UFC Fight Night preview: Ankalaev returns with something to prove

The octagon travels back to Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE, this Saturday for an action-packed UFC Fight Night event featuring 13 bouts.

This should be an awesome fight card as there are plenty of interesting storylines to follow. It’s also worth noting that this event begins at 9 a.m. ET / 6 a.m. PT, so don’t forget to set your alarm.

Key clash in light heavyweight bout

In the main event, former UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev battles Bogdan Guskov for five rounds or less in a key bout at 205 pounds.

Ankalaev has not fought since UFC 320 last October, when he was knocked out by Alex Pereira to lose the UFC light heavyweight title in his first title defence. It was not the night that Ankalaev had hoped for, as he was finished in just 80 seconds by the powerful knockout artist Pereira. But now, after nine months away from the Octagon, the 34-year-old Russian is ready to return to the cage and prove that he is still among the best light heavyweight fighters in the division.

Originally, this main event fight at UFC Abu Dhabi was set to feature Ankalaev and Khalil Rountree Jr., but when Rountree withdrew due to injuries, rising contender Guskov stepped in on short notice to take the fight.

Guskov has been red hot as of late, as he’s unbeaten in his last five UFC fights after losing his debut in 2023. The 33-year-old Uzbekistan native is a powerful knockout artist with submission prowess, and he will be looking to pull off a major upset and defeat the far more experienced Ankalaev in this main event fight.

While Ankalaev is the clear favourite to win due to all his success and experience inside the Octagon, you can’t completely count out Guskov from winning the fight due to his knockout power and submission ability.

Either way, the winner of Ankalaev vs. Guskov is going to put themselves in a prime position to challenge UFC light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg for the belt when the champ returns from his torn ACL in 2027.

Looking to keep pace in flyweight title picture

In the co-main event, two top flyweights go at it when Steve Erceg battles Ramazan Temirov in a key fight at 125 pounds, as the winner of the bout will keep pace in the crowded UFC flyweight title picture, where several contenders are vying for champion Joshua Van’s belt.

Erceg, who lost a razor-thin decision to former UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 301 in May 2024 in a failed bid to capture gold at 125 pounds, has won his last two fights in a row to reemerge as a flyweight title contender. But if he wants to get another title shot, then he’s going to have to get past Temirov, who has won 11 straight fights, including a 2-0 record so far in the UFC.

Temirov, however, has not fought since last March, when he defeated respected flyweight veteran Charles Johnson in the biggest victory of his career, as he tested positive for banned substances following the bout. But after 16 months away, he’s now ready to return to the cage and prove that he is still one of the best flyweights in the world.

Top lightweight prospect makes long-awaited UFC debut

Several prospects are making their UFC debuts on this card, but the one that fans are excited for the most is Magomed Zaynukov.

Affectionately known as "John Pork" to MMA fans, Zaynukov earned a UFC contract after a standout performance on Dana White’s Contender Series last fall. A teammate and friend of UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, Zaynukov has elite striking skills, and his addition to the UFC lightweight division is a good one. At 8-0, he’s undefeated in his MMA career, and the former kickboxing standout will look to show off his skills in his UFC debut.

Zaynukov takes on another undefeated prospect in Damian Rzepecki, who is 10-0 in his own MMA career. The Polish fighter comes to the UFC with high expectations, and the fact that the matchmakers gave him such a tough opponent for his debut shows how highly they think of him.

This lightweight bout between two standout strikers in Zaynukov and Rzepecki could very well steal the show at UFC Abu Dhabi, so don’t be surprised if it wins Fight of the Night.

Other top prospects making UFC debuts

In addition to Zaynukov and Rzepecki, several other top prospects are making their UFC debut, as six fighters in total are stepping into the Octagon for the first time at this event.

At welterweight, Abubakar Vagaev debuts in the UFC on a three-fight win streak against Saygid Izagakhmaev in a battle between Team Nurmagomedov and Team Chimaev teammates.

At light heavyweight, undefeated prospect Muhammad Said steps in on short notice to fight veteran knockout artist Dustin Jacoby in a fight that is very unlikely to go the full three rounds.

In another light heavyweight bout, Magomed Tuchalov also makes his UFC debut when he takes on Brendson Ribeiro in a fight that will likely feature a highlight-reel finish.

Finally, bantamweight prospect Abdul Hussein fights inside the Octagon for the first time when he battles former Ultimate Fighter standout Cody Gibson.

UFC Abu Dhabi this Saturday has the makings of a fantastic card featuring a mix of both veteran fighters and debutants among the 13 fights.