Why Was Johnny Walker vs. Magomed Ankalaev a No Contest? Controversial End During LHW Fight Explained

UFC light heavyweight Johnny Walker is unpredictable. Everything about the Brazilian, from his name, hair, style of fighting, to his sense of humor, is unique, entertaining, and eccentric, making him stand out from every other fighter in the promotion. It is no surprise, therefore, that the knockout artist was involved in one of the most bizarre no-contest fights in UFC history.

#7 ranked Johnny Walker faced #3 ranked light heavyweight Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 294, with the winner expected to fight for the title, given that #1 ranked Jamahal Hill was injured and #2 ranked Jiri Prochazka was set to face Alex Pereira at UFC 295 bout. However, their bout ended in one of the strangest manners.

Johnny Walker couldn’t tell the doctor what country he was in

During their light heavyweight bout on the main card of UFC 294, Magomed Ankalaev hit Johnny Walker with an illegal knee in the first round. This happened after an animated exchange where Walker pretended to be groggy and then tried to hit the Dagestani with a flying knee as he tried to swarm the Brazilian. The referee stopped the proceedings immediately and called the doctor to make sure the Brazilian was fit to continue.

However, after Walker told the doctor he was somewhere “in the desert” when asked which country he was in, he was deemed unfit to continue and the fight was deemed a no-contest. Many felt this may not have been due to Walker being unfit to continue, but genuine ignorance on his part regarding the fact that he was in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

While Walker was initially upset at the stoppage, prompting UFC CEO Dana White to intervene, he calmed down and saw the merits in the doctor’s decision eventually. He would later admit that Ankalaev had been in a commanding position before the stoppage and felt the doctor made the right call, likening the force of the illegal knee to a “car crash”. However, the Brazilian is confident of victory in their rematch.

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Walker ready for Ankalaev’s power and technique in UFC Vegas rematch

Despite being on the receiving end in the Ankalaev bout, Johnny Walker said he was enjoying the fight. He was certain that having felt what the Dagestani had to offer in terms of power and technique, he would be able to beat Ankalaev at their bout this weekend.

“I wanted to get [the fight with Ankalaev] back because I was enjoying the fight… So I just want to finish what I started… I learned a few things. I feel his power. I feel his technique. So this fight’s gonna be a little bit different because I know what to expect already… Everybody’s beatable… I’m gonna show this and expose him,” he said.

If Walker can beat the top 5 ranked Ankalaev, we might see him in an all-Brazil light-heavyweight title fight against Alex Pereira. The same could be said of Ankalaev if he finishes the job this weekend. Which fight would you rather see? Let us know in the comments.

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