Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight talents Magomed Ankalaev vs. Bogdan Guskov will clash TODAY (Sat., July 25, 2026) inside Paycom Center in Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for UFC Abu Dhabi.

It’s been the better part of year since Alex Pereira smoked Ankalaev in their rematch, unceremoniously ending the rivalry in about a minute. Looking back over Ankalaev’s career, it really feels like the 34-year-old Russian should have accomplished more. He’s been an elite fighter in a weak division for so long, and yet he only has a single title victory? “Big Ank” can begin to right the ship by defeating Guskov, a fairly successful new face in the Light Heavyweight ranks. Since coming up short in his UFC debut, Guskov has won four straight fights via finish and taken Jan Blachowicz to a draw, establishing himself as a dangerous new contender to watch. Ankalaev’s left kick should be a big part of his approach, because Guskov is very reliant on his right hand. If Ankalaev is intentionally slamming his shin into the forearm, it will help pin Guskov’s best weapon at home, which should further minimize the chances of a Guskov knockout.

Ankalaev is a Master of Sport in Combat Sambo who wrestles infrequently despite his clear ability to do so. Primarily, Ankalaev is a Southpaw counter striker with a great left leg and punishing counter right hook, but he can create offense on the front foot as well. This is a bout between a well-rounded fighter and a specialist. Guskov boxes, and that’s about it; meanwhile. Ankalaev can do it all … yet often chooses to box. In this matchup, it’s important that Ankalaev does not give Guskov the fight he wants. It’s Ankalaev’s responsibility to mix it up and force Guskov’s weaknesses into the light. That means wrestling. It means circling and kicking rather than entering the pocket of his own volition. Ankalaev doesn’t have to be afraid of exchanging with Guskov, but he should make him work very hard and eat shots to even have a chance at a fair trade of punches.