ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JULY 24: Magomed Ankalaev grapples with Bogdan Guskov in their light heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Etihad Arena July 24, 2026 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) Magomed Ankalaev may not have turned in an eye-opening performance earlier today (Sat., July 25, 2026) at UFC Abu Dhabi LIVE on Paramount+ from inside Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE, but the former UFC light heavyweight champion still returned to the win column with a late TKO finish over short-notice replacement Bogdan Guskov. Ankalaev, who was coming off a title loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 313 all the way back in March 2025, is not known to be the most exciting fighter at 205 pounds. The talented Russian fighter typically plays it safe in order to force his opponent to make a mistake and then pounce. Ankalaev certainly has the skills to push the pace and find a finish, but he usually lets it come to him. That’s a smart gameplan if you’re Ankalaev, but it made for a slow watch on Saturday as the former UFC light heavyweight king went toe-to-toe with Guskov. While Guskov is a dangerous striker who came into this weekend on a four-fight win streak he was a massive betting underdog and for good reason. There was nothing Guskov was better at and he never competed at this level before. As expected, Ankalaev took his time with Guskov. He didn’t rush into exchanges on the feet and eventually mixed in some wrestling and ground-and-pound to soften the knockout artist up. Guskov hung in as long as he could, but Ankalaev’s pressure piled up and it gave him a window of opportunity to finish the fight in the fifth and final frame. Ankalaev capitalized and rained down heavy punches from top control along the fence to force the referee’s hand. It’s probably not enough to earn Ankalaev another shot at UFC gold his next time out, but still a great way to get back on the map. Check out the video highlights below: Magomed Ankalaev goes full GNP for the R5 stoppage! 💪 [ #UFCAbuDhabi | LIVE on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/ZTRGNhaWRe — UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) July 25, 2026 For complete UFC Abu Dhabi results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.