Magomed Ankalaev and Bogdan Guskov headline UFC Abu Dhabi event

Magomed Ankalaev and Bogdan Guskov headline UFC Abu Dhabi event

The UFC returned to the United Arab Emirates for its 23rd visit to Abu Dhabi, hosting a Fight Night event at the Etihad Arena. The card featured a five-round light heavyweight main event between No. 2 ranked Magomed Ankalaev and No. 9 ranked Bogdan Guskov.

The matchup was forged by a late change to the lineup. Ankalaev was originally scheduled to fight former title challenger Khalil Rountree Jr., but Rountree withdrew due to injury two weeks before the event. Guskov accepted the fight on short notice, stepping in after he had been scheduled to compete a week later at UFC Fight Night 283 in Serbia.

Ankalaev entered the bout with a career record of 21 wins, two losses, and one draw. He is returning to the Octagon following a title loss in a rematch against Alex Pereira in October. Prior to that defeat, Ankalaev had maintained an unbeaten streak across 14 UFC appearances, dating back to his debut loss against Paul Craig in March 2018.

Guskov brought a record of 18 wins and three losses into his first UFC headlining appearance. After making his debut in September 2023, the Uzbek fighter won four consecutive bouts via finish. However, that momentum plateaued in his most recent appearance, which ended in a majority draw against former champion Jan Blachowicz.

The two fighters bring contrasting statistical profiles to the light heavyweight clash. Ankalaev averages 3.65 strikes landed per minute with a 53% striking accuracy rate. He maintains an 88% takedown defense rate and averages 0.79 takedowns every 15 minutes. His striking distribution consists of 56% to the head, 27% to the body, and 17% to the legs.

Guskov, who has no recorded takedowns in his career, relies on a high knockout rate, with 15 of his 18 wins coming via KO. He averages 3.87 strikes per minute with a 51% striking accuracy rate. Unlike Ankalaev, Guskov splits his striking more evenly between the head and body, landing 43% to each and 14% to the legs.

The event took place at the Etihad Arena, also known as the Yas Bay Arena, which opened in 2021 and can hold 18,000 spectators. The venue has previously hosted UFC 257, UFC 267, and UFC 280.

In the co-main event, Steve Erceg faced Ramazan Temirov. Erceg entered the contest with 14 wins and four losses, including six wins by submission. He averages 4.64 strikes landed per minute and has a 67% takedown defense rate. Temirov, holding a record of 19 wins and three losses, entered the fight with 11 knockout victories and a 100% takedown defense rate in his career.

Early action on the preliminary card saw Abdul Hussein defeat Cody Gibson via an arm triangle choke submission at 3:07 of the first round in a bantamweight bout.

The event was streamed via Paramount+, with the seven-fight preliminary card starting at 9 a.m. ET and the main card beginning at 12 p.m. ET.