Ankalaev vs Walker

Who won Ankalaev vs Walker?

Magomed Ankalaev beat Johnny Walker by knockout in the 2nd round during the main event of UFC Fight Night, on Saturday 13th January 2024 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 5 rounds in the Light Heavyweight division, which meant the weight limit was 205 pounds (14.6 stone or 93 KG).

Ankalaev vs Walker stats

Magomed Ankalaev stepped into the octagon with a record of 17 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw, 9 of those wins coming by the way of knock out.

Johnny Walker made his way to the cage with a record of 21 wins, 7 losses and 0 draws, 16 of those wins coming by knock out and 3 by submission.

Johnny Walker marked his 14th fight for them, having made his own debut for the promotion in 2018.

Magomed Ankalaev's UFC record stood at 10-1-1, while Johnny Walker's came in at 7-6-0.

The stats suggested Walker had a large advantage in power over Ankalaev, boasting a 76% knock out percentage over Ankalaev's 53%.

If the fight went to the ground, their records suggested Walker had an advantage over Ankalaev, with a 14% submission rate over Ankalaev's 0%.

Magomed Ankalaev was the same age as Johnny Walker, at 32 years old.

Walker had a height advantage of 3 inches over Ankalaev. That also extended to a 7-inch reach advantage.

Ankalaev's experience as a professional fighter was relatively equal to Walker's, having had 9 fewer fights, and made his debut in 2014, 1 month later than Walker, whose first professional fight was in 2013. He had fought 5 more professional rounds, 52 to Walker's 47.

Ankalaev vs Walker form

Ankalaev had beaten 3 of his last 5 opponents, stopping 1 of them, going to the judges twice.

In his last fight leading up to this contest, his fight against Johnny Walker at UFC 294 on 21st October 2023 ended in a no contest.

Previous to that, he had drawn with Jan Blachowicz at UFC 282 on 10th December 2022 by split draw in their 5 round contest in their UFC Light Heavyweight championship fight at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, United States.

Going into that contest, he had won against Anthony Smith at UFC 277 on 30th July 2022 by knockout in the 2nd round at Madison Square Garden, New York City.

Before that, he had beaten Thiago Santos at UFC Fight Night on 12th March 2022 by unanimous decision in their 5 round contest at UFC APEX, Las Vegas.

He had defeated Volkan Oezdemir at UFC 267 on 30th October 2021 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest.

Walker had beaten 3 of his last 5 opponents, stopping 1 of them, going the distance twice.

In his last fight before this contest, his fight against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 294 on 21st October 2023 ended in a no contest.

Previous to that, he was victorious against Anthony Smith at UFC Fight Night – Rozenstruik vs. Almeida on 13th May 2023 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Spectrum Center, Charlotte, United States.

Going into that contest, he had won against Paul Craig at UFC 283 on 21st January 2023 by knockout in the 1st round at Jeunesse Arena, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Before that, he had beaten Ion Cutelaba at UFC 279 on 10th September 2022 by submission in the 1st round at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, United States.

He had lost to Jamahal Hill at UFC Fight Night on 19th February 2022 by knockout in the 1st round at UFC APEX, Las Vegas.

Activity check

In terms of activity leading into the fight, Johnny Walker had been fighting more than Magomed Ankalaev.

Going to this contest, Magomed Ankalaev had last fought 10 months and 14 days ago, while Johnny Walker's last outing had been 10 months and 14 days ago.

Ankalaev's last 5 fights had come over a period of 2 years, 10 months and 5 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 6 months and 27 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 16 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 3.2 rounds on average.

Walker's last 5 fights had come over a period of 2 years, 6 months and 16 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 6 months and 4 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 7 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 1.4 rounds on average.

What were the odds on Ankalaev vs Walker?

Magomed Ankalaev was a 9/50 (-560) favourite going into the contest, while Johnny Walker made his way into the ring at 4/1 (+400) with oddsmakers.