Magomed Ankalaev overcome one of the more difficult hurdles in MMA at UFC Fight Night 282 by rebounding from a devastating title loss.
He won't be revered for it, however, because despite a largely one-sided performance where he was the primary aggressor, Ankalaev (22-2-1 MMA, 13-2-1 UFC) didn't leave a feeling of satisfaction with his fifth-round TKO of Bogdan Guskov (18-4-1 MMA, 4-2-1 UFC) on Saturday at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
Instead, he got claims from fellow light heavyweight contenders that the division needs to be "saved" and Ankalaev is not the threat his No. 1 ranking represents.
The fight itself was not a thriller. Most can admit that. But Ankalaev was in a tough spot. He needed to get the job done after losing the belt
in unsettling fashion against Alex Pereira in their October rematch at UFC 320. But the fact Guskov was a late replacement and was reluctant to engage in the fight led to what happened. Could it have been more exciting? Sure. But in the end Ankalaev still got the stoppage, so let's not be overly harsh.
Once the dust settles from this event, Ankalaev will still have his top ranking and can claim that no one in the current 205-pound weight class holds a win over him. He's a tough fight for anyone, whether it's the champion Carlos Ulberg when he comes back from injury, or a potential interim title bout with Paulo Costa, as both proposed in the aftermath of the card.
Although he probably deserves to challenge Ulberg (13-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) once the champ is healthy, he also said he doesn't want to wait. If UFC makes an interim belt, he should be part of that fight. But if not, it's entirely possible the original headliner of this card with Khalil Rountree Jr. gets remade.
Ankalaev vs. Rountree Jr. (14-7 MMA, 10-7 UFC) is still an important fight for the weight class that doesn't muck up the path of a fresh name like Costa (16-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC), who if he can reach a new contract with the UFC, has a good chance of getting Ulberg or a former champ like Jiri Prochazka (32-6-1 MMA, 6-3 UFC).
It makes sense, and allows the chance for some movement within the top five while the titleholder is away.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Mick Maynard's Shoes: What's next for Magomed Ankalaev after UFC Abu Dhabi win?
