- UFC. UFC 282: Paddy Pimblett defeats Jared 'Flash' Gordon via controversial decision
- UFC. Darrick Minner and James Krause suspended from the UFC for fixing fights
There will be no new UFC light heavyweight champion following a split draw between Magomed Ankalaev (18-1-1) and Jan Blachowicz (29-9-1) Saturday night after five rounds of the main event at UFC 282 in Las Vegas.
Blanchowicz, 39, displayed great takedown defense early on. He defended 6-for-6 takedown attempts before finally hitting the canvas.
Ankalaev, 30, had to switch stances when Blanchowicz punished him with multiple leg kicks.
In the championship rounds, Ankalaev made the proper adjustments, using his grappling to finish the fight with more than 11 minutes of ground control.
Blanchowicz was visibly drained after four rounds and said postfight that Ankalaev deserved the belt.
Blanchowicz vs. Ankalaev draws boos from crowd
Fighters shook hands and hugged as the fifth round got started. Ankalaev then blitzed Blanchowicz to the ground and dominated the entire frame on top with a barrage of punches and elbows.
The crowd started booing after two minutes of Ankalaev dominating Blanchowicz on the ground.
During his postfight interview with Joe Rogan, Ankalaev threatened to leave the UFC due to the judges' decision.
Rogan, who agreed that Blanchowicz lost the fight, explained that the organization does not select the judges, but Ankalaev walked away from the octagon feeling cheated.
The co-main event, a fight between Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett and Jared "Flash" Gordon, also ended in a controversial decision.