The fight between Johnny Walker and Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 294 was expected to be exciting, but it turned into a no-contest, which went down earlier today (Sat., Oct. 21, 2023) from inside Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The doctor sitting near the cage decided that Walker couldn’t keep fighting.
At the start, Walker tried to trick Ankalaev with some moves, but Ankalaev didn’t fall for them. Ankalaev missed a big punch but then kicked high and scored. Walker aimed at Ankalaev’s lower legs early in the fight, maybe that was his plan. Ankalaev hit Walker with a strong kick to the midsection and a shot to the head, exciting the crowd. Walker, who’s 6’6″ tall, used his height effectively and acted like he was hurt from a body shot, then surprised with a flying knee as Ankalaev came in.
But, it didn’t go as planned. Ankalaev used the situation to his advantage and turned things around, pushing Walker against the cage. Walker tried to stand up, and while he was still on one knee, Ankalaev accidentally kneed him in the chin. Walker seemed okay, but after talking to the ringside doctor, the same one who made a similar decision with Victor Henry, the fight was stopped too early.
Both Walker and Ankalaev were clearly confused. In fact, Walker tried to keep fighting with Ankalaev, even with all the officials in the cage, to show he could continue. The Russian also wanted to get back in, but they were separated quickly. The tension kept rising, and UFC CEO Dana White had to step into the Octagon to calm things down.
In the end, the fight was declared a “No Contest.” It seems like Ankalaev might be unlucky when it comes to title contender eliminator matches.
Watch the highlights below:
Disappointing end to this one.
Ankalaev vs Walker is ruled a No Contest after the ref calls a stop due to an unintentional foul. #UFC294 pic.twitter.com/OmDxbc2W1x
— UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023
O momento em que o médico interrompe a luta entre 🇷🇺 Magomed Ankalaev e 🇧🇷 Johnny Walker no UFC 294, agora há pouco, em Abu Dhabi. A luta terminou sem resultado porque o golpe que causou o dano no brasileiro foi uma joelhada ilegal. #ufcbr https://t.co/WZH2fvORpi
— MMA Melotto (@MMAmelotto) October 21, 2023
The fight's been called! ❌
Ankalaev and Walker have to be separated as the bout is declared a no contest. #UFC294 pic.twitter.com/DnVNTsa5rL
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) October 21, 2023
Immediate rematch? #UFC294 pic.twitter.com/lRghRZW07o
— UFC (@ufc) October 21, 2023
