Update: UFC has already confirmed the bout.

An interesting fight between Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker will lead the UFC Fight Night on January 13. This should finally settle the unfinished battle between the two, which ended with a No Contest status.

The news was first shared by Walker’s coach, John Kavanagh, with MMA Hour on YouTube. Later, MMA Junkie that a source confirmed the matter. According to the reports, the first 2024 UFC card’s main event would feature Ankalaev and Walker, but UFC itself still has to officially announce it at UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

In case true, it will put an end to the intriguing No Contest bout of the fighters last month at UFC 294. To recall, Ankalaev sent Walker an illegal knee to the head while still on the canvas. This prompted referee Dan Movahedi to call for a timeout and a doctor to examine Walker. Despite reacting positively to the examination, the doctor asked to stop the fight.=, leading to Round 1 of the bout to stop at 3:13 with a No Contest status.

As expected, the decision caused uproar in the crowd and the fighters. Nonetheless, this will be settled next year.

Aside from finishing their original bout, the upcoming event should help Walker boost his current #7 spot in UFC’s light heavyweight division ranking. Even more, winning the fight against the #2 Ankalaev would give Walker one step closer to facing UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira.

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