Mixed Martial Arts Weekend Watch & Bet

Match information

Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker will run things back at UFC Vegas 84 this weekend (Sat., Jan. 13, 2024) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Russian Light Heavyweight contender has been one of the unluckiest fighters in mixed martial arts (MMA) since 2022. Caught up in the mess that has surrounded the promotion’s 205-pound title, Ankalaev’s vacant championship collision against Jan Blachowicz resulted in a questionable split draw in UFC 282’s main event in Dec. 2022. Ankalaev. 31, followed up the performance against Walker, who he barely fought after three minutes of action led to a “No Contest” via illegal knee at UFC 294 in Oct. 2023. “After that shot, he was actually the one trying to tell me that was an illegal blow — so he was conscious enough and in his mind enough to say, ‘Hey dude, that was illegal,’” Ankalaev said at UFC Vegas 84 media day (watch it here). “And then when they stopped the fight all of a sudden he started playing this whole thing of like, ‘Oh, I can’t fight anymore’ or whatever. But I’m pretty sure that he was basically just trying to throw the fight because he seemed to be just fine.” The Ankalaev vs. Walker rematch has even bigger potential ramifications within the division now that the main event spotlight is over it. Outside of his previous two bouts, Ankalaev has been on a complete tear with nine straight wins (17-1-1, 1 no contest). Walker, on the other hand, quietly rides a three-fight win streak (21-7, 1 no contest) before the first Ankalaev encounter, making the winner of the rematch a very possible next contender for the champion, Alex Pereira.