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 Ankalaev | Bogdan Guskov | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 34 | 33 |
| Height | 6’3” | 6’3” |
| Reach | 75 inches | 76 inches |
| Leg Reach | 46 inches | 41 inches |
| Record | 21-2-1 | 18-3-1 |
| Fighting Style | MMA | MMA |
| Finishing Rate | 52% | 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
UFC betting is a unique way to get closer to the action of the world’s biggest fights. And with live betting at the online sportsbook, the betting doesn’t stop when the fighters enter the octagon.
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