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Magomed Ankalaev returned to winning ways on Saturday, July 25 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, dominating Bogdan Guskov before stopping him by TKO in the fifth round. The Russian, number one in the light heavyweight rankings, thus erases his January defeat to Alex Pereira and moves back into pole position for another title shot.
The main event of this Fight Night marked the UFC's return to the Emirati capital after several months away. Ankalaev, whose last appearance was at UFC 310 where he lost to Pereira by split decision, approached this bout with the pressure of a world number one who must prove he deserves another opportunity. The Dagestani simply could not afford to make a mistake.
The main event of this Fight Night marked the UFC's return to the Emirati capital after several months away.
A patient and methodical domination
Ankalaev never seemed in danger. For four rounds, he imposed constant pressure, mixing powerful kicks and ground control when the opportunity arose. Guskov, more explosive but less complete, tried to shorten the exchanges on the feet without ever finding the gap. The technical gap widened round after round, and the Russian seemed to control every aspect of the fight with almost disconcerting mastery.
The stoppage came at 2:41 of the fifth round. After a perfectly executed takedown, Ankalaev locked Guskov on the ground and landed strikes until the referee intervened. A clinical finish that reminds why the 33-year-old Dagestani remains the most credible candidate to dethrone Alex Pereira, even though the Brazilian had beaten him by split decision earlier in the year. That fight against Pereira, of rare intensity, had left a bitter taste for the Russian, who felt he had done enough to win. On Saturday, he left no room for doubt.
Temirov crushes Erceg and knocks on the door of the top 15
The co-main event delivered one of the most brutal KOs of the season. Ramazan Temirov, unranked before this fight, dispatched former flyweight title challenger Steve Erceg in the first round. A counter right hook switched off the Australian, who was nevertheless on a two-fight winning streak. The contrast was striking between Erceg's supposed experience and the Uzbek fighter's display of power.
For Temirov, this is much more than an isolated feat. The 28-year-old Uzbek fighter, unknown to the general public just six months ago, has just signed his fourth finish in four UFC fights. The clash against Erceg was presented as the toughest test of his career, and he sailed through it with an authority that surprised even the most seasoned commentators. Dana White delivered an unequivocal comment in the press conference: "This kid has something special." The UFC president, rarely stingy with superlatives but always cautious in his projections, hinted that a top-10 opponent awaits Temirov for his next fight. A meteoric rise that commands respect, no matter the lens through which one observes it.
Other highlights of the card
Valter Walker continued his impressive streak in the heavyweight division by securing a fifth consecutive first-round submission victory. The Brazilian, brother of champion Johnny Walker, imposes a pace that no one seems able to follow in the division. The regularity with which he dispatches his opponents before the end of the first round is becoming one of the most fascinating stories in the category.
Magomed Zaynukov also shone by dominating Damian Rzepecki over all three rounds in the lightweight division. The Russian, still undefeated in the UFC, climbs the ranks quietly but with a consistency that commands respect. His journey reminds us that the most solid careers are often built in the shadow of the headliners, fight after fight, without flash but without blemish.
The card delivered six finishes in twelve fights, a ratio that confirms the quality of the matchmaking for this return to Abu Dhabi. With Pereira expected in October to defend his belt, Ankalaev stands ready. After his performance on Saturday, it is hard to imagine another name at the top of the list of contenders in the light heavyweight division. The Russian did exactly what was expected of him: win, and win in authoritative fashion.
