Jan Blachowicz offers up light heavyweight belt to Magomed Ankalaev in tremendous show of class after UFC 282 split draw
UFC 282 witnessed a rare phenomenon as the main event fight between Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev ended in a split draw. Despite dominating the majority of the fight, the Russian failed to lay hands on the coveted UFC gold, but Blachowicz's honesty won the MMA community's heart.
Blachowicz invested early in damaging the lead leg of Ankalaev, whereas his Russian competitor had success with body kicks and crisp combinations. A Master of sport in Combat Sambo, Ankalaev looked like the sharper fighter on the break, landing his hook effectively.
The early investment in the leg kicks started paying dividends for Jan Blachowicz and Ankalaev's movement was compromised in the subsequent rounds. Somewhere around the final minute of the third frame of the fight, the Dagestani finally managed to land a takedown and establish top control for the remainder of the round.
Having found success with the takedown, Magomed Ankalaev put his grappling prowess to good effect in the successive rounds, seemingly winning three out of the stipulated five rounds of the main event of UFC 282.
Despite establishing a top control position for 9:22 in the final 10 minutes and outlanding Blachowicz 28 to one in the last two rounds, the fight was scored a split-draw.
Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev official scorecard. #UFC282 https://t.co/Phd23AkNIV
Still gathering himself from the tough contest that ensued in the main event, Jan Blachowicz displayed great honor and forthrightness by claiming that Ankalaev should have won the fight in the post-fight interview:
"For sure I didn't win the fight. I don't feel like I'm the winner. Maybe we can do the rematch...but I'm not the judge."
"I don't know if I lost the fight but for sure I'm not the winner"
Jan Blachowicz after the split-draw with Magomed Ankalaev 🙏
#UFC282 https://t.co/I0v8eCDMlJ
While on his way out of the octagon, the Polish MMA star momentarily interrupted Ankalaev's post-fight interview and said:
"Give the belt to Ankalaev."
"Give the belt to [Magomed]
Ankalaev."
Jan Blachowicz said Ankalaev should have the light heavyweight belt after their split draw at #UFC282 https://t.co/MRZJPxNERv
Magomed Ankalaev casts doubts on his UFC future following a split draw with Jan Blachowicz
Magomed Ankalaev and Jan Blachowicz had to settle for a split draw for their main event fight at UFC 282. Even UFC play-by-play commentators Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier were convinced that Ankalaev had done enough to get his hands raised.
Ultimately, the light heavyweight belt remained vacant after Ankalaev and Blachowicz battled to a hotly disputed split draw. Judges scored it 48-47, 46-48, and 47-47.
While reacting to the decision in the post-fight interview with Rogan, an evidently discontented Ankalaev cast doubts on his UFC future [via translator]:
"I always do whatever I have to do to adjust. If I'm losing in the stand up, I'll go down to the ground. If I'm losing in wrestling, I'll stand up... I can do both things. I don't know if I'm going to fight for this organization again because honestly, I don't know what just happened."
Catch Ankalaev's post-fight interview below: