The main card of UFC 277 at Dallas, Texas serves up a Light Heavyweight possible title eliminator between two highly rated Light Heavyweights in the division, Russian Magomed Ankalaev, and American Anthony Smith. Smith who is coming into the bout on the back of a 3-match streak was shocked at the long odds given to him by the oddsmakers with Smith assigned as a 3-1 underdog going into the fight. Ankalaev, regarded as the boogeyman in the division, has lost only once in his pro career.
Location: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
Date: 31.07.2022, 05:00
Where to watch: ESPN+ (prelims streaming on ABC & ESPN)
Magomed Ankalaev
Since joining the UFC, the 30-year-old Russian fighter has been touted as a future Light Heavyweight champion. The former Light heavyweight champion of the World Fighting Championship Akhmat, lost in his debut to Paul Craig in 2018 but has gone on an 8-match winning streak since then. Picking up several Performance of the Night bonus awards, Ankalaev faced Thiago Santos in March 2022 at UFC Fight Night 203 in his last fight which he won via unanimous decision. The Russian is ranked 4 in the 205 pounds weight class.
So I’m excited to go in there. I feel like I’ve been getting a lot better. I’m in way better shape and a better spot this far out from a fight than I’ve been in a long time. I’m excited. I think people are writing me off just a little bit.
Magomed Ankalaev, Tale of the Tape
- Age: 30
- Weight: 205 Ibs
- Height: 6’ 3”
- Reach: 75”
- Total fights: 18
- Record: 17-1-0
Anthony Smith
The American fighter is ranked behind his opponent in number 5 on the UFC Light Heavyweight rankings, Currently enjoying 3 consecutive wins, the 33-year-old who formerly competed in the Middleweight division defeated Ryan Spann in September 2021 at UFC Fight Night 192 winning a Performance of the Night award via rear-naked choke submission in round one to put himself in position for a shot at a potential title eliminator. “Lionheart” returned to the UFC in 2016 after a failed attempt 3 years earlier. He has also competed in Bellator and Strikeforce.
+350? Go get your money,” Smith said in an interview with The Schmo. “+350? That’s crazy. That’s criminal. If I was fighting goddamn Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou at the same time, I shouldn’t be a f*cking +350. That’s crazy.
Anthony Smith, Tale of the Tape
- Age: 33
- Weight: 205 Ibs
- Height: 6’ 4”
- Reach: 76”
- Total fights: 52
- Record: 36-16-0
Odds
Magomed Ankalev is the overwhelming favorite with a win for him priced at 1.18 odds on Bet365.
Anthony Smith expressed shock at the long odds given to him. A win for him is priced at 5.85 odds on 1xbet.
Total Over 2.5 is priced at 1.72 odds on 22bet.
Under 2.5 is at 2 odds on 1xbet.
