The UFC returns to Abu Dhabi on Saturday for its first event in the city this year, with a high-stakes light heavyweight showdown headlining the action at Etihad Arena. Former champion Magomed Ankalaev was originally slated to face Khalil Rountree Jr., but after Rountree withdrew because of an injury, No. 9-ranked Bogdan Guskov has stepped in to take on Ankalaev on short notice.
For Ankalaev, the matchup represents another vital opportunity to strengthen his case for a return to the title picture. The 33-year-old captured the UFC light heavyweight championship by defeating Alex Pereira in March 2025 before losing the belt in their rematch seven months later, marking just the second defeat of his UFC career. A victory on Saturday would put the No. 2-ranked contender firmly back in the conversation for another shot at the belt.
Guskov, meanwhile, enters with plenty of momentum despite taking the fight on short notice. Since dropping his promotional debut in September 2023, the Uzbekistan native has gone unbeaten in five consecutive appearances, a stretch highlighted by four finishes and a draw against former champion Jan Błachowicz at UFC 323 last December. An upset over Ankalaev would easily stand as the biggest win of his career and could propel him into the upper tier of the light heavyweight rankings.
Saturday’s card also features several intriguing matchups across multiple weight classes, including a flyweight clash between former title challenger Steve Erceg and Ramazan Temirov, plus undefeated welterweight prospect Islam Dulatov taking on veteran Wellington Turman. Below are the latest odds, full fight card, and betting markets available at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook.
UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov Odds at Hard Rock Bet
Ankalaev opens as a commanding -550 favorite to defend his position near the top of the light heavyweight rankings, while Guskov is listed as a +400 underdog after accepting the fight with little time to prepare.
Referenced odds are subject to change.
Favorite | Underdog |
|---|---|
| Magomed Ankalaev (-550) | Bogdan Guskov (+400) |
| Ramazan Temirov (-115) | Steve Erceg (-105) |
| Islam Dulatov (-900) | Wellington Turman (+550) |
| Magomed Zaynukov (-325) | Damian Rzepecki (+240) |
| Rizvan Kuniev (-325) | Tyrell Fortune (+250) |
| Axel Sola (-200) | Ismael Bonfim (+160) |
| Valter Walker (-180) | Thomas Petersen (+145) |
| Sam Patterson (-425) | Santiago Ponzinibbio (+325) |
| Magomed Tuchalov (-750) | Brendson Ribeiro (+500) |
| Nurullo Aliev (-230) | Mike Davis (+180) |
| Abubakar Vagaev (-260) | Saygid Izakhmaev (+210) |
Betting Markets at Hard Rock Bet
Whether you have a strong read on the outcome or are targeting a specific prop, Hard Rock Bet offers a full slate of betting markets for Ankalaev vs. Guskov along with the rest of Saturday’s card:
- 🥊 Fight Winner
- 🎯 Same Game Parlay (SGP)
- 👊 Winning Method (KO/TKO/DQ, Submission or Decision)
- 🔥 Fight Goes the Distance / Doesn’t Go the Distance
- ⚖️ Finish Only Winner or Decision Only Winner
- 💥 Fighter to Win by Finish
- 📈 Round Betting
- ⏱️ Fight to Reach Round 2, 3, 4 or 5
- 🎲 Winning Round & Method
- 🔢 Alternate Winning Round (Individual & Grouped)
UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov Time, Date & Location
- 📅 Date: Saturday, July 25
- ⏰ Start Time: 9:00 AM ET (Prelims), 12:00 PM ET (Main Card)
- 🏟️ Location: Etihad Arena – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- 💻 Streaming: Paramount+
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