Magomed Ankalaev entered UFC 308 with championship aspirations and a heated rivalry with current champion Alex Pereira simmering on social media. With an impressive 18-1-1 record, he seemed poised to make a definitive statement. Instead, he might have just written himself out of the title picture with a win that left fans checking their phones mid-fight.
The matchup against Aleksandar Rakić presented a perfect opportunity for Ankalaev to showcase why he deserved that coveted title shot. Rakic, coming off two consecutive losses and entering as a significant underdog, seemed like the ideal highlight reel waiting to happen. Ankalaev’s performance, while technically sound, had all the excitement of watching paint dry in slow motion.
Over three rounds, Magomed Ankalaev controlled the fight with his trademark pressure and precise striking. Aleksandar Rakic, for the most part, kept him at a distance with his leg kicks and occasional head and body kicks. The Dagestani went on to secure a unanimous decision victory that won’t make any highlight reels. His cautious approach, while effective, felt more like a sparring session than a title eliminator.
The judges’ scorecards all read 29-28, but the real story was in the crowd’s restless energy and the deafening silence between exchanges. In a division recently electrified by the likes of Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill, Magomed Ankalaev’s slow grind of Rakic might have been tactically brilliant but strategically shortsighted to par with the likes of Pereira.
Fight Fans React To Magomed Ankalaev’s Uneventful Performance Against Aleksandar Rakic
The fight game has evolved far beyond simple winning and losing. This was evident from Magomed Ankalaev’s unanimous decision victory at UFC 308. While the Dagestani fighter technically did everything right to secure the win, the social media response revealed that he fell short in the court of public opinion.
Fight fans took to social media to showcase their reactions. Comments ranged from mild annoyance at the performance to elaborate expressions of disappointment. Some fans even argued that Rakic had won the fight but was robbed. Here are some of the reactions from fight fans:
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While judges awarded Ankalaev all three rounds with consistent 29-28 scorecards, the court of public opinion handed down a much harsher verdict. The fans’ reaction serves as a reminder that in the entertainment business of professional fighting, sometimes playing it safe is the riskiest strategy of all.
Also Read: Dana White Confirms Magomed Ankalaev As The Next Title Challenger For Alex Pereira
