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No. 3-ranked light heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev has only one loss in his professional MMA career. The Dagestani's only defeat came against No. 8 contender Paul Craig at UFC Fight Night 127.
Craig locked in a perfect triangle choke in the dying seconds of the third round to claim a submission win over Ankalaev.
Watch Paul Craig submit Magomed Ankalaev below:
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However, since his 2018 loss to 'Bearjew', the Russian has raked up nine straight wins in the promotion. Ankalaev holds victories over 205-pound elites such as former title challengers Thiago Santos and Anthony Smith.
In his last fight at UFC 277, Ankalaev made light work of Smith, recording a second-round TKO victory against the American.
Watch Magomed Ankalaev's TKO against Anthony Smith below:
Prior to signing with the premier promotion, the Russian used to compete for World Fighting Championship Akhmat, where he is a former Akhmat Fighting Club (AFC) light heavyweight champion.
The 30-year-old currently holds a pro record of 17 wins against one loss. In his next fight, Ankalaev is scheduled to face former champion Jan Blachowicz to try and lay claim to the vacant light heavyweight strap.
According to many sportsbooks, including DraftKings, the Dagestani is being pegged as the favorite to triumph over the Polish fighter at UFC 282.
Jan Blachowicz acknowledges that Magomed Ankalaev is a "great fighter"
In a recent interview with sports reporter Helen Yee, former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz acknowledged that his UFC 282 opponent Magomed Ankalev is a well-rounded fighter.
The Polish fighter noted that the Russian even holds victories against fighters he himself has lost to. However, Blachowicz guaranteed that the Dagestani will have one more loss on his record after their fight:
"He also [fought] with great opponents. He fought against Thiago Santos, he won against him, I lost against Thiago Santos... He is [a] great fighter. You know, 17 and one! But after our fight, it's going to be 17 and two. But yeah, he is a great sportsman. Powerful, very good stand-up skills, very good wrestling, good on the ground, so I need to be ready for everything."
Watch Jan Blachowicz talk about Magomed Ankalaev below:
