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#4. Magomed Ankalaev vs. Jan Blachowicz
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz was scheduled for a number one contender bout against Aleksandar Rakić, set to take place at UFC Vegas 51. However, Blachowicz was forced to pull out of the fight due to a neck injury.
It is unclear as to when Blachowicz will be medically ready to compete again, but it could be that it lines up with Ankalaev's future plans. A matchup between Blachowicz and Ankalaev would undoubtedly serve as a title eliminator fight with the winner likely facing the victor of Glover Teixeira and Jiri Prochazka.
A fight with Blachowicz would also be Ankalaev's biggest test to date and would demonstrate how ready he is to be competing for UFC light heavyweight gold. Blachowicz is a dangerous fighter who has overcome numerous top competitors including Dominick Reyes, Israel Adesanya, and Corey Anderson.
#3. Magomed Ankalaev vs. the winner of Glover Teixeira vs. Jiri Prochazka
This is most likely Ankalaev's preferred next fight, regardless of whether he is truly deserving of a title shot yet or not. Depending on how long Blachowicz is out for and if the UFC intends on rebooking his fight with Rakic, it could be that Ankalaev becomes the only available contender to fight for the belt in the latter half of 2022.
At UFC 275, the current 205lb champion Glover Teixeira takes on Jiri Prochazka, who is riding a 12-fight winning streak that includes victories over Dominick Reyes, Volkan Oezdemir, and C.B. Dolloway.
Glover Teixeira captured the UFC light heavyweight by defeating Jan Blachowicz at UFC 267 having amassed an impressive five-fight winning streak against the elite of the UFC.
