UFC 282 results: Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev ends in draw, light heavyweight title still vacant

Daniel Yanofsky

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UFC 282 results: Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev ends in draw, light heavyweight title still vacant image

On a night where there were 10 great finishes in a row, UFC 282 ended with more questions than answers.

The co-main event had a debatable result, and the main event ended with the light heavyweight title still without a holder. 

Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev fought to a draw, with the judges scoring the fight 48-47 Blachowicz, 48-46 Ankalaev and 47-47. Sal D’Amato was the judge who scored it a draw.

Blachowicz told Joe Rogan that he thought Ankalaev won. An upset Ankalaev was ready to walk out of the UFC.  

MORE: MMA scoring, explained

"I don't know if I'm going to fight for this organization again because, honestly, I don't know what just happened," Ankalaev said.

The first round was more a feeling-out process, with Ankalaev attacking the body. 

In Round 2, the fighters went strike for strike. Leg kicks were the name of the game. That would be Ankalaev’s kryptonite as Blachowicz swept the Russian’s leg. Ankalaev slipped, and he was clearly uncomfortable. He slipped from another leg kick and tried to push Blachowicz into the corner. With Blachowicz out of it, an upset Ankalaev was seen limping. 

Ankalaev reached for a big shot in Round 3. Blachowicz countered a leg kick. The rest of the round was Ankalaev, with mauled legs, avoiding Blachowicz’s power. Anakalev landed a big takedown in Round 4, smothering Blachowicz. He did the same in Round 5 as something was off with Blachowicz. 

Ankalakev landed big blows to Blachowicz's face before the closing bell. Both fighters' efforts went for naught due to the judges' scorecards. 

The title initially was vacant because Jiri Prochazka suffered an injury training for a rematch against former champion Glover Teixeira. It is unknown if Blachowicz and Ankalaev will run it back.

The other controversial scoring was Paddy Pimblett's unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) victory over Jared Gordon in a fight where the stats favored Gordon. 

UFC president Dana White announced after the fight that everyone who got a finish would receive a $50,000 bonus. He also said that Teixeira vs. Jamahal Hill for the vacant light heavyweight title is the play.

Below are the full results from UFC 282; 

UFC 282 results

Main card

  • Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev fight to a split draw (48-47 Blachowicz, 48-46 Ankalaev, 47-47).
  • Paddy Pimblett def. Jared Gordon via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Santiago Ponzinibbio def. Alex Morono via 3-round TKO (2:29).
  • Dricus du Plessis def. Darren Till via rear-naked choke (2:46 into Round 3).
  • Ilia Topuria def. Bryce Mitchell via arm-triangle choke (3:10 into Round 2).

Prelims

  • Raul Rosas Jr. def. Jay Perrin via rear-naked choke (2:44 into Round 1)
  • Jairzinho Rozenstruik def. Chris Daukaus via 1st-round TKO (0:23).
  • Edmen Shahbazyan def. Dalcha Lungiambula via 2nd-round TKO (4:41).
  • Chris Curtis def. Joaquin Buckley via 2nd-round KO (2:49).

Fight Pass prelims

  • Billy Quarantillo def. Alexander Hernandez via 2nd-round TKO (4:30).
  • T.J. Brown def. Erik Silva via arm-triangle choke (3:41 into Round 3).
  • Cameron Saaiman def. Steven Koslow via 3rd-round TKO (4:13).

Daniel Yanofsky

Daniel Yanofsky Photo

Daniel Yanofsky is the Combat Sports Editor for The Sporting News since late 2021. Prior to working for TSN, Daniel provided insight on combat sports for Fightful, FIGHT SPORTS, and Wrestling Inc. A proud Ithaca College alum, when he isn’t working on his golf game, Daniel is advocating for three-minute rounds in women's boxing.

You can follow him on Twitter via @DanYanofsky.