The UFC 320 main event sees Magomed Ankalaev looking to avoid a repeat of the one fight he came out second best in his career.
The Light Heavyweight champion defends his belt against Alex Pereira on October 4, aiming to add to his 20 wins in the octagon so far.
With a record of 23-1-1 (1), Magomed Ankalaev has one of the most impressive records in the UFC, dating all the way back to 2018.
However, before he began his winning streak, Ankalaev’s debut was finished by a man with one of the best guards in all of MMA.
Magomed Ankalaev tapped out at the very last second against Paul Craig
At UFC London, Ankalaev suffered the first and so far only defeat of his professional career against Scottish fighter Paul Craig.
The Russian fighter was 8-0 going into his debut in the UFC, becoming Light Heavyweight champion in his home country, before penning a deal to fight for Dana White in London.
His talent was clear to see in the opening rounds of the fight, impressing by dismantling Craig with his expansive skillset to take the points lead going into the third and final round.
However, the superior guard of Craig proved the difference in the third. He escaped a ground-and-pound situation with just seconds to go in the round, locking in a triangle choke as a last-gasp attempt.
Ankalaev tapped out with literally one second to go in the round, handing Craig a last-gasp victory. Had he held on, Ankalaev would have likely won, but the guard of Craig was just too good for him to beat.
The fight is, so far, the only loss of the impressive Ankalaev’s career, which only makes Craig’s win even more incredible.
Joe Rogan labeled Paul Craig’s guard as ‘sensational’
Craig’s victory over Ankalaev impressed many people in the MMA community, including UFC commentator and podcast giant Joe Rogan.
Speaking on an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, he gushed about Craig’s guard in the victory, calling him ‘sensational’.
Rogan added that all other fighters should aspire to be as good in the guard as Craig, with the win over Ankalaev a prime example of that.
“Paul Craig has one of the most dangerous guards in any f—— division. Period, full stop.
“Remember when he caught Ankalaev with one second to go in the fight. One second to go, and he catches him in a triangle.
“That’s how good his guard is. His guard is sensational. His guard is what everybody’d guard should aspire to be.”
Ankalaev clearly learned a lot from that loss, as he remains undefeated since UFC London.