The next UFC fight to cover is this very intriguing light heavyweight matchup between No.2 ranked Magomed Ankalaev and No.7 ranked Johnny Walker. The winner of this fight will for sure be in the mix for the next title shot after the vacant title is fought for in November.
Ankalaev vs. WalkerPicks
UFC Pick: Pick the over 1.5 round total
Continue reading for a closer look at this awesome matchup and an Ankalaev vs Walker prediction ahead of making your UFC bets this weekend.
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker Information
Magomed Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker
Location of the game: Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Date and Time: Saturday, October 21. 2:00 PM ET main card start
How to Watch: ESPN+ PPV
Last Fight Record
- Ankalaev is looking to bounce back from a lackluster performance in a DRAW with Jan Blachowicz last December for the vacant title.
- Walker is coming off a big unanimous decision win over Anthony Smith in May.
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker Betting Analysis
Magomed Ankalaev
Ankalaev is one of many Dagestani fighters on this UFC 294 card and has a professional MMA record of 17-1-1, with nine wins coming by TKO/KO. He has one of the most decorated combat sports resumes prior to the UFC out of anyone.
Ankalaev is a Master of Sport in amateur MMA–winning three gold medals at the WMMAA World Championships from 2013 to 2016 and seven gold medals in the Russian Championships over his amateur career. He also has a gold medal in the Combat Sambo Cup of Dagestan, achieving his Master’s in Sport for Combat Sambo.
Now in the UFC, Ankalav is listed at 6’3” with a 75” reach and has been mostly dominant. He averages 3.55 significant strikes landed at 52% accuracy and only 2.15 significant strikes absorbed per minute in the octagon.
He will also be a stingy defensive wrestler at any moment, sporting an 86% takedown defense over his UFC tenure.
MAGOMED ANKALAEV FIGHT WEEK.#UFC294 | @AnkalaevM pic.twitter.com/ldw9YR6OTy
— Combat Sports Today 📰 (@CSTodayNews) October 17, 2023
Johnny Walker
Walker is a Brazilian mixed martial artist with a professional MMA record of 21-7 at the age of 31. He has an impressive 19 total finishes in his pro career, including 16 by TKO/KO.
The No. 7 ranked light heavyweight now trains at the famous SBG Ireland gym, where Conor McGregor does most of his work with legendary coach John Kavanaugh.
Walker is a freak-of-nature athlete to see in MMA–listed at 6’6” with an 82” reach and seemingly can jump out over the octagon cage if he wanted to. While in the UFC, he averages 3.85 significant strikes landed and 2.58 significant strikes absorbed per minute.
Johnny Walker suggests Magomed Ankalaev needs a “better personality” to “make people want to see him fight.” #UFC294 pic.twitter.com/hr6yI4Gljz
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) October 18, 2023
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker Betting Preview
The Ankalaev vs Walker prediction is very tough to make, even though there is a clear favorite in the betting lines. Making UFC picks is very difficult to do at this high of a level in the sport, but let’s take a closer look at the tape on both guys and preview the betting lines.
According to the odds, Ankalaev is coming in as the -375 betting favorite over the +285 Johnny Walker. These odds are the way they are because of how dominant Ankalaev has been outside of his mistake against Paul Craig and his lackluster world title performance last year.
Ankalaev’s Grounded Approach vs. Walker’s Explosive Style
While watching the tape, it’s like comparing two completely different athletes. Ankalaev’s feet are strongly rooted into the canvas, and his approach is very measured. Walker has slowed down his approach a ton and has improved a ton, but he still looks like he’s waiting to jump 40” into the air and knee someone’s head off at any moment.
They both have a lot of power and can finish the fight with one clean strike landing. Ankalaev will switch stances, and he really likes to counter his opponents with a lightning-quick left hand.
Walker has been developing his style over the last few fights to use all of his athletic ability in the most efficient way. He throws wild kicking techniques and is very difficult to hit with his unorthodox style, but he leaves his chin open a lot of the time.
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker Betting Prediction
This is going to be one of the most interesting fights to watch and bet on this weekend at UFC 294. The official Ankalaev vs Walker prediction is that Ankalaev will get his hand raised. He is going to have a great game plan and be the smarter fighter.
The -375 line is tough to win off of. But you can pick the over 1.5-round total. There’s a good chance this fight will be a slow starter due to their recent performances.
- UFC Pick: Pick the over 1.5 round total
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