Magomed Ankalaev has heard the criticism of his UFC Abu Dhabi combat in opposition to Bodgan Guskov, however he refuses to take blame for it.
Ankalaev completed Guskov within the fifth spherical of their mild heavyweight headliner this previous Saturday. Guskov was broadly panned for not benefiting from his short-notice alternative, filling in for Khalil Rountree. On the opposite aspect, Ankalaev has additionally gotten flak for taking part in it secure and never attempting to complete Guskov far sooner.
“Huge Ank” spoke to Purple Nook MMA, and he mentioned that he merely had a job to do and it was successful.
“Whether or not the combat was boring or not wasn’t as much as me,” Ankalaev mentioned. “I used to be urgent ahead. I needed to combat, however my opponent stayed on the again foot and saved shifting away. So I made a decision to wrestle and end him on the bottom.”
Ankalaev then turned his consideration to Paulo Costa, who just lately made his return to the 205-pound division. “Borrachinha” has been has been calling for a giant combat at mild heavyweight, however Ankalaev isn’t satisfied that he desires the smoke.
“Costa didn’t carry out nicely in his division, then moved up, gained one combat, and received loud. If he’s prepared to come back ahead, we’ll be ready for him. But when he’s going to run and shrink back, I see no level in preventing him.”
After shedding the UFC Gentle Heavyweight Championship in a rematch in opposition to Alex Pereira, Ankalaev is on the street again to the title. Whereas Daniel Cormier believes so many modifications have occurred within the weight class that Ankalaev might get one other title combat, others really feel he ought to have at the least another combat.
In the intervening time, reigning 205-pound champion Carlos Ulberg is recovering from a torn ACL. His purpose is to return in early 2027, however time will inform if the UFC brass books an interim title bout earlier than 2026 involves a detailed.
Do you set a number of the blame for the lackluster UFC Abu Dhabi primary occasion on Magomed Ankalaev, or is it totally on Bogdan Guskov? Share your ideas within the feedback under.
