Everything you need to know about UFC 282: Błachowicz vs. Ankalaev

ACC UFC contributor Felix Heath-Collins with everything you need to know ahead of UFC 282: Błachowicz vs. Ankalaev.

That's all folks! Sunday's UFC 282 marks the final PPV (Pay-Per-View) of the year for the dominant MMA promotion.

While quite a lot of steam was lost when the light-heavyweight championship main event was canceled, UFC 282's still shaping up to be a fantastic fight card.

In the main event Polish powerhouse Jan Błachowicz battles Dagestani dominator Magomed Ankalaev for the next shot at the light-heavyweight title.

Jan Błachowicz (29-9) (wins-losses) uses power and cunning in equal measure to consistently demolish top opponents - whether that be via KO, decision, or even submission; he adapts. Błachowicz's highlights include devastating KOs of Luke Rockhold and Corey "Overtime" Anderson, and an iconic dead-fish dance TKO of Dominick "The Devastator" Reyes to secure the light-heavyweight belt. Not to mention Błachowicz's wrestling Uno reverse card in the Adesanya fight that allowed him to turn a lopsided kickboxing match on its head and win a decision with his superior grappling.

Magomed Ankalaev (17-1), on the other hand, is the quintessential Russian tank that never gets an opportunity at championship gold because he isn't very marketable. But god can he fight. Ankalaev's Combat Sambo background serves him the same way it did Khabib and Fedor: well. The common thread between all three is a seemingly unstoppable wrestling base and truly horrifying punching power. Where Ankalaev differs is in his superb head kick game, which he has used to great effect in three of his stoppage victories. Ankalaev's last three victims were Volkan "No Time" Oezdemir, Thiago "Marreta" Santos, and Anthony "Lionheart" Smith. Whether we like it or not, he's ready for the title.

Błachowicz is a 39-year-old veteran of mixed martial arts, and Ankalaev is a 30-year-old in his athletic prime. Maybe it's wishful thinking, but I predict Błachowicz stopping the inevitable train of progress. Glover Teixeira won the championship belt at 42, and Randy Couture won his second championship belt at age 45. However the fight pans out, it'll be one hell of a scrap.

Another highlight of UFC 282's main card is the Liverpudlian duo Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett and Darren "The Gorilla" Till who are matched up against Jared "Flash" Gordon and Dicus Du Plessis, respectively.

For all these fights and more, check out UFC 282 this Sunday for New Zealand, with the main card starting at 4:00 PM. Enjoy!