ABU DHABI – Magomed Ankalaev could have been given his title shot after UFC 308.
Ankalaev has not lost any of his last 13 fights; he defeated Aleksandar Rakic, 14-5 MMA, 6-4 UFC, via unanimous decision on the main card held on Saturday at the Etihad Arena.
Ankalaev (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) has been eager for a title shot at the 205-pound division champion Alex Pereira, he called out the latter telling him to stop evading him in his post-victory speech. The UFC CEO was recently asked about Ankalaev’s bout, and White clearly was not disappointed.
“He looked good,” White said to the media including MMA Junkie at the UFC 308 post fight media scrum. “He absolutely looked great.”
Ankalaev was overlooked for a title shot when Pereira will face No 8 ranked Khalil Rountree at UFC 307 earlier this month. Pereira held his belt by securing yet another knockout ending, and toying with Ankalaev before UFC 308, saying that he hopes the latter would defeat Rakic and make him wait longer. He also referred to it as the boring style.
White has even given Ankalaev his word that he will turn up next which doesn’t really pose any problems for the latter.
“Yes,” replied White when asked about the subject, over the top of his mask, “I would agree that Ankalaev is in that No. 1 contender’s position.”
