Ankalaev headlines a regional showcase in Abu Dhabi, with value on method-of-victory props, Temirov, and Over 1.5 rounds
UFC Fight Night card goes today at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, a great example of why UFC invests so heavily in these international Fight Night events.
Today’s card, which gets going at noon EST, is headlined by former light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev against a surging contender in Bogdan Guskov.
The events build title contenders. Ankalaev is coming off a loss to Alex Pereira (October 2025) and is looking to build his stock back up. Guskov can dramatically change his career trajectory with a win.
The UFC card today is loaded with regional fighters, guys from Central Asia, the Middle East, Russia, which boosts local interest.
Abu Dhabi has become one of the regular regional international stopovers for UFC, with excellent crowds and local government support. The Middle East is a key cog in UFC’s international growth strategy.
And many of the prospects who perform well today will likely appear on numbered marquee events in the future.
Today’s main card, and updated UFC betting odds from Betway this morning:
Magomed Ankalaev (No. 2) takes on No. 9-ranked Bogdan Guskov in today’s light heavyweight main event. At Betway, Ankalaev is a heavy -550 favourite, while Guskov is +400.
Steve Erceg (No. 13) takes on Ramazan Temirov in a flyweight bout. At Betway, the fight is essentially a pick’em, with both fighters priced at -110.
Magomed Zaynukov takes on Damian Rzepecki in a lightweight bout, with Zaynukov at -275 and Rzepecki at +210.
Rizvan Kuniev (Ranked No. 7) fights Tyrell Fortune in a heavyweight bout, with Kuniev the betting favorite at -334, Fortune at +250.
Finally on the main card, it’s a welterweight fight, Abubakar Vagaev versus Saygid Izagakhmaev, with Vagaev at -275, and Izagakhmaev at +210.
It’s an early start time, so you get your bets in this morning, before the opening bell. Analysts expect more stoppages than decisions with this card. Wrestling is going to be more the theme, with so many fighters from Russia and neighbouring countries.
The safest play is Ankalaev to win, but at that price? The Russian is a superior wrestler, has better striking variety, and is just a more complete mixed martial artist. So, I’ll go Ankalaev by KO/TKO or Disqualification at Betway (-163), since Guskov likes to pressure and will leave openings for the Russian to exploit, with his one-punch power.
A lot of money is coming in on Guskov at those odds, though. Bettors like the attractive underdog price, and he’s a dangerous finisher. All it takes is one clean punch. Guskov is coming off a draw against Jan Blachowicz in December and wins by TKO and submission before that. Ankalaev is coming off that title loss to Pereira. Will he fight more conservatively?
Ankalaev to win by decision is +350, if you think the Russian will instead want to control distance, mixing in takedowns, if he respects Guskov’s power. That would be the safer route in getting the win, if you think Guskov has too much potential.
I’ll also take Over 1.5 Rounds at -176, since Ankalaev can be very methodical and patient, and if he can avoid the knockout, he can push this to the middle rounds.
That price on the fight not going the distance (-450) is too expensive, so I’ll dip into some of the other fights.
I’ll take Temirov over Erceg, with Erceg coming back from a tough outing in May against Tim Elliott (an Erceg unanimous decision over three rounds), factoring in Temirov’s explosiveness.
