Magomed Ankalaev edges Thiago Santos in unanimous decision victory as grappling and counter punching lands biggest victory at UFC Vegas 50
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Magomed Ankalaev vs Thiago Santos: UFC Vegas 50
UFC Lightheavyweight Magomed Ankalaev has proved that he is worth performing well in championship rounds as he outclasses former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Thiago Santos at UFC Vegas 50. The fight didn’t carry much action but Ankalaev tried to not rush and keep up a good game plan in taking out Santos cautiously while starting to take over the latter in a grappling part of the game. Go through the narration of the rounds below to see how Ankalaev decided to go the distance.
Round 1: Magomed Ankalaev is the biggest favourite going into the fight for tonight. Both the fighters are cautious of each other’s power. Santos starts off with a lead leg kick. Both the fighters are taking time regardless. A brief exchange Ankalaev lands a big right. Santos went to the body with a kick after some time. Not much action halfway through the first round.
Front kick in the middle for Ankalaev. A series of exchanges and Ankalaev seems to counter well and Santos seems to get a little off-balanced. Santos threatens Ankalaev with a kick nearly touching the face. The fighters are really respecting the explosiveness either side could bring. The round ends as FirstSportz scores it 10-9 close for Ankalaev.
Round 2: Ankalaev is in a 5 rounder for the first time in his UFC career. The fighters are trying to control each other’s lead hands to set up a powerful strike. Santos lands an oblique kick to the legs. Santos and Ankalaev are on the cage side with Santos’ back being on the cage. Ankalaev trying to draw some reaction out of Santos to land something. Both trade leg kicks. Ankalaev chose a cross to the body. Some teep kicks to the body from both sides.
Santos tries to bait something with a strike to the body. A brief exchange of punches again and Ankalaev seemed to have the upper hand. No takedown attempts to take the fight to the ground from either side. Ankalaev initiates and lands some punches before Santos turns the events in his favour as he gets a knockdown with an overhand punch going into the ending of round 2. FirstSportz scores it 10-9 for Santos.
Magomed Ankalaev edged Thiago Santos in the grappling aspect as well as counter punching
Round 3: Some confidence for Santos going into this round. But Ankalaev lands a huge high kick to keep Santos on the edge. The action seems to increase as the fight is coming to later rounds. Some kicks to legs and body from both sides. There’s redness on Ankalaev’s thigh. Some trading shots and Santos lands the last punch. Ankalaev throws a good straight in the midst of a bit moment of composure. Ankalaev tries to get his way in but Santos keeps circling away. The round ends as FirstSportz scores a very close 10-9 for Santos again.
Round 4: Ankalaev enters the fourth round for the first time. Santos is coming forward with wild exchanges. A flying knee as well. A left from Ankalaev and counter shots from Santos as the latter gets his back on the cage. Santos seems to put pressure now for he has experienced five-round fights, unlike Ankalaev. Ankalaev goes for a head kick.
Santos goes in for a big swing but eats a cross from Ankalaev. Santos misses landing a perfect wheel kick. Ankalaev lands a cross on the body. A power shot from Ankalaev in the midst of a single set of exchanges. The fight is very close in terms of numbers. The round ends in clinch position and grappling for the first time while Ankalaev lands a huge takedown. FirstSportz scores it a 10-9 for Ankalaev.
Round 5: A lead leg kick from Santos after taking a minute of measuring each other out. Ankalaev goes for a one-two but misses. Magomed Ankalaev manages to land a decent shot every time Santos gets in to strike. The fight gets into clinching again. Ankalaev tries to get the hand locked and chase a takedown but has found his way to land huge knee strikes on the legs of Santos. Santos tries to return with some knees of his own as well. Both fighters got cuts on their shins. Ankalaev keeps going on with the knees to the legs in the clinch position and eventually, the fight ends as FirstSportz scores the final round as 10-9 in favour of Magomed Ankalaev.
Results: Magomed Ankalaev def. Thiago Santos via unanimous decision [49-46 x 3]
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