Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Nolan King

UFC 294 results: Dana White enters cage as Johnny Walker, Magomed Anakalev restrained after doctor stoppage

In a card populated by fouls and controversial regulatory decision-making, perhaps the most bizarre moment of UFC 294 took place during the featured light heavyweight bout between Johnny Walker and Magomed Ankalaev.

After kick-filled exchanges on the feet, Ankalaev (18-1-1 MMA, 9-1-1 UFC)  got Walker (21-7 MMA, 7-4 UFC) to the canvas at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. As the struggle for position and footing played out, Ankalaev kneed his grounded opponent in the head. A timeout was called.

The bout was called off by referee Dan Movahedi at 3:13 of Round 1 at the advice of the cageside physician, who already was part of a separate controversial moment earlier in the event. That’s when all hell broke loose.

Walker shoved referee Rich Mitchell and signaled for the bout to continue as more commission and promotion officials entered the fight surface. Anakalev was game, and he, too, moved toward Walker.

That’s when UFC CEO Dana White entered the fray and attempted to calm his fighters in an expletive-filled manner. Eventually, things simmered down enough for the official decision reading, which was not well-received by those in attendance.

It’s unclear if a rematch will result from Saturday’s controversy, but Ankalaev vs. Walker was an important fight for the light heavyweight division. Ankalaev hadn’t competed since a vacant title fight draw with Jan Blachowicz at UFC 282 in December. Walker looked to extend a three-fight winning streak to four.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 294 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 294.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.