Magomed Ankalaev sets condition for Paulo Costa UFC fight

MagomedAnkalaev will only take on Paulo Costaif the Brazilian is ready to bring the fight to him.The former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight titleholdertook on BogdanGuskov in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi. Guskov had stepped up on two weeks' notice afterAnkalaev's original opponent, KhalilRountree, pulled out due to an injury. Ankalaev dominatedGuskov in a slow-paced bout before finishing him in the final roundwith ground-and-pound.Now back in the win column, the Russian has addressed his nextbout.

Magomed Ankalaev says Paulo Costa fight depends on pressure andforward movement

Ankalaev defended his recent performance against critics who foundit lackluster. He says that Guskov was backing up even though hekept pressing forward."It wasn't up to me whether the fight would be boring or not,"Ankalaev told Red Corner MMA. "I was pressing forward, I wanted tofight. But my opponent started working on the back foot andconstantly running from me. So, then I decided to start wrestlingand finish him on the ground."Costa was among those who found the fight boring, vowing to savethe light heavyweight division from monotony."By the power of the Almighty, I shall save this weight class frommonotony and boredom," Costa wrote on X.Costa (16-4) is coming off wins over RomanKopylov and the previously undefeated AzamatMurzakanov, labeling himself a "Russian killer" as he sets hissights on Ankalaev."One Russian killer against tedious fights," he wrote in afollow-up post.Ankalaev (21-2) is ready to fight Costa if the former middleweighttitle contender comes forward and doesn't constantly remain on theback foot as Guskov did."Costa didn't perform in his division, then moved up, won a singlefight, and got loud," Ankalaev said. "If he's ready to pressforward, we'll be waiting for him. But if he's going to run and shyaway, I see no point in fighting him."