UFC light heavyweight Magomed Ankalaev was thrilled to get the call up for UFC 282. Ankalaev will face former champion Jan Blachowicz in the main event of this weekend’s pay-per-view, and could not be more excited. Ankalaev, who has not endured a loss since his 2018 UFC debut against Paul Craig, is confident heading into the fight, as he declared at the UFC 282 pre-fight media day.
“The day has finally arrived, the day we waited for for so long. We will show what we are worth this Saturday. We will come and take what’s rightfully ours.
Ankalaev: “We Will Come and Take What’s Rightfully Ours”
I basically did step by step, I always fought whoever they put in front of me, I didn’t pick my opponents, and I pretty much knew that at some point, they would not have a choice but to give me a title fight.
Ankalaev conceded that fighting for a UFC belt is a bigger deal than any of his other fights to date, but he has faith in his training and his own abilities.
“Of course, the stakes are much higher now, and I’m more motivated. I have a goal that I’m going to. I’ve trained really hard for this.”
In Jan Blachowicz, Magomed Ankalaev is undoubtedly facing his toughest opponent yet. Blachowicz’ legendary “Polish power” has floored opponents all across his career, but Ankalaev is no slouch himself. Magomed Ankalaev boasts ten career knockouts, and expects to dominate the fight from beginning to end.
“I can’t say anything bad about Blachowicz as an opponent. He’s a great fighter, a great guy, but this fight is my dream. This is my opportunity. I will do whatever I have to do to make sure I come out of that octagon with a title.
I’m not really worried about legendary Polish power or anything else. I want to dominate the fight from the beginning to the end. I want to make sure I am the one who is the aggressor. I will do whatever I have to do to walk out with that title.”
If Ankalaev emerges victorious at UFC 282, he will become the third Dagestani fighter to claim a UFC title. Khabib Nurmagomedov was the first, and his protege Islam Makhachev currently wears the UFC lightweight belt his mentor once held. Ankalaev, although he does not train alongside his countrymen Nurmagomedov and Makhachev, may well join the ranks of Dagestani UFC champions.
Do you think Magomed Ankalaev can overcome Jan Blachowicz? Let us know in the comments.
