UFC Fight Nights are slightly smaller than the numbered UFC cards, but the one this weekend is a fun one. The APEX facility in Las Vegas, we have a light heavyweight headliner fight between Thiago Santos and Magomed Ankalaev. Here’s a fight preview.
Previous Record
Santos comes into this match after a huge win over Johnny Walker last October. That one ended a 3 fight losing streak. Although it’s a good confidence booster, let’s not forgot that was a different weight division. Facing a 205 lb is going to be slightly different. Not to mention Santos turned 38 last January and has already had double knee surgery.
Ankalaev had a good seven fight streak with four knockout finishes in the last few years. At just 29, he’s probably got a little more steam in his engine. He’s never been 5 rounds in his career though, so we don’t know how well he is going to be able to pace himself.
Predictions
I think most people are thinking Ankalaev is going to walk away with the win not only because he has the better record going in, but is also all around a bit “fresher”. It’s a pretty safe prediction. But there’s a few of us out here that still want to root for the aging vet.
