Magomed
Ankalaev and Johnny
Walker will attempt to settle some unfinished business in the
headliner of an Ultimate Fighting Championship event on Jan.
13.
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John Kavanagh, Walker’s coach, announced the pairing on“The MMA Hour,”
and it was later confirmed by
MMAjunkie.com. The card hasn’t been announced by the Las
Vegas-based promotion, so it doesn’t have an official location or
venue as of yet.
The first meeting between Ankalaev and Walker ended in
controversial fashion at UFC 294. After Ankalaev landed an illegal
knee on his opponent in the opening stanza, a cageside physician
was called in to examine Walker. After a series of questions, the
fight was waved off — much to the displeasure of both
combatants.
It was the second straight disappointing outcome for Ankalaev, who
battled Jan
Blachowicz to a majority draw with the vacant light heavyweight
title on the line at UFC 282. As a result, the belt remained
vacant, and both Ankalaev and Blachowicz were bypassed for the next
title shot. Prior to those two fights, the Gorets Fight Team member
had won nine consecutive bouts in UFC competition.
Walker, meanwhile, had bested Ion
Cutelaba, Paul Craig
and Anthony
Smith in succession before the no contest. The Brazilian has
endured his ups and downs in the Octagon, winning his first three
appearances inside of a round before dropping four of his next five
fights. He owns a 7-4 record under the UFC banner overall.