Magomed Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker Reportedly Set for UFC 294
Another blockbuster bout is reported to be added to UFC 294 card as Magomed Ankalaev is expected to face Johnny Walker.
The report regarding this top-ranked light heavyweight bout comes from Vestnik MMA which says an insider has confirmed Walker to be Ankalaev’s opponent at UFC 294, but a formal announcement from UFC has not come yet.
Magomed Ankalaev is coming off a hard-fought split draw against Jan Blachowicz at UFC 282 for the vacant light heavyweight bout. Most of the MMA media analysts scored the bout in Ankalaev’s favor but judges saw Blachowicz doing enough in the initial rounds to secure a draw. Ankalaev has been rumored to be recovering from an unknown injury since then.
Magomed Ankalaev returns to put his 10-fight unbeaten streak on the line vs. Johnny Walker.#UFC294 | Full story: https://t.co/JZFcRSKkZq pic.twitter.com/2TM247Q87b
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 31, 2023
Ankalaev remains unbeaten in his last 10 bouts since his loss to Paul Craig in the last minute of his UFC debut back in 2018. His victims include Ion Cuțelaba(twice), Nikita Krylov, Thiago Santos and Anthony Smith.
Johnny Walker has bounced back from 3 losses in 4 bouts to be on a 3-fights winning streak now. He has beaten Cuțelaba, Paul Craig and Anthony Smith in his last 3 bouts. The bouts against Smith came in May this year.
UFC 294 is set for October 21, 2023, in Abu Dhabi. It already has a stacked card with Islam Makhachev defending lightweight title against Charles Oliveria. Paulo Costa vs Khamzat Chimaev is also on the main card along with another middleweight in Nassourdine Imavov vs Ikram Aliskerov.
