Ankalaev’s Call for a New Opponent
Magomed Ankalaev, a contender in the light heavyweight division, has expressed interest in fighting Paulo Costa in Abu Dhabi. This comes as Ankalaev seeks to remain active while the current champion, Carlos Ulberg, recovers from a knee injury. Ankalaev recently secured a victory against Bogdan Guskov, finishing his opponent with ground and pound.
Following his win, Ankalaev noted that he is already the number one contender in his division. He acknowledged that the champion’s return timeline is uncertain and stated his desire to stay active. He mentioned seeing or hearing that Costa had made comments in his direction.
Ankalaev questioned Costa’s intentions, wondering if the remarks were meant to provoke him or gain his attention. He suggested that if the champion’s absence is prolonged, a fight with Costa could be a possibility, provided Costa does not avoid the confrontation.
Costa’s Challenge and Ankalaev’s Response
Costa publicly voiced his frustrations regarding the booking of the final fight on his current contract. He implied that the UFC might be delaying his last fight to prevent him from exploring the free agent market. Despite past perceptions of a limited market, several organizations are reportedly willing to offer Costa significant sums to headline events.
Given the current status of the UFC light heavyweight division, retaining Costa could be a strategic move for the organization. If a deal cannot be reached, pairing him with Ankalaev, who is known for his toughness but sometimes criticized for less engaging fights, aligns with potential strategies. Costa appears receptive to the challenge.
After Ankalaev’s recent victory, Costa declared on social media, “By the power of the Almighty, I shall save this weight class from monotony and boredom.” This statement was a reaction to Ankalaev’s performance against Guskov, which some found to be unentertaining.
Ankalaev responded to Costa’s comments, stating, “You talk a lot, but we both know you never want to fight me.” He added, “If you’re a real man, accept the fight and let’s do it. Otherwise, keep your mouth shut. An interim title is fine with me too. No problem.” This exchange suggests a potential matchup between the two fighters.
Potential October Bout
Ankalaev proposed a timeframe for a potential fight. He stated, “Obviously, if Paulo Costa wants to do it, if the UFC is saying that that’s a possibility, I would happily be the one to fight here in Abu Dhabi in October.” He expressed a desire to deliver exciting and fun fights for fans, but noted that opponents often become evasive when facing him, leading to fights that do not unfold as he anticipates.
He further elaborated on his preference for a direct confrontation, saying, “So if Paulo Costa is going to stand in front of me and wants to stand and bang, we can definitely bang it out here in Abu Dhabi.” This indicates Ankalaev’s willingness to engage in a stand-up fight with Costa.
The fight between Ankalaev and Guskov was arranged on short notice after Khalil Rountree Jr. withdrew due to injury. Costa, who entered the light heavyweight title picture by knocking out Azamat Murzakanov in April, was among those who found Ankalaev’s recent fight to be uninspiring.
Talk of an interim championship has been present since Ulberg defeated Jiri Prochazka with a torn ACL at UFC 327.
Ankalaev, after his victory against Guskov, is aiming to return to the top of the light heavyweight division. The challenge of finding a suitable opponent is present due to Ulberg’s injury. Costa, who has defeated fighters like Waljang and Azamat Murzakhanov in the light heavyweight category, has been mentioned as a potential opponent.
For Ankalaev, a fight with Costa may not be strictly necessary, as he is already a top contender and could wait for Ulberg’s return. However, he has expressed a desire to compete and has identified Costa as a potential next opponent. This opportunity could be significant for Costa, as a win against Ankalaev could position him as a light heavyweight title challenger.
Ankalaev also referenced Alex Pereira, who previously defeated him for the light-heavyweight title. He mentioned Pereira’s comments and suggested that if Pereira were to return to the weight class for a fight, the UFC would likely be supportive of such a matchup.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
