gonna say whatever he has to say because in that moment he basically dropped the fight,” Anaklaev said through a translator. “He didn’t wanna fight anymore, and it’s not the first time a strike like that has been thrown in the UFC. There’s been other moments where somebody got hit with a knee of that sort and then got up and continued the fight, but he pretty much knew that he had to get out at that point, so that’s why he dropped the fight. So, of course he’s gonna say whatever he needs to hear in order to make him look better.”
Ankalaev is relieved to know he’ll get a chance to right the wrong at UFC Vegas 84 inside the UFC Apex. His first meeting against Walker was rough, as Ankalaev hoped to rebound after a disappointing draw against Jan Blachowicz in their late 2022 title fight.
Walker knows that a win would put him closer than ever to a UFC title opportunity. We’ll see who gets his way once UFC Vegas 84 concludes.
Here’s the full SHAK MMA video interview with Magomed Ankalaev:
