ABU DHABI – Johnny Walker aims to surprise Magomed Ankalaev with his takedown defense and make him pay.
Walker (21-7 MMA, 7-4 UFC) takes on Ankalaev (18-1-1 MMA, 9-1-1 UFC) in a pivotal light heavyweight matchup on Saturday’s UFC 294 main card at Etihad Arena. The main card airs on pay-per-view at a special time of 2 p.m. ET following prelims on ESPN+.
Walker expects Ankalaev to resort to his grappling early in the fight, but is confident that he’ll be able to stuff his takedowns.
“He’s probably going to start standing – trust in his boxing. But the first opportunity he has, he’s going to shoot for takedowns,” Walker told MMA Junkie. “I’m going to counter him, defend takedowns and stuff, but he’s going to see I have very good defense, I’m very long, I’m not going to give him opportunity because he’s a good counter (striker). If I go too much forward, he’s going to counter.
“I’m going to go easy on him, get the right timing, the right steps. He’s going to see that I’m too long, he can’t fight me in the striking and he’s going to shoot. Then he’s going to say, ‘He’s too good in wrestling, as well,’ so what is he going to do? I’m going to make him quit. If he doesn’t quit, and he’s a better fighter than me, I’ll go home, train hard and come back stronger. In my vision, I’m sure I’m ready.”
Ankalaev is coming off a split draw in his vacant title fight against Jan Blachowicz at UFC 282, and hasn’t lost since March 2018. Walker sees a win over Ankalaev proving that he’s ready to compete for the belt.
“I’m glad to have the opportunity to fight a guy like that to show everybody and prove to myself, as well, that I’m capable to do (it),” Walker said. “And beating him, title shot next.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 294.
