Chris Weidman says Magomed Ankalaev is taking too much blame for the UFC Abu Dhabi main event, arguing that the criticism from fans is misplaced. The reaction has focused on the bout being a dull headliner, even though Ankalaev left with a victory.
That response is notable because Ankalaev did more than just edge out a result in his return to action. According to the available report, the Dagestani contender earned both a win and a finish at UFC Fight Night 282, but many viewers still came away disappointed by what they saw.
Weidman’s stance is that the conversation should not fall entirely on Ankalaev when a main event fails to excite. In that view, labeling the fight as boring does not automatically make one fighter solely responsible, especially when the night ended with a clear result.
The debate around Ankalaev’s performance reflects a common split in MMA between entertainment value and effectiveness. While fans may have wanted a more thrilling main event in Abu Dhabi, Weidman believes the backlash aimed at Ankalaev goes too far given that he returned to the cage and finished the job.
