“There was a month left before the fight, and the shoulder was not working yet” – Ankalaev on the draw in the title fight with Blachowicz

Russian MMA fighter Magomed Ankalayev spoke to about the title fight against Jan Blachowicz which ended in a draw.

Ankalaev fought with the Polish athlete at the UFC 282 tournament on December 10, 2022 for the vacant champion belt in the under 93 kg category. Following the results of five rounds, the fight was recorded as a draw. This was the first fight since September 2018 in which the Russian was unable to win, breaking a 9-fight winning streak.

– There were reasons. I didn’t prepare much for this fight. It was supposed to be postponed, but it turned out that I was offered a title fight, I couldn’t refuse and walked out. What happened happened. I concluded and came back stronger than I was. I think we will now show a different level.

– What was wrong?

“You don’t say things like that after a fight, but I’ve had health problems. My coaches and managers know this. My only option was to go out and fight. I went out and did everything I could. My shoulder was injured. With a month left before the fight, the shoulder still wasn’t working. I kept hoping it would get better, but there were two weeks, a week left… Eventually the shoulder pain went away and I went to that fight.

— Nikita Krylov said he fought with you because of a shoulder injury. Can you say you understand it and don’t take it as an excuse?

– I understand Nikita Krylov, it was in this fight that I had the same injury, the same shoulder. Now I’ve healed all my wounds, I’m back, I’ve had enough time. I think now there will be a different level,” Ankalaev told .

On October 21, the Russian, fighting in the light heavyweight category, will face Johnny Walker during the UFC 294 tournament.

Live broadcasts of mixed martial arts tournaments can be seen on and Match! Fighter”, as well as on the sites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.