UFC President Dana White didn’t actually score the UFC 282 main event, because he said he tuned out after watching a less-than-thrilling affair between Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev.
The five-round bout ended in a draw. This means that the UFC’s light heavyweight title is vacant. Former champion Jiri prochazka has relinquished his belt after suffering a severe shoulder injury. He was unable to compete on Saturday.
White didn’t respond to Blachowicz and Ankalaev at the UFC postfight press conference. The same was true for how the fight ended.
“I don’t even know,” White said when asked how he scored the fight. “I started to zone out after like f****** three rounds.”
Ankalaev was distraught after the decision was read in the cage and said “I don’t know if I’m going to fight for this organization again.” He later added he might return to “take what’s ours,” but it appeared another immediate shot at the title wasn’t in his immediate future.
White heard about Ankalaev’s discontent toward the decision and didn’t understand why there was so much surprise with the split draw.
“I hear Ankalaev upset or something,” White stated. “What do you want me to do? He was beaten up in the first round. He was taken to the ground. What are you going to do?”
White was angry at the main event for many reasons. He didn’t care about the outcome, but the performance of Ankalaev or Blachowicz. This is what eventually led him to call for Glover Teixeira to fight Jamahal Hill at UFC 283, Brazil. The vacant light heavyweight title was up for grabs.
” What are you planning to do?” White stated. “I thought the main event was terrible. You’re going to what? For the vacant title, you will be Glover vs. Jamahal in Brazil. Done.”
It is still unknown what Blachowicz and Ankalaev will do next. However, a rematch may be possible. It just seems unlikely that Ankalaev would be able to win a title.
Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/12/11/23503787/dana-white-rips-terrible-ufc-282-main-event-between-jan-blachowicz-and-magomed-ankalaev?rand=96749
