Magomed ankalaev had been training in the gym and his manager offered him to fight Glover Teixeira at UFC 282.. After a few minutes, the manager called him back to inform him that Jan Blachowicz was now available but the belt was not yet up for grabs.
Ankalaev, seated at the UFC 282 media conference dais, celebrated his success.
“The day has finally arrived, the day we waited for for so long,” he said via translator. We will prove what we’re worth on Saturday. We’ll come take what is rightfully ours .”
Ankalaev has jumped through several hoops to get to this point, most notably a quartet of bookings against Ion Cutelaba after their first meeting ended in controversy. Ankalaev ended the rivalry with a knockout win, putting him on the path to the title. To be on the right track, he needed four wins more, including two victories over former title rivals.
One could understand if Ankalaev lost heart from waiting so long, but the 30-year-old fighter said he stayed the course.
“I basically did step by step, I always fought whoever they put in front of me, I didn’t pick my opponents, and I pretty much knew that at some point, they would not have a choice but to give me a title fight,” he said.
His fight with Blachowicz, an ex-champ in the UFC 282 was an example of a fight that could be considered unofficially a title eliminator. An impressive win would have guaranteed him a shot. Now that winner will be considered the UFC’s best light heavyweight after an injury forced Jiri Prochazka to give up the belt.
” “Obviously, the stakes now are higher and I feel more motivated,” Ankalaev stated. “I have a goal that I’m going to. This .”
has been a hard task.
Blachowicz has a new campaign in the octagon to take back the belt from Teixeira. After beating Aleksandr Rakic in a bout, he now considers himself the possessor of “legendary Polish strength” which he will use to beat Ankalaev at T-Mobile Arena Las Vegas.
” I can’t speak highly of Blachowicz, as an opponent,” Ankalaev stated. This fight is my dream. “He’s an amazing fighter and a great man, but he’s great.” This is my opportunity. I will do whatever I have to do to make sure I come out of that octagon with a title.
” I don’t care about the legendary power of Poland or any other thing. From the very beginning, I will dominate the battle. I want to make sure I am the one who is the aggressor. To walk away with the title .”
, I’ll do everything I can.
Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/12/8/23498834/magomed-ankalaev-reacts-to-ufc-282-title-shot-we-will-come-and-take-whats-rightfully-ours?rand=96749
