Light heavyweight title challenger Magomed Ankalaev shared his opinion on former division champion Glover Teixeira's refusal to fight him.
Magomed Ankalaev, quoted by MMA News
I don't know why he didn't agree to the fight. But if I were in his place, I probably wouldn't have taken the fight either. I'm in the prime of my life, climbing the career ladder, and I'm very dangerous. He doesn't want trouble, you know? He's scared. I think he's scared. That's why he didn't take the fight.
Ankalaev and Blachowicz will fight at UFC 282 on December 11 in Las Vegas.
Ankalaev last competed at UFC 277 in July 2022, beating Anthony Smith by TKO in the second round. Magomed, 30, has 17 wins and one defeat under his belt.
Blachowicz defeated Aleksandar Rakić by TKO in the third round at UFC on ESPN 36 in May 2022. The 39-year-old Blachowicz has 29 wins and nine losses under his belt.
