Magomed
Ankalaev will attempt to extend his winning streak to nine when
he locks horns with former title challenger Anthony
Smith at UFC 277.
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MMAjunkie.com was first to report the light heavyweight
booking. UFC 277 doesn’t yet have a location or venue. The card is
also expected to include a heavyweight showdown between Sergei
Pavlovich and Derrick
Lewis.
Ankalaev has emerged as one of the division’s top contenders by
virtue of an unbeaten run that began in September 2018. The
29-year-old Dagestani was successful in his first main event
appearance, as he outpointed Thiago
Santos at UFC Fight Night 203 this past March. Ankalaev’s lone
career defeat in 17 outings came to Paul Craig
in his Octagon debut at UFC Fight Night 127.
Smith challenged for 205-pound gold at UFC 235, dropping a
unanimous decision to Jon Jones in
March 2019. “Lionheart” is currently on a three-fight winning
streak in UFC competition after besting Devin Clark,
Jimmy
Crute and Ryan Spann in
succession.