Ankalaev Meets Guskov: A Landmark Night for Uzbekistan at UFC Abu Dhabi

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 04: Magomed Ankalaev of Russia enters the Octagon in the UFC light heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 320 event at T-Mobile Arena on October 04, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

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The UFC’s weekend lineup shifted when an injury forced Khalil Rountree Jr. out of the original main event. Former light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev will now face Bogdan Guskov, with both fighters looking to leverage the victory into a title shot. Here is a breakdown of UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Event: UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov (UFC Fight Night 282)
• Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026
• Location: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, UAE
• Start times: Prelims 9 a.m. ET / Main card 12 p.m. ET
• How to watch (U.S.): Paramount+
• Main event: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Bogdan Guskov, light heavyweight
• Highest Hype Score on the card: Ankalaev vs. Guskov (80)

Why Does Ankalaev vs. Guskov Headline the Card?

Although a championship is not on the line in Abu Dhabi, a decisive victory places Ankalaev back into the thick of the light heavyweight divisional race. He lost the title to Alex Pereira in the first round last October, ending a 14-fight unbeaten streak. A strong performance here restores his credibility as a top contender.

Guskov accepted the bout on short notice and currently carries a five-fight unbeaten streak with a perfect 100 percent finish rate. By stepping into the headline role, he becomes the first fighter from Uzbekistan to lead a UFC card. His countryman Ramazan Temirov headlines the co-main event, marking a historic double-header for the double-landlocked nation.

What Makes the Rest of the Abu Dhabi Card Special?

The co-main event is the most compelling attraction outside the headline. Steve Erceg faces Ramazan Temirov in a flyweight clash between elite contenders that has the potential to capture Fight of the Night. Additionally, ranked heavyweight Rizvan Kuniev takes on American Tyrell Fortune, with both fighters sitting in the top ten of the division.

Submission ace Valter Walker meets Thomas Petersen on the preliminary card. Another victory for Walker, particularly via leg lock, would almost certainly propel him into title contention. His bout anchors the prelims, though the rest of the card is built on genuine contenders rather than marquee names.

UFC Abu Dhabi Full Card and Hype Scores

Every bout on the card, graded on the Hype Meter and scored out of 100. Bout order is subject to late changes.

Main card (12 p.m. ET)

• Magomed Ankalaev vs. Bogdan Guskov (LHW) — Hype Score 80
• Steve Erceg vs. Ramazan Temirov (FLW) — Hype Score 62
• Rizvan Kuniev vs. Tyrell Fortune (HW) — Hype Score 41
• Islam Dulatov vs. Wellington Turman (WW) — Hype Score 27
• Magomed Zaynukov vs. Damian Rzepecki (LW) — Hype Score 22
• Abubakar Vagaev vs. Saygid Izagakhmaev (WW) — Hype Score 20

Prelims (9 a.m. ET)

• Valter Walker vs. Thomas Petersen (HW) — Hype Score 60
• Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Sam Patterson (WW) — Hype Score 50
• Ismael Bonfim vs. Axel Sola (LW) — Hype Score 30
• Dustin Jacoby vs. Muhammad Said (LHW) — Hype Score 26
• Nurullo Aliev vs. Mike Davis (LW) — Hype Score 24
• Abdul Hussein vs. Cody Gibson (BW) — Hype Score 23
• Brendson Ribeiro vs. Brendson Ribeiro Magomed Tuchalov (LHW) — Hype Score

How Does the Entire UFC Abu Dhabi Card Rate?

Aggregated through the Hype Meter, UFC Abu Dhabi lands at an overall Hype Score of 60 out of 100, placing it in Solid territory. The score distribution weights the main event at 40 percent, the co-main at 20 percent, the remainder of the main card at 25 percent, and the top preliminary fight at 15 percent.

The event hinges almost entirely on its top three matchups. Ankalaev-Guskov (80), the Erceg-Temirov co-main (62), and Walker’s preliminary bout (60) which arguably deserves a main card slot carry the show. A middle stage dominated by emerging prospects keeps the card from reaching Strong Card status. For viewers setting an early alarm for the U.S. start time, these three fights provide the necessary motivation.

What Is the Hype Meter?

The Hype Meter is a proprietary formula designed to gauge the overall fan appeal of each UFC event. It evaluates fighter notoriety, accomplishment, stakes, and developing storylines.

Each fight is individually scored from one to ten on those four metrics, weighted most heavily toward notoriety and stakes, then converted into a score out of one hundred. The event score blends the main card and the top preliminary into the single number displayed above.

The Hype Meter scale:

• 85 and up — Must-Watch
• 70 to 84 — Strong Card
• 55 to 69 — Solid
• 40 to 54 — One Reason to Watch
• Below 40 — Deep Cut

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