This was Ankalaev’s 13th fight in the UFC and 11th victory in the most popular MMA promotion. This time, Brazilian Johnny Walker had to fall from a height of 195 centimeters when Ankalaev reached for his head with a right hand. In 20 professional fights, Ankalaev lost only once, but managed to achieve a painful draw – a year ago the Russian fought for the title with Jan Blachowicz, and the judges did not were unable to determine the winner. Ankalaev now sits at No. 3 in the light heavyweight rankings, and it appears he wants the belt even more. Coach Sukhrab Magomedov says:
— The most obvious question: how do you rate the fight between Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker?
“It seems to me that the fight started very difficult, including for Magomed. But in the second round, as usual, he pulled himself together and did his job very well. This happens to him. Excitement.
— What was difficult about Walker’s job and what worried you the most? Low blows? Back punches? Kicks to the head?
— The low blows didn’t bother me, because Maga and I practiced defense against them. Rather, it was Johnny’s unconventionality that was unsettling. How he threw punches from different angles. And he could hit hard, not knock out, but shock.
— Is it difficult to find sparring partners who would work in the same way? In Russia, everyone fights in a more or less academic way anyway.
– Yes, but during the last fights, Alexander Volkov helped us a lot. He tried to improvise, tried to do something that Walker does, and he helped us a lot.
– Their last names are similar…
– By the way, yes. Only there are a few more Wolves, of course. And most importantly, he tried to deliver non-standard blows, back punches, unusual kicks. Worked exactly the same as Walker. I repeat: Volkov helped us very well.
—How did you start communicating with him?
— We met in a gym in Las Vegas, where we went to jiu-jitsu together, and since the last trip our communication began, we started working out together. In fact, I was very surprised by his simplicity: a very simple guy, I really liked him as a person, always ready to help. To be honest, I will always return the favor if he suddenly needs my help.
— Magomed said that it is difficult to get used to a two-meter opponent. Were you surprised when you first saw them practice?
— Magomed still boxes with heavyweights. In Makhachkala, when we do sparring, guys from the over ninety-three kilo category always come. The same Shamil Gaziev, Rizvan Kuniev, Ali Isaev – they all helped us.
— During the fight on December 10, 2022, Jan Blachowicz brought down Magomed’s leg with low blows. It seemed now that you were better prepared to face them. Have you done a lot of training on kick defense over the past year?
— We worked, but I think Magomed still doesn’t defend very well.
— What do you think works best to protect against low blows: passing through, setting up shields, or getting ahead? I’ve heard about all three of these options from different fighters.
— It all depends on the distance at which we work: we can move away, we can put up a shield. If you have a short distance, you can’t go back, you have to stick to it. If your legs are prepared, an oncoming shield can be very painful for your opponent.
—Is Magomed limping now?
– No, we don’t seem to have any problems. There may be some bruising, but he’s not limping. It’s nothing serious.
— Magomed ended up hitting with a right hand from mid-range in the clinch. Was this a work in progress?
— We worked on changing stance in combat. So that he changes it after a few hits. And so he can hit with his back hand on his hand, but they did it a little differently. I thought he would hit such a shot at a longer distance, but it turned out the way it did.
— What overall tactics did you have for this fight?
– Apply pressure, kick him, throw front kicks to the body and start your work with these punches. Attack more, work more as number one.
— Nikita Krylov defeated Walker through wrestling, but took some pretty serious damage and was quite tired. Did this tactic seem a little risky and energy-consuming to you?
“It seems to me that it is not difficult for Magomed to compete. He can do it easily and does a lot of wrestling in the gym, but lately he really likes stand-up fights. Magomed was in good shape and I don’t think he would have been too tired from the fight. For us, the struggle does not consume energy.
— Magomed has no technical victories in 20 fights. How often can he catch someone in the gym with a triangle or choke?
— He doesn’t make triangles with his feet, but with his hands, yes. It can be stifling, to be honest. Sometimes I myself don’t understand why he doesn’t fight, because in the gym he fights very well. He has a good level in freestyle wrestling and grappling. He has good control. And those who fought him said he had a very good fight. It’s true, I don’t understand why he doesn’t fight.
— The main difference from their previous fight in Abu Dhabi is that this fight was scheduled for five rounds. Who benefited from this?
“Of course it was more profitable for us.” Johnny runs out of steam after the first or second round. But Magomed can fight calmly for five rounds.
— In Walker’s corner was Conor McGregor’s famous trainer, John Kavanagh. Did you shake hands?
— I even posted a photo on social networks. After the fight we sat down. We had a good conversation. So we separated normally.
— How does Magomed himself react to victories? We always consider him a very modest and calm person. Could it be that he reacts a little differently in front of you?
– Yes, of course, he is a little more cheerful. He is happy. In fact, the fight started out tough for him. He himself admits that at first he couldn’t pull himself together. Walker was moving around a lot, throwing strange punches. But Magi has this thing where he aims and then starts working. I think he has a little anxiety before fights. It’s like the World Championships: the closer you get to the final, the more excited you get. I think it’s urgent.
— Magomed said he would fight for the belt at UFC 300 on April 13, but it turns out Ramadan will end four days before UFC 300. Is it possible to prepare by fasting?
— I think it all depends on the opponent. If it’s a title fight, then we will have to prepare normally, and we will prepare. In general, everything depends on Mohammed’s mood. He is capable of many things. I see what he does in the gym and I can tell you he can do a lot of things. It seems to me that at the moment a little emotional stress is bothering him. This puts a bit of pressure on him and on our athletes in general.
— Do you understand how to build a training process during Ramadan?
— We try to go to training closer to the evening, closer to the end of the fast. And immediately after training we break the fast, eat food, drink water. At such a time, I would simply work more on technique and tactics, I would not do intensive training, I would not work on physics much. I wouldn’t do any strength training in a month like this.
— Do you already have news of the next fight?
– Not yet. You know, even at the last moment, everything can be changed and reconsidered. It seems that some kind of connection has already begun. Teixeira (trainer of the current UFC champion in the weight category Ankalaev – ) wrote something, Magomed wrote something… A kind of skirmish took place on the Internet in any case.
— What do you think of the current champion Alex Pereira?
“He’s a good striker, but he doesn’t have the fight.” If he gets transferred to the ground, he won’t be able to do anything about it. Maybe he’s working on his wrestling, but you don’t get good wrestling in a year or two. Neither on the ground nor upstairs. This can be easily translated, I think. He is dangerous in stand-up, but he works more at short and medium range, it’s the K-1 style. The work there is a little different. And Magomed, when he works, manages to do it from a long distance. He hits his left side very short. If you keep him at a distance, if you put pressure on him yourself, if you hit more front kicks, you can transfer him calmly.
— Do you have any doubts about Ankalaev’s transfer of Pereira?
“I think if Magomed wants it, he will transfer a lot of people from the light heavyweight category. I don’t see anyone who can compete with him in wrestling. Maybe you can name someone, but I don’t know. Just like I don’t see a wrestler who can translate.
— In other words, Pereira could become the first person in Magomed Ankalaev’s career to whom he will receive a welcome?
– By the way, maybe yes. This would work well.
— Who can you prepare with for Alex Pereira?
— I can’t name such strong Thais, but in Makhachkala you can always find guys. There are good Muay Thai schools, so you can find one.
—What kind of fight would you like to have now?
“I’ve wanted a title fight for a long time, but nothing depends on my desire.
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Source : MatchTV

I am Ashley Ortiz and I am a professional journalist working for Athletistic. My specialty is in sports journalism, particularly boxing. I have written articles for some of the most renowned publications on the subject, and my work has been featured across both print and digital media platforms.