Fans Are All Saying the Same Thing As Paul Craig Makes LHW Move Days After Magomed Ankalaev’s Win at UFC 313

While it took some for it, Magomed Ankalaev made the best out of his chance at gold. At UFC 313, the Russian challenger made the most of the opportunity and usurped the reigning Light Heavyweight champion Alex Pereira to become the new top dog of 205 lbs. While Paotan did his best to defend his crown, we had a new champion by the time the judges gave their decision. This doesn’t take anything from the Brazilian, however, who successfully defended his title thrice before the Dagestani came along. But while the difference might be narrow, the Russian had bested the Brazilian. But he can’t rest just yet. Why? Paul Craig is waiting.

Among the 18 fights Craig has had in the UFC, he has lost 9 of them and won 11. But why is he needed in this scenario with Magomed Ankalev as the new light heavyweight champ? Maybe because ‘Lord’ has the tricks to defeat the Dagestani, you know why? Because the only person to have ever defeated Ankalaev was Paul Craig. Yes, it’s that special! Ankalaev has no losses from the debut at OC to the time he came into UFC except the only loss he has against Craig at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Volkov. 

This piece of titbit is very important, at least to the MMA fans, because, as per MMA Orbit, “Paul Craig has fight news coming soon. Craig is returning to light heavyweight.” And since Ankalaev is the new champ there, this can mean only one thing.

The only blemish in his 23-fight career is this one loss, which makes his record 21-1 with one draw against Jan Blachowicz. Ankalaev and his team curated a top-notch game plan for UFC 313 on pressure and forward action to counter the striking and feared left hook of Alex Pereira.

The result was a unanimous decision win for the Dagestani, who many fans thought would use his wrestling to try to unseat Pereira from his throne. Despite the lackluster main event, Dana White said an immediate rematch is likely for Ankalaev and Pereira. However, with this new addition to the category, fans have another matchup in mind.

Fans bombard with comments on Craig vs Anakalaev 2.0

As soon as the news dropped on X, the fans of MMA rushed to the comments with their rematch requests. One fan said, “Ankalaev rematch.” Another follower wrote, “Put him Ankalaev,” while another said, “He saw Ankalaev get the title and called his shot.” Ankalaev had lost to Paul Craig on his UFC debut way back on March 17, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 127.

Nevertheless, he was seconds away from winning but suffered a submission loss that became the only blemish in his spotless resume—for now. Talking about the loss, he had revealed to UFC Russia, “That loss changed my life. It was hard for me at first. I didn’t come out in public for a month. My mother lives in Khasavyurt with my brother. I spent a month there. I thought I wouldn’t fight anymore.”

Naturally, fans, too, think that Ankalaev’s Achilles Heel is Craig, and they said things like, “Ank vs Craig 2,” and “Paul Craig beats Lil Ank again and takes his belt and then they’ll put him against Alex Pereira.” Another follower chimed in with, “Paul Craig ready to finish that bum and again and take the strap.”

Ankalaev was affected by the loss back in 2018, and since then, his and Craig’s careers have taken different paths. However, even though the Russian has gone on to win the UFC light heavyweight title, Craig has claimed that Ankalaev ‘hasn’t changed’ since their fight in 2018. Craig began to explain on his podcast, Leather’d, “I don’t think he’s a changed fighter since I fought him, I think he’s pretty much the same, I don’t think you look at him and think he’s got massively better.”

So will Craig again hand Ankalaev a loss and take the belt? Can we expect a different fighter for Alex Pereira? Share your thoughts in the comments below.