The light heavyweight division has another serious contender back in the championship conversation. At UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov, held Saturday, July 25, 2026, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, former UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev delivered an emphatic statement by stopping Bogdan Guskov via fifth-round TKO.
The main card also featured breakout performances from rising stars Ramazan Temirov and Magomed Zaynukov, while heavyweight Rizvan Kuniev added another impressive finish to a memorable night of action.
Magomed Ankalaev reminded the MMA world why he remains one of the elite fighters in the 205-pound division, overwhelming Bogdan Guskov before earning a technical knockout at 2:41 of the fifth round.
Coming off a title loss to Alex Pereira last October, Ankalaev entered the bout with something to prove, and he delivered a masterclass in calculated violence.
Throughout the opening three rounds, the Russian standout controlled the tempo with precise kicks, sharp counters, and disciplined distance management. Guskov searched for openings but repeatedly found himself frustrated by Ankalaev’s technical brilliance and defensive awareness.
As the championship rounds unfolded, Ankalaev increased his offensive output, mixing combinations with damaging ground-and-pound whenever opportunities presented themselves. The sustained assault finally became too much for Guskov, as Ankalaev unleashed a barrage of strikes that forced the referee to step in midway through the fifth round.
The victory firmly places Ankalaev back among the leading contenders in the light heavyweight division.
While his measured style may not always produce highlight-reel moments, his efficiency, fight IQ, and ability to neutralize dangerous opponents continue to make him one of the toughest challenges in the sport.
If there was a breakout performance on the card, it belonged to Uzbekistan’s Ramazan Temirov. Returning after a lengthy layoff, Temirov wasted little time making up for lost opportunities, knocking out former title challenger Steve Erceg at 4:21 of the opening round.
From the opening bell, Temirov pressed forward aggressively, launching devastating right hands with relentless pressure. Once Erceg was hurt, the unbeaten Uzbek never allowed him to recover.
Every attempt by the Australian to circle away or regain composure was met with another crushing right hand. The final punch folded Erceg to the canvas, ending the contest in spectacular fashion.
The victory improves Temirov to 3-0 inside the UFC Octagon while extending his overall winning streak to 12 consecutive fights.
Already viewed as one of the promotion’s fastest-rising flyweights, Temirov’s explosive finish should earn him a place in the rankings and position him for a high-profile opponent in his next appearance.
One of the evening’s most anticipated debuts belonged to undefeated Russian lightweight Magomed Zaynukov, and he did not disappoint.
The Dana White’s Contender Series Season 9 graduate dominated Poland’s Damian Rzepecki, earning a unanimous decision by identical scores of 30-27 across all three judges’ scorecards.
Despite suffering a painful accidental eye poke in the opening round that briefly halted the action, Zaynukov never lost focus.
Nicknamed “Chanco,” the undefeated prospect displayed an impressive and diverse striking arsenal while maintaining complete control throughout the contest. As the fight progressed, the skill gap became increasingly evident, with Zaynukov dictating both pace and positioning while preventing Rzepecki from mounting any meaningful offense.
The victory improves Zaynukov’s professional record to 9-0, reinforcing the belief that he could become a legitimate factor in the UFC’s stacked lightweight division sooner rather than later.
Though older than many recent UFC prospects, his polished skill set could accelerate his climb toward ranked competition.
The UFC’s latest visit to Abu Dhabi highlighted the continued emergence of elite talent from Russia and Central Asia.
Ankalaev reaffirmed his championship credentials in the main event, Temirov announced himself as one of the flyweight division’s most dangerous finishers, and Zaynukov showcased the well-rounded game that made him one of the most highly regarded prospects to enter the promotion this year.
Combined with another dominant finish from heavyweight Rizvan Kuniev, the card demonstrated the growing depth of international talent making waves inside the Octagon. For Ankalaev, however, the biggest prize may still lie ahead.
His dominant victory over Guskov serves as a powerful reminder that despite last year’s championship setback, he remains firmly in the hunt for UFC gold. If Saturday night’s performance was any indication, another light heavyweight title opportunity may not be far away.
