Russian fighter Ivan Shtyrkov said that Magomed Ankalaev has not yet received a light heavyweight title shot in the UFC due to the league not wanting to promote Dagestan athletes.
“I have already said that Magomed is confident, but slowly going to the top. It takes him more time than others. But let’s not forget about the UFC policy towards Dagestan athletes. Khabib Nurmagomedov was already a champion, Islam Makhachev is on the way, and Ankalaev is also on the way. Surely the leadership of the championship is clutching its head, realizing how many domestic fighters can take titles in the near future. Therefore, do not rush to promote them to the top. It seems to me that in the next fight Ankalaev will fight Jiri Prochazka. He will be allowed to fight, and if successful, will be allowed to fight for the belt. In any case, it will not work for a long time, ”Shtyrkov quoted News.ru as saying.
Ankalaev has been with the UFC since 2018. In the first match in the league, the 29-year-old athlete was defeated, after which he won 7 victories in a row.
