The UFC returns on Saturday with an exciting event, as ranked UFC light heavyweight contenders Magomed Ankalaev and Bogdan Guskov headline the UFC Abu Dhabi card inside Etihad Arena on Yas Island, UAE.

Ankalaev, who’s a former UFC light heavyweight title contender and the No. 1 contender in the division, heads into the match as the heavy betting favorite with -600 UFC odds, while Guskov is going to be the overwhelming betting underdog with +425 odds.

UFC Abu Dhabi: Ankalaev vs. Guskov Fight Odds

Magomed Ankalaev: -600
Bogdan Guskov: +425

UFC Abu Dhabi: Ankalaev vs. Guskov: Tale of the Tape

Magomed AnkalaevBogdan GuskovAge3433Height6’3”6’3”Reach75 inches76 inchesLeg Reach46 inches41 inchesRecord21-2-118-3-1Fighting StyleMMAMMAFinishing Rate52%100%

UFC Abu Dhabi: Ankalaev vs. Guskov: Prediction

I predict a decision win for Ankalaev over Guskov, as he’s the more well-rounded fighter. Ankalaev’s championship experience and fights with higher-ranked contenders in the division will also be a big advantage for him.

Guskov is a heavy hitter, but Ankalaev is used to fighting these types of fighters. What he usually does against such opponents is throw sharp, quick counters. The former UFC light heavyweight king also employs a grappling-heavy approach to neutralize them.

Guskov is a short-notice replacement opponent for Ankalaev, and I believe he’ll grind him out into a decision result to minimize damage and cruise into a comfortable victory. But a fantastic win for Ankalaev could easily earn him another crack at the title.

Magomed Ankalaev’s Recent Fight Results

Ankalaev was the former WFCA champion when he joined the UFC in 2018. He recorded three wins, one loss, and one draw in his last five fights. His victories were against Johnny Walker, Aleksandar Rakic, and Alex Pereira, while his loss was to Pereira (in their rematch) and his draw was to Walker (in their first meeting).

Bogdan Guskov’s Recent Fight Results

Guskov made his octagon debut in 2023. In his last five bouts under the Las Vegas-based promotion, he racked up four wins (Zac Pauga, Ryan Spann, Billy Elekana, and Nikita Krylov) and one draw (Jan Blachowicz).

UFC Abu Dhabi: Ankalaev vs. Guskov Fight Card

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Bogdan Guskov, light heavyweight fight
Steve Erceg vs. Ramazan Temirov, flyweight fight
Islam Dulatov vs. Wellington Turman, welterweight fight
Magomed Zaynukov vs. Damian Rzepecki, lightweight fight
Rizvan Kuniev vs. Tyrell Fortune, heavyweight fight
Abubakar Vagaev vs. Saygid Izagakhmaev, welterweight fight
Ismael Bonfim vs. Axel Sola, lightweight fight
Valter Walker vs. Thomas Petersen, heavyweight fight
Dustin Jacoby vs. Muhammad Said, light heavyweight fight
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Sam Patterson, welterweight fight
Magomed Tuchalov vs. Brendson Ribeiro, light heavyweight fight
Nurullo Aliev vs. Mike Davis, lightweight fight
Cody Gibson vs. Abdul Hussein, bantamweight fight

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