Magomed Ankalaev, a former champion, is officially back in the Octagon this Saturday night, headlining UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi against a late replacement in Bogdan Guskov. This is huge for Ankalaev, who hasn’t fought since his light heavyweight title rematch with Alex Pereira, a fight he entered with a significant rib injury. He’s now planning to “erase that memory quickly on Saturday,” and you know he’s coming out swinging.
Ankalaev’s Big Return and a Shocking Injury Reveal
Dude, Ankalaev was originally slated to face Khalil Rountree Jr., but an injury took Rountree out, opening the door for Guskov. This is Ankalaev’s first fight since that Pereira rematch, and honestly, knowing he fought that one with a *significant rib injury* changes everything. Talk about grit, right? But now, he’s planning on wiping that whole memory clean this Saturday. You know a guy coming back from something like that, with that kind of fire, is going to put on a show. The stakes are through the roof for him to make a statement in his first appearance back.
Bogdan Guskov: The Guy Nobody Saw Coming
Now, let’s talk about Bogdan Guskov, the guy stepping up on short notice. This dude is a rising contender who was actually getting ready for another fight next week over in Serbia. He was on a four-fight win streak, then pulled off a draw against another former champion, Jan Blachowicz, in his last outing. He was even prepping for a Blachowicz rematch when the call came for this main event. Guskov is clearly fearless, jumping into a headline spot against a former champ like Ankalaev. This is a massive opportunity for him to absolutely explode onto the scene and show everyone what he’s made of. You gotta respect that kind of confidence!
Catch All the Action from Abu Dhabi on Paramount+
You do NOT want to miss this light heavyweight collision! The main card kicks off at Noon ET this Saturday, July 25, live from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Want to catch all the fights? Paramount+ is where it’s at. This isn’t just a one-off; every UFC numbered event and UFC Fight Night streams exclusively on Paramount+ for the next seven years through 2033. It’s a monumental move, making UFC more accessible than ever before. You just subscribe starting at $8.99 a month or $89.99 a year, and boom, you get all the live events and an extensive archive of UFC content. No additional fee for live events, meaning we can finally say goodbye to pay-per-view! You can even stream in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. This weekend, we find out if Ankalaev can erase his past or if Guskov can shock the world. Get ready!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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