Magomed Anakalaev beats Rakic, calls out Alex Pereira

ABU DHABI – Alex Pereira may need his subsequent title challenger.

At UFC 308, Magomed Ankalaev added one other victory to a resume seen by many to already be title shot-worthy when he defeated Aleksandar Rakic by unanimous choice (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). The sunshine heavyweight bout befell on the principle card at Etihad Area on Yas Island.

As he referenced within the lead as much as the bout, Ankalaev (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) didn’t really feel he wanted a end with a view to earn a championship crack. Throughout Saturday’s combat he utilized all quarter-hour to search out victory.

It was a basic Ankalaev efficiency filled with technical hanging, kicks, and clinch work. The hole between him and Rakic (14-5 MMA, 6-4 UFC) wasn’t massive, however it was evident and constant.

After the combat, Ankalaev pointed to Rakic for the shortage of motion within the bout and voiced his opinion that Rakic was the one evading exchanges.

“I feel I’ve achieved all the pieces to earn the title shot,” Anakalaev mentioned. “I’d like to speak to Alex. I’d like to inform him cease operating away from me. We must always combat. That’s what everyone needs to see.”

Ankalaev has not misplaced in 13 fights since his UFC debut in March 2018. Many followers and media members predicted Ankalaev could be Pereira’s most up-to-date title problem, however the promotion elected to go together with Khalil Rountree as an alternative.

Coming into the combat, Ankalaev mentioned the UFC advised him a title shot would include victory, although UFC CEO Dana White has but to publicly affirm that.

In defeat, Rakic falls right into a three-fight skid. He entered the bout off TKO losses to Jan Blachowicz and Jiri Prochazka.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 308 outcomes embrace:

• Magomed Ankalaev def. Aleksandar Rakic by way of unanimous choice (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Lerone Murphy def. Dan Ige by way of unanimous choice (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Shara Magomedov def. Armen Petrosyan by way of TKO (spinning backfist) – Spherical 2, 4:52
• Ibo Aslan def. Rafael Cerqueira by way of TKO (punches) – Spherical 1, 0:51
• Geoff Neal def. Rafael dos Anjos by way of TKO (damage) – Spherical 1, 1:30
• Mateusz Rebecki def. Myktybek Orolbai by way of cut up choice (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Abus Magomedov def. Brunno Ferreira by way of submission (arm-triangle choke) – Spherical 3, 3:14
• Kennedy Nzechukwu def. Chris Barnett by way of TKO (strikes) – Spherical 1, 4:27
• Farid Basharat def. Victor Hugo by way of unanimous choice (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
• Ismail Naurdiev def. Bruno Silva by way of unanimous choice (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Rinat Fakhretdinov def. Carlos Leal by way of unanimous choice (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 308.