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Magomed Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker 2 Preview & Picks – Ankalaev To Win UFC Fight Night Rematch

leigh-copson
11 Jan 2024
leigh-copson
Leigh Copson 11 Jan 2024
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  • Magomed Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker 2 picks for Saturday, January 13
  • Fight taking place at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Preview, predictions, stats & form
    Magomed Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker 2 Preview & Picks
  • Magomed Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker 2 Preview & Picks
  • Head To Head
  • Magomed Ankalaev Form
  • Johnny Walker Form

Magomed Ankalaev vs Johnny Walker 2 Preview & Picks

Magomed Ankalaev is tipped to win Saturday night’s rematch.

Ankalaev was the more accurate striker and took down Johnny Walker as he controlled the first fight.

More of the same is expected here, but this time Ankalaev is backed to finish the job.

  • Magomed Ankalaev is unbeaten in his last 11 fights
  • Ankalaev landed 68% of his significant strikes in the first fight (Walker 51%)
  • 5 of Magomed Ankalaev’s 9 UFC wins have been by KO/TKO
  • Johnny Walker has been knocked out 4 times in his career

Head To Head

  • The two men went to a No Contest when they last met in October 2023

Magomed Ankalaev Form

Magomed Ankalaev is the #3 ranked light-heavyweight contender with a career record of 17-1-1, 1 No Contest.

Ankalaev debuted in the UFC in March 2018 and looked set to make a winning start until Paul Craig tapped him out with a second to go in the fight.

The 31-year-old rebounded impressively though, knocking out Marcin Prachnio in the first round to spark a nine-fight win streak.

During this run he knocked out Ion Cutelaba in the first round twice, while also recording notable unanimous decision wins over Nikita Krylov, Volkan Oezdemir and Thiago Santos.

Ankalaev then earned himself a shot at the vacant light-heavyweight title when he stopped Anthony Smith with strikes in the second round in July 2022.

The Russian fighter failed to take his big chance though, going to a split decision draw with Jan Blachowicz.

Then, in his only outing of 2023, Ankalaev failed to get back to winning ways as an accidental illegal knee rendered his bout with Johnny Walker a No Contest.

Johnny Walker Form

Johnny Walker is the #7 ranked light-heavyweight contender with a career record of 21-7, 1 No Contest.

Walker quickly rose up the ladder as he debuted with a three-fight win streak, but his rise stalled between November 2019 and February 2022.

The 31-year-old Brazilian was knocked out in the first round by Corey Anderson and that proved to be the first of four defeats during a five fight spell.

He then dropped a decision to Nikita Krylov, before returning to winning ways with a first-round knockout of Ryan Spann.

Walker failed to build on that win though, as he then lost on points to Thiago Santos before being knocked out in the first round by Jamahal Hill.

The Brazilian fighter has rebounded since then though, going unbeaten in his last four fights to force his way back in to the title picture.

Walker submitted Ion Cutelaba in the first round and knocked out Paul Craig in the first round, before beating Anthony Smith on points.

He was unable to make it four-in-a-row though, as an accidental illegal knee by Magomed Ankalaev resulted in a Non Contest when the two men fought last October.

Verdict

Magomed Ankalaev was in control when a costly mistake prematurely ended the first fight between the pair.

Ankalaev is unlikely to make the same mistake in the rematch, so we are confident that the Russian will make a return to winning ways.

Best Bet1: Ankalaev by KO/TKO Method Of Victory @-200.00 at Stake.us - 5 Units
Best Bet2: Ankalaev in Round 1 Round Betting @240.00 at Stake.us - 1 Unit
Ankalaev by KO/TKO
Method Of Victory
@-200.00 - 5 Units
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Bet at Stake.us
Ankalaev in Round 1
Round Betting
@240.00 - 1 Unit
55 Stake Cash no deposit & 550,000 Gold Coins & 5% Rakeback
Use promo code NEWBONUS

Sign up with the code NEWBONUS. When you verify your account get 25 Stake Cash for free PLUS 250,000 Gold Coins and 5% Rakeback! No deposit required. Login each day for the next 30 days and get an additional 30 Stake Cash AND 300,000 Gold Coins. 21+ only. T&Cs apply. Excludes NY,NV,ID, KY,WA, MI.

Bet at Stake.us