UFC Abu Dhabi Preview: Ankalaev vs. Guskov Odds, Fight Card and Film Study
By Real Combat Media MMA Editorial Staff
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, (July 25th, 2026)–The UFC returns to Etihad Arena on Yas Island Saturday for UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov, a 13 fight card headlined by a light heavyweight clash between former champion Magomed Ankalaev and surging contender Bogdan Guskov. Prelims open on Paramount+ at 9 a.m. ET, with the main card following at noon ET.
All 13 fighters made weight Friday, and the promotion’s 23rd visit to Abu Dhabi carries real stakes at the top of the card. Ankalaev is looking to answer his first loss since 2018, while Guskov steps in on short notice chasing the biggest win of his career.
Main Event Film Study: Ankalaev vs. Guskov
Ankalaev (21-2-1, 1 NC) enters as a -550 favorite after a rough five minutes at UFC 320 last October, where he lost the light heavyweight title to Alex Pereira by TKO in just 80 seconds. Before that stoppage, the 34 year old southpaw had built the second longest unbeaten streak in UFC light heavyweight history, mixing heavy leg kicks and a stiff jab with a Combat Sambo base that makes him a live grappling threat any time a fight hits the mat. He was originally booked against Khalil Rountree Jr., but Rountree pulled out with an injury two weeks before fight night.
Guskov (18-3-1) stepped up on short notice and enters his first UFC main event with a finish in 15 of his 18 career wins. He joined the UFC in September 2023 with a first round submission loss to Volkan Oezdemir, then reeled off four straight finishes before a majority draw with Jan Blachowicz this past December. He is a +410 underdog, but his power and durability mean this fight has finish potential, and Ankalaev has never faced a puncher with quite this much one shot ability at 205 pounds.
Co-Main Film Study: Erceg vs. Temirov
Steve Erceg (14-4) headlines the flyweight co-main against Ramazan Temirov (19-2) in what oddsmakers have treated as close to a coin flip all week. Erceg, a former title challenger who went the distance with Alexandre Pantoja, has rebuilt his stock with back to back decision wins over Ode Osbourne and Tim Elliott after a rough KO loss to Kai Kara-France. His length, jab, and championship level experience give him an edge if the fight reaches the second and third rounds.
Temirov returns from a year long suspension carrying real one punch power, an explosive, karate influenced striking style that has produced finishes in 17 of his 19 career wins. He is unbeaten in the UFC at 2-0, but the long layoff and questions about his cardio past the first round make this fight a genuine puzzle. If Temirov cannot close the show early, the smart money favors Erceg’s engine and technical edge over the final ten minutes.
Full Fight Card
Main Card (Paramount+, 12 p.m. ET)
Light Heavyweight: Magomed Ankalaev (21-2-1, 1 NC) vs. Bogdan Guskov (18-3-1)
Flyweight: Steve Erceg (14-4) vs. Ramazan Temirov (19-2)
Welterweight: Islam Dulatov (12-1) vs. Wellington Turman (18-8)
Lightweight: Magomed Zaynukov (8-0) vs. Damian Rzepecki (10-0)
Heavyweight: Rizvan Kuniev (13-3-1, 1 NC) vs. Tyrell Fortune (18-3, 2 NC)
Welterweight: Abubakar Vagaev (24-4) vs. Saygid Izagakhmaev (22-3)
Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 9 a.m. ET)
Heavyweight: Valter Walker (15-1) vs. Thomas Petersen (11-4)
Lightweight: Axel Sola (11-1-1) vs. Ismael Bonfim (20-6)
Light Heavyweight: Dustin Jacoby (22-9-1) vs. Muhammad Saidov (9-0)
Welterweight: Santiago Ponzinibbio (31-9) vs. Sam Patterson (14-3-1)
Lightweight: Nurullo Aliev (11-0) vs. Mike Davis (N/A)
Light Heavyweight: Magomed Tuchalov (6-0) vs. Brendson Ribeiro (17-10, 1 NC)
Bantamweight: Cody Gibson (N/A) vs. Abdul Hussein (N/A)
Betting Odds
Magomed Ankalaev (-550) vs. Bogdan Guskov (+410)
Steve Erceg (-115) vs. Ramazan Temirov (-105)
Islam Dulatov (-1050) vs. Wellington Turman (+675)
Magomed Zaynukov (-290) vs. Damian Rzepecki (+230)
Rizvan Kuniev (-340) vs. Tyrell Fortune (+270)
Abubakar Vagaev (-245) vs. Saygid Izagakhmaev (+200)
Valter Walker (-170) vs. Thomas Petersen (+142)
Axel Sola (-192) vs. Ismael Bonfim (+160)
Dustin Jacoby (-175) vs. Muhammad Saidov (+145)
Santiago Ponzinibbio (+370) vs. Sam Patterson (-485)
Nurullo Aliev (-230) vs. Mike Davis (+190)
Magomed Tuchalov (-800) vs. Brendson Ribeiro (+550)
Cody Gibson (+410) vs. Abdul Hussein (-550)
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook and subject to change. Must be 21+ and present in a state where sports betting is legal. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Ankalaev vs Guskov Weigh-Ins Video Highlights
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