Nemkov: Ankalaev is able to beat Blachowicz

Vadim Nemkov
Vadim Nemkov

Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov expressed the opinion that his compatriot Magomed Ankalaev was able to defeat the UFC title holder in this weight category, Jan Blachowicz.

“I think Ankalaev is able to defeat Blachowicz. He has all the skills for this. He hits well, fights well. He can win the title. If he took part in the Bellator Grand Prix, then I would expect him in the final, he would be one of the favorites. He is a strong fighter, what can I say.

"Is there a desire to take revenge from Magomed for his defeat at the Russian MMA Championship? I am not burning with such a desire right now and I am trying to think logically - I am in Bellator, and he is in the UFC. We do not have the opportunity to meet yet, so there is no point in shouting about it. As soon as I get to the UFC, it will be possible to think about it," Nemkov said in an interview with the Usachev TV YouTube channel.

Nemkov on the night of April 17 will hold the Bellator Grand Prix quarterfinal fight against Phil Davis, whom he had already defeated by split decision in 2018.

Ankalaev last time fought in February, defeating Nikita Krylov by unanimous decision.