DALLAS – Magomed Ankalaev has been on a roll during his UFC tenure, and he intends to do whatever it takes to keep that going.
Ankalaev, No. 12 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie light heavyweight rankings, will look to extend his winning streak to nine against former title challenger and No. 10 Anthony Smith on Saturday night at UFC 277.
“I’ll make sure to go all out,” Ankalaev told reporters, including MMA Junkie, during Wednesday’s media day through an interpreter. “I’ll make sure to show what I’m capable of. I know that my opponent is very important to this organization, very big in the sport in general. So it’s important for me to show that I’m a hundred percent ready. …
“He’s a very good fighter. He’s got a lot of experience in this sport. I definitely do not underestimate him, but I’m ready to go, and I think this is a challenge that I will be able to solve and keep moving forward.”
With Ankalaev’s past three victories coming by decision, including a five-round headliner vs. Thiago Santos in March, Smith said he doesn’t understand why people view him as “the second coming of Jesus.” That doesn’t bother Ankalaev.
“He’s allowed to think what he wants,” Ankalaev said. “But I know I do my work, we do our work, I make sure that I show to do my work, and we’re only moving up. So there you go.”
A win over Smith (36-16 MMA, 11-6 UFC), especially a finish, could put Ankalaev (17-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) in line for a title shot against champion Jiri Prochazka – or the winner of a Prochazka-Glover Teixeira rematch should that fight get booked. When asked about that possibility, Ankalaev made it clear that he’s focused only on UFC 277.
“Right now I’m solely concentrating on this fight,” Ankalaev said. “I’m fighting Anthony. I want to make sure I get through this fight first and then once I win, we can think about what’s next.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 277.
Magomed Ankalaev will ‘make sure to go all out’ vs. Anthony Smith at UFC 277