MMA Preview – Thiago Santos vs Magomed Ankalaev at UFC Fight Night 203
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THIAGO SANTOS VS MAGOMED ANKALAEV FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 203? Saturday 12th March, 2022 - 22:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 203? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 203? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC events
What channel is UFC Fight Night 203 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 203? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
THIAGO SANTOS VS MAGOMED ANKALAEV LOWDOWN
Thiago Santos (22-9) is not the fighter he was after leaving his knee ligaments behind in his title fight with Jon Jones (2019). He gave the former champ one of his toughest ever fights taking him to a split decision and severely injured both knees in the process. He returned 28 months later to fight the current champion Glover Teixeira (2020) and got submitted. Aleksandar Rakic (2021) then made it three losses on the bounce after a lacklustre performance. However, he got back in the win column with a measured unanimous decision win over Johnny Walker back in October last year.
Magomed Ankalaev (16-1) is the next big thing in the light heavyweight division. His only loss was a fight he was clearly winning against Paul Craig only to get caught in his triangle in the very last second. Since then, he has strung together seven very impressive wins including unanimous decisions over Nikita Krylov and Volkan Oezdemir (2021).
THIAGO SANTOS VS MAGOMED ANKALAEV PREDICTION
Ankalaev keeps getting better and is banking priceless top-level experience now whereas Santos is on the decline. They are two of the best strikers in the division capable of the knockout with a variety of strikes and they match-up very similarly with Santos boasting an inch in reach and Ankalaev boasting an inch in height.
Ankalaev is the huge favourite and that is all down to form. The Russian will still have to expect the best version of Santos and that will be full of aggression firing off his wrecking ball of a left kick to attack the legs and body. A few clean shots will really slow Ankalaev down.
We expect the Dagestani to be patient, get a read on the distance and wait for Santos to offload so he can counter with precise right hooks. Santos’ chin is there to be hit when he rushes is, but you run the risk of getting clipped by a missile.
We are backing Ankalaev to stay out of trouble for the first two rounds and download the data he needs to control the distance and begin to dish out more damage and volume. The hesitant Santos will make it easier for Ankalaev, but if he is aggressive, the Russian will fight fire with fire which will create a knockout either way.
We expect this to go the distance and backing Ankalaev but with those odds, Santos is worth a small punt.
Prediction: Ankalaev via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Santos to win
