Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev split draw decision condemned by Francis Ngannou, Jamahal Hill and other top fighters

The UFC 282 title fight between Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev ended on a controversial note.

The two fighters went toe-to-toe in the main event of the pay-per-view for the vacant light heavyweight title. Blachowicz found early success as he landed vicious leg kicks on Ankalaev which appeared to do significant damage to the latter's movement and fighting ability.

The Dagestani bounced back in the later rounds and used his grappling to get the better of the Polish powerhouse. The razor-close fight went the full distance with many believing that Ankalaev had done enough to get his hand raised.

However, the ringside judges felt otherwise. The fight was declared a split draw with 48-47, 46-48, and 47-47 on the three scorecards.

As a result, the light heavyweight division is still without a champion.

#UFC282 Official Scorecard: Jan Blachowicz vs Magomed Ankalaev 👇

All Tonight’s Scorecards ➡️: ufc.com/news/official-… https://t.co/WdwNTUJa2o

MMA fighters and fans had several thoughts about the main event and shared them on Twitter.

UFC flyweight Muhammad Mokaev expressed sympathy towards Ankalaev and criticized the judges for their decision.

"As I fighter I feel very bad for Ankalaev, knowing that these judges would never step inside the cage themselves and at least cut weight once in their life and they’re making buls**t decisions like this."

As I fighter I feel very bad for Ankalaev, knowing that these judges would never step inside the cage themselves and at least cut weight once in their life and they’re making bulshit decisions like this …
#Ankalaev #AndNew 🥇

UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou echoed Mokaev's sentiments on Twitter.

Ankalaev won this fight. Give the man his fuc***g belt 😤

Johnny Walker took a dig at both fighters involved in the main event by jokingly thanking the judges for their decision.

Thanks judges, we have no boring champion #UFC282 I miss jiri already 😂

One individual on Twitter even went so far as to accuse the UFC of fixing fights.

Never thought I'd say this, but.... the #ufc is fixing fight outcomes.
There is no way the refs calls have just been "bad" this year... it's happening too many times, in a bias for hype-train fighters. The ufc MUST fix this immediately. #UFC282 #UFC282live

A few more tweets on the controversial main event can be seen below:

Officer those trash ass judges over there #UFC282 https://t.co/VzuzcvXRf5

Houston we have a problem, judging in fighting sports needs to be fixed. #UFC282

I just watched the "title" Fight.
Everyone knows who the Champion is.
Just give me some time.
⚡️🙏⚡️

what the hell these judge’s smoking on tonight 😂

Got Damn it I’m still #7

Alright I’m really done scoring fights!!!

UFC 282 judges explaining their decisions tonight
https://t.co/TA7EpnsU34

What a miserable MMA Judgement year
First Li Jingliang, Petr Yan, Gordon and now this shit Jan vs Ankalaev ,
terrible judging in 2022 !
Just terrible
#UFC282
#MMATwitter
#DAZNfightclub
#UFC
#GerMMAny

#UFC282 looking scripted like wwe. #ufc283 i am not order the ppv

@RajperShaheryar UFC should be investigated #UFC282

Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev was the fifth draw in a UFC title fight

The UFC 282 main event between Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev marked only the fifth time that a UFC title fight ended in a draw.

The other four fights are B.J. Penn vs. Caol Uno at UFC 41, Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard at UFC 125, Tyron Woodley vs. Stephen Thompson at UFC 205, and Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno at UFC 256.

Blachowicz vs. Ankalaev is just the 5th draw in UFC championship history.

It joins Uno-Penn, Edgar-Maynard, Woodley-Thompson, and Figueiredo-Moreno.

Jan Blachowicz did not seem to agree with the judges' decision. In his post-fight octagon interview with Joe Rogan, the 39-year-old stated that he did not feel he had won the fight and that Anakalev should be handed the championship belt.

"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