Former champion Magomed Ankalaev faces No. 9 Bogdan Guskov on short notice at UFC Abu Dhabi — winner could get light heavyweight title shot next
Bogdan GuskovAlex PereiraDricus du PlessisKamaru UsmanMagomed AnkalaevKhalil RountreeArman TsarukyanColby CovingtonBelal MuhammadYouTubeFacebookUFCKickTikTokInstagramUltimate Fighting Championship

Former champion Magomed Ankalaev faces No. 9 Bogdan Guskov on short notice at UFC Abu Dhabi — winner could get light heavyweight title shot next

Former champion Magomed Ankalaev faces No. 9 Bogdan Guskov on short notice at UFC Abu Dhabi, following an injury to Khalil Rountree. A win for either fighter could lead to a light heavyweight title shot, with Guskov on a four-fight win streak and Ankalaev looking to rebound from a recent loss.

MMA Fighting MMA Fighting+3 sources23 July 2026 · 20:07 UTC
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Magomed Ankalaev, a former champion with a record of 21-2-1, is set to face No. 9 Bogdan Guskov at UFC Abu Dhabi after Guskov stepped in on short notice due to Khalil Rountree's injury. This matchup, which emerged just weeks ago, is pivotal for both fighters' careers.123456910

Ankalaev aims to bounce back from a championship-losing knockout to Alex Pereira, while Guskov, who is on a four-fight win streak with all victories by KO, seeks to make a significant leap in the light heavyweight rankings. Major respect has been given to Guskov for accepting this challenge, as a win could propel him into the top five of the division.

The stakes are high, as the winner could potentially earn a shot at the light heavyweight title. The event is set to take place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, with the ceremonial weigh-in scheduled for July 24, 2026. Fans can catch the weigh-in live on various platforms, including the UFC's YouTube channel.

This fight not only showcases elite striking skills but also highlights the unpredictable nature of the UFC, where opportunities can arise unexpectedly. Both fighters are prepared to leave it all in the octagon, making this a must-watch event for MMA fans.

Key Insight
“Guskov stepped in after Khalil Rountree's injury (he was originally set to fight Jan Blachowicz) and is on a four-fight knockout streak. The ceremonial weigh-in is July 24 at 7:00 a.m. PT/10:00 a.m. ET at Etihad Arena, with 13 fights featuring 26 fighters.”
CuriousCats studied:
1
MMA FightingMMA Fighting
“Dricus du Plessis picked up a lopsided win over Kamaru Usman at UFC Oklahoma City by Jul 23, 2026, 5:30 PM UTC”
MMA Fighting →
2
Yahoo SportsYahoo Sports
“In the battle between former UFC champs at UFC Oklahoma City, it was the past 185-pound champion Dricus du Plessis who got the lopsided victory over former welterweight titleholder Kamaru Usman.”
Yahoo Sports →
3
Eli Sports Network
“a main event that could dictate who may be fighting for the light heavyweight belt next and could also change one fighter’s career for the better.”
Eli Sports Network →
4
DraftKings NetworkDraftKings Network
“The Ceremonial Weigh-In for this event is taking place on Friday, July 24, one day before the event.”
DraftKings Network →
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EARLIER IN THE STORY:
Ankalaev targets Pereira heavyweight trilogy bout if he gets past Guskov; fighters take part in open workouts ahead of UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi
UFC.comUFC.com
Ankalaev targets Pereira heavyweight trilogy bout if he gets past Guskov; fighters take part in open workouts ahead of UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi

UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs Guskov takes place on Saturday, July 25 at 12:00 PM EDT at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi WeekendAnkalaev GuskovFight Night
2026-07-23
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Magomed Ankalaev is targeting a heavyweight trilogy bout against Alex Pereira if he can defeat Bogdan Guskov at UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi.
  • The UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs Guskov event is scheduled to take place on July 25 at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
  • Open workouts featured main event athletes Magomed Ankalaev and Bogdan Guskov, showcasing their skills to fans in Abu Dhabi.
  • UFC Abu Dhabi will feature a total of 13 MMA fights inside the Octagon, with the main event being a light heavyweight bout.
  • Guskov accepted the fight on short notice and described it as the biggest moment of his career, expressing excitement to headline in the UAE capital.
  • Ankalaev aims to return to the winning column after losing his light heavyweight title to Pereira in October last year.
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