Magomed Ankalaev left no doubt in his rematch with Johnny Walker in Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 234 main event.
After an illegal knee from Ankalaev (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) cause his initial meeting with Walker (21-8 MMA, 7-5 UFC) at UFC 294 in October to end in a no contest, the rematch at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas had no controversy.
Ankalaev defeated Walker by second-round knockout, extending his unbeaten streak in the light heavyweight division to 12 fights, and putting the Russian within striking distance of another title shot.
Check below for the top X (formerly Twitter) reactions to Ankalaev’s victory over Walker at UFC Fight Night 234.
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MMA Junkie
The #UFCVegas84 MAIN EVENT is here.
Who wins, Magomed Ankalaev or Johnny Walker? 👇
Full coverage: https://t.co/YDOiKI6cAz pic.twitter.com/pmt5rlWljq
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) January 14, 2024
UFC
Main event ready 👊
Walker makes the walk! #UFCVegas84 pic.twitter.com/ezmbCzM3Uv
— UFC_AUSNZ (@UFC_AUSNZ) January 14, 2024
UFC
You won't want to miss this 👀
Skipping into the spotlight to settle things, it's Magomed Ankalaev! #UFCVegas84 pic.twitter.com/9r1n6m2BgE
— UFC_AUSNZ (@UFC_AUSNZ) January 14, 2024
UFC
FIRST MAIN EVENT OF THE YEAR!😤
Ankalaev vs Walker ready to run it back – Who you got? #UFCVegas84 pic.twitter.com/py5iwbuWVi
— UFC_AUSNZ (@UFC_AUSNZ) January 14, 2024
Kevin Iole
Mago has mostly been following Johnny around the cage. Walker using his movement well
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) January 14, 2024
Fight Ghost
Johnny Walker came out spinning and acting like an idiot. Now looks very tired after 5 minutes #UFCVegas84
— Fight Ghost (@Fight_Ghost) January 14, 2024
Jed I Goodman
#UFCVegas84 pic.twitter.com/jadpXZjVkr
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) January 14, 2024
The Naked Gambler
I can't tell whether Johnny Walker is being sucked into an Ankalaev fight, or Ankalaev is being sucked into a Johnny Walker fight.
— The Naked Gambler (@NakedGambling) January 14, 2024
Belal Muhammad
Hope they don’t bring in the doctor
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) January 14, 2024
E. Spencer Kyte
Shouts to Goddard for bringing Sergey in to translate the warning. #UFCVegas84
— E. Spencer Kyte (@spencerkyte) January 14, 2024
Spinnin Backfist
two fights two illegal shots now pic.twitter.com/EVAe02ntjt
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) January 14, 2024
Bloody Elbow
Not sure what judges will take from that round. Thought Walker did much better work early and then just tapered off to letting Ankalaev lead. I'll say 10-9 Walker but judges might not remember how fast he started. #UFCVegas84
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) January 14, 2024
Kevin Iole
Wow! Ankalaev ends it with a TKO. Just drilled Walker
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) January 14, 2024
Caposa
Didn't even need the wrasslin. Beautiful performance by Ankalaev
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) January 14, 2024
Belal Muhammad
Woow
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) January 14, 2024
Glover Teixeira
Great knockout. We will see u soon. #UFCFightNight
— glover teixeira (@gloverteixeira) January 14, 2024
Jed Meshew II
I've been saying for years that Magomed Ankalaev is the best light heavyweight in the world and this may FINALLY be the year he wins the title. #UFCVegas84
— Jed Meshew II (@JedKMeshew) January 14, 2024
Luke Thomas
Minimal weirdness. A low blow and a lot of spinning back fists from Walker, but Ankalaev's dirty boxing did the trick in the end. He likely moves into top contender spot at 205.
— Luke Thomas🏋️♀️ (@lthomasnews) January 14, 2024
MMA Mania
Magomed Ankalaev knocks out Johnny Walker!! pic.twitter.com/m4SlI4G5sn
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) January 14, 2024
Belal Muhammad
That Abu Dhabi doctor is smiling somewhere right now
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) January 14, 2024
MMA Junkie
#UFCVegas84 results: Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) def. Johnny Walker via KO (uppercut) – Round 2, 2:42
Full coverage: https://t.co/YDOiKI6cAz pic.twitter.com/MyfV8nA1Nj
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) January 14, 2024
ESPN
Ankalaev ROCKED Walker 😳 #UFCVegas84 pic.twitter.com/wXCAec3wPV
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) January 14, 2024
Ariel Helwani
“I am ready to fight for the title. … Now!”
– Magomed Ankalaev
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) January 14, 2024
MMA Mania
Johnny Walker leaving the cage after his knockout loss pic.twitter.com/STTzn4vGlq
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) January 14, 2024
Michael Carroll
LONGEST ACTIVE UFC UNBEATEN STREAKS
19 – Jon Jones
13 – Leon Edwards
13 – Islam Makhachev
12 – Magomed Ankalaev
10 – Belal Muhammad#UFCVegas84— Michael Carroll (@MJCflipdascript) January 14, 2024
Paulo Costa
Ankalaev for title next?
— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) January 14, 2024
UFC
The score has been settled 😤
Magomed Ankalaev puts an end to this one with a second round KO! #UFCVegas84 pic.twitter.com/Z2fnsp3N4i
— UFC (@ufc) January 14, 2024
Movsar Evloev
Headshot #UFCFightNight
— Movsar Evloev (@MovsarUFC) January 14, 2024
Merab Dvalishvili
Congratulations @AnkalaevM big win 🦾 #UFCVegas84
— Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) January 14, 2024