2022 was an incredible year for UFC. Many long-time champions (Kamaru, Adesanya) were finally dethroned. Young fighters (Mokaev, Raul Rosas Jr.) have impressed fans. The final pay-per-view event of the year UFC 282 unfortunately didn’t go the way Dana White would’ve wanted it to.
The main fight was initially supposed to be held between Glover Teixeira and Jiri Jiri Prochazka. However, Jiri sustained a severe shoulder injury and immediately vacated the title. Then Glover was offered a fight against Magomed which he declined stating that he needed more preparation.
Finally, the co-main fight between Magomed Ankalaev and Jan Blachowicz was promoted to the main card. Both fighters went into the ring and gave it their all. Jan Managed to injure his opponent’s leg quite well in the initial rounds.
By round 3, Ankalaev was barely able to walk so he used his Greco-Roman wrestling to dominate the rest of the fight. By the end, even Blachowicz was convinced that the Dagestani fighter had won but the judges said otherwise. The fight was declared a draw.
Fans were already angry with the controversial judging in the Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett vs Jared ‘Flash’ Gordon fight. After the title fight result, the MMA universe erupted. Viewers and fighters alike started to call the judges out and started suspecting foul play.
But Dana White didn’t share such sentiments. “I don’t even know {who was winning, I started to zone out after like f***g three rounds,” he said. “I heard that Ankalaev is upset, and whatever. What do you want me to do?”
Dana announced On-spot that the next fight will be held between Glover Teixeira and Jamahl Hill at UFC 283. Fans may find happiness in knowing that the title will hopefully not remain vacant but we certainly feel sorry for Ankalaev.
