LAS VEGAS — Saturday’s UFC Fight Night main event is a light heavyweight bout between onetime title challenger Thiago Santos and rising contender Magomed Ankalaev.
There is a lot of intrigue around this 205-pound matchup, as the division is wide open at the moment. Santos (22-9) is rebuilding from a rough stretch in 2020 and 2021, in which he went 0-3 and dealt with a serious knee injury. However, the Brazilian is back in the win column as he defeated Johnny Walker in October.
Ankalaev (16-1), meanwhile, is one of the hottest contenders in the division, having won seven in a row. Some call the Russian a future champion, but this is arguably his toughest test to date and his first appearance in a five-round fight.
Beyond Saturday’s headliner, however, there is a lot to watch out for on this main card. It’s packed with promising prospects who could reach a UFC title fight in the next…
