UFC Abu Dhabi went down on July 25 at the Etihad Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, featuring a light heavyweight main event between former champion Magomed Ankalaev and Bogdan Guskov. Ankalaev defeated Guskov via fifth-round TKO.
After outstriking Guskov in two slow rounds, Ankalaev worked him over in rounds three and four before scoring a TKO with ground-and-pound in the final round.
Ankalaev vs. Guskov result
Light Heavyweight: Magomed Ankalaev def. Bogdan Guskov via TKO (Rd. 5, 2:41) — The first round proved to be slow, as both men focused on scoring with just single shots. Ankalaev seemed to win that battle, as Guskov looked red around the face in the first. While the second round played out similarly, Guskov caught Ankalaev with a strong right hand late, prompting Ankalaev to use his wrestling and pin Guskov against the fence.
After the third round continued the pace, Ankalaev scored a takedown early in the fourth, working over Guskov and controlling from the top, landing several head strikes and nearly connecting on multiple choke attempts.
Guskov defended a takedown with a Hail Mary choke attempt in the fifth, but it wasn’t to be. Ankalaev then used his strikes to finish Guskov off in the fifth.
Co-main and main card results
Flyweight: Ramazan Temirov def. Steve Erceg via TKO (Rd. 1, 4:21) — Temirov troubled Erceg with a spinning back kick to the body at the start of the fight. Erceg tried to weather the storm and grapple up with Temirov, attempting to gain control back, but a few right hands wobbled and dropped Erceg, giving Temirov the biggest win of his career so far.
Lightweight: Magomed Zaynukov def. Damian Rzepecki via unanimous decision (30-27 x3) — Zaynukov picked Rzepecki apart in a dominant showing, courtesy of sharp elbows, well-timed kicks, and skilled wrestling.
Heavyweight: Rizvan Kuniev def. Tyrell Fortune via KO (Rd. 3, 1:12) — Kuniev found success attacking the body, landing a spinning back kick to hurt Fortune in round one and a flurry in round two. Kuniev landed a couple of damaging knees early in the third round to crumble Fortune for the win.
Welterweight: Abubakar Vagaev def. Saygid Izagakhmaev via unanimous decision (29-28 x3) — Vagaev used his wrestling to outlast Izagakhmaev in a grappling-heavy matchup, starving off a late surge and submission threats.
Prelim results
Heavyweight: Valter Walker def. Thomas Petersen via submission (calf slicer) (Rd. 1, 1:32) — After just one strike, Walker went right for the leg, and while he was unable to find the heel hook, Walker caught Petersen in a calf slicer for yet another quick submission win. Walker now has the longest active win streak in the UFC heavyweight division with five straight wins, all via first-round submission.
Light Heavyweight: Muhammad Saidov def. Dustin Jacoby via TKO (Rd. 2, 4:49) — Jacoby used his leg kicks to try and get inside, but Saidov pressured back with stronger and more effective strikes. Things finally ended in round two, when Saidov landed a right hand and head kick, followed by a flurry, to force a referee’s stoppage.
Welterweight: Sam Patterson def. Santiago Ponzinibbio via TKO (Rd. 2, 3:06) — After getting tagged in the opening minute, Patterson worked competitions and applied pressure, landing at will throughout round two en route to a finish.
Lightweight: Axel Sola def. Ismael Bonfim via submission (Brabo choke) (Rd. 1, 4:44) — While Bonfim continuously pursued a takedown, Sola landed strong elbows en route to locking up a rare Brabo choke for a submission victory.
Light Heavyweight: Magomed Tuchalov def. Brendson Ribeiro via unanimous decision (29-28 x3) — After surviving a knockdown at the end of round one, getting cut under an eye from a shot by Ribeiro, Tuchalov landed a stunning right hand in round two and used his wrestling to get the nod from the judges.
Lightweight: Nurullo Aliev def. Mike Davis via unanimous decision (30-27 x3) — Despite Davis’ submission threats and late flurries, Aliev scored multiple takedowns and dominated with top control, scoring a decision win that was closer than what the cards suggested.
Bantamweight: Abdul Hussein def. Cody Gibson via submission (head-and-arm choke) (Rd. 3, 3:07) — After a quick takedown and submission attempts to start the fight from Gibson, who took this fight on short notice, Hussein’s strikes wore Gibson down. After unsuccessful submission attempts in round two, Hussein scored a trip and a D’Arce on an exhausted Gibson in round three.
What’s next
This was Ankalaev’s first fight since losing the light heavyweight title to Alex Pereira at UFC 320 — a rematch of the UFC 313 encounter where Ankalaev became champion.
In his post-fight interview, Ankalaev said this was the start of his path back toward the title.
