Ankalaev is a high level wrestler, but yeah he isn't exactly a sub threat. His ground attack is like a LHW version of Blaydes. He's content to sit in his opponents guard and landing strikes. No real attempts to pass or look for subs. He is much more adept at KEEPING people down than either Jiri or Jan are though.Just to throw this bit here as well: people say Jiri is a striker, Jan is a striker. Well, Ankalaev is also a striker. I don’t remember him ever winning by sub. Not saying he is bad at it, but if Alex defeats him, I fully expect the narrative to change into “no good grapplers in the division”.
The question with Poatan fighting him is more about if he can keep it on the feet, more than whether he can avoid being subbed or get a sub himself.
Ankalaev on top of him laying in punches will likely be the gameplan. That's what he did to Jan when he was losing the striking battle, that's what he was doing to Paul Craig before the last second triangle finished him off.