Magomed Ankalaev and Anthony Smith fought in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 185 on February 27, 2021. The fight was scheduled for three rounds in the light heavyweight division.
In the first round, both fighters came out swinging with Ankalaev being the more aggressive of the two. He landed several leg kicks and punches, but Smith managed to land a few strikes of his own. The round ended with Ankalaev leading on the scorecards.
The second round saw Ankalaev continue to dominate with his striking, landing several heavy shots on Smith. However, Smith managed to take Ankalaev down and control him on the ground for the remainder of the round. Despite being on his back for much of the round, Ankalaev managed to defend himself well and prevent Smith from doing any significant damage.
In the third and final round, both fighters were clearly exhausted from the grueling fight. Smith tried to take Ankalaev down again but was unsuccessful. Ankalaev continued to land hard shots on Smith, who was visibly hurt and struggling to defend himself. The round ended with Ankalaev clearly ahead on the scorecards.
The judges scored the fight unanimously in favor of Ankalaev, with all three judges scoring it 30-26. This was a dominant performance by Ankalaev, who showed off his striking skills and ability to defend himself on the ground.
Ankalaev improved his record to 15-1 with the win, and his stock in the light heavyweight division continued to rise. Smith, on the other hand, fell to 34-16 in his career and suffered his fourth loss in his last five fights.
This fight was a big opportunity for both fighters to make a statement in the light heavyweight division, and Ankalaev clearly came out on top. He showed that he has the skills and toughness to compete with the best fighters in the division and is a serious contender for the title.
Overall, this was an exciting and competitive fight between two talented fighters. Ankalaev’s striking and defensive skills proved to be too much for Smith, and he earned a well-deserved victory. It will be interesting to see where both fighters go from here in their careers.
Ankalaev’s win over Smith was his fifth straight victory in the UFC and further cemented his status as one of the top light heavyweight contenders. His striking was precise and powerful throughout the fight, and he showed that he has the ability to defend himself on the ground as well.
For Smith, the loss was another setback in what has been a tough stretch for the veteran fighter. He has now lost four of his last five fights and will need to regroup if he wants to continue competing at a high level.
Despite the loss, Smith showed a lot of heart and determination in the fight. He was able to withstand a lot of punishment from Ankalaev and managed to take the fight to the ground in the second round. However, Ankalaev’s striking was just too much for Smith to overcome.
The fight was a great showcase for the light heavyweight division, which has been lacking in star power in recent years. With the emergence of fighters like Ankalaev, there is renewed excitement about the future of the division.
Overall, this was a great fight between two talented fighters. Ankalaev’s dominance was impressive, but Smith’s toughness and resilience should not be overlooked. This fight will be remembered as a classic in the light heavyweight division, and both fighters should be proud of their performances.