Magomed Ankalaev says his post-fight interview at UFC 282 was mistranslated.
When the judges’ scorecards had been learn after his combat in opposition to Jan Blachowicz this previous Saturday, Ankalaev was shocked to listen to it ruled a split draw.
“I don’t know what to say,” mentioned Ankalaev by means of a translator in his post-fight interview. “I received that combat. Why didn’t I get my belt? I don’t know what to say.”
Two of the three judges had Blachowicz up in opposition to Ankalaev heading into the fourth and fifth rounds, the place the Russian fighter erased most of his deficit with a wrestling-heavy efficiency. Derek Cleary scored it 48-46 for Ankalaev, Mike Bell scored it 48-47 for Blachowicz, however Sal D’Amato had it even at 47-47, ensuing within the cut up draw.
Dropping out on the vacant UFC gentle heavyweight championship annoyed Ankalaev, who appeared to recommend he might not combat within the promotion once more due to the poor judging.
“I all the time do no matter I’ve to do to regulate,” mentioned Ankalaev. “If I’m shedding within the standup, I’ll go all the way down to grappling and wrestling; if I’m shedding the wrestling, I’ll rise up. I can do each issues, however I don’t know if I’m going to combat for this group once more, as a result of actually, I don’t know what simply occurred.”
Nevertheless, it seems Ankalaev mentioned nothing about not combating within the promotion. In a press release to Damon Martin of MMA Fighting, the 30-year-old mentioned he was performed combating in Las Vegas, not the UFC.
“It was mistranslated, I mentioned I didn’t wish to combat on this metropolis anymore,” mentioned Ankalaev. “As a result of the judges had been horrible. I received this combat. Not one particular person on-line mentioned I misplaced this combat. Even Jan Blachowicz mentioned I received this combat. I get it. After the second spherical, my knee was gone however I nonetheless fought. I bit down on my mouthguard and I did one of the best I can. This combat can solely assist me develop and I’m grateful for the chance.”
A brand new UFC gentle heavyweight champion will probably be topped subsequent 12 months, however neither Ankalaev nor Blachowicz are concerned. As a substitute of a direct rematch, UFC president Dana White booked Glover Teixeira vs. Jamahal Hill for UFC 283 in January.
