Former UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev locked horns with short-notice opponent Bogdan Guskov in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi earlier tonight after Khalil Rountree Jr. pulled out due to an injury.
As the five-round headliner clash began, both fighters utilized the first 5 minutes trying to find their range and momentum. Both traded big swings early, but neither managed to land anything clean or score significant damage.
Round 2 was similar, with significantly lower output from both sides. Magomed Ankalaev did control the pace for the majority of the second stanza but failed to inflict any significant damage on Guskov. The Russian fighter also shot for a takedown, which “Czarevitch” stuffed with ease.
As Round 3 began, Guskov looked like the fresher fighter. He stayed composed throughout, staying completely away from the pocket and making Ankalev chase him the entire time as the 34-year-old grew tired in the process.
It looks like the Uzbek fighter’s strategy is to drag Ankalaev into deep waters and then hunt for the finish once the former UFC champion is tired.
This super-slow-paced main event’s Round 4 began with Ankalaev taking Guskov down and working from the top position to land nonstop strikes to bloody up Guskov. During the brief grappling exchange, Ankalaev took Guskov’s back and tried to sink in a rare naked choke several times but failed.
The fifth and final stanza began with Ankalaev once more taking Guskov down with ease right away. The 33-year-old immediately attempted a guillotine when he was on his back. Still, Ankalaev, with another perfect scramble, escaped the danger, after which, with ground and pound, he secured a TKO finish at UFC Abu Dhabi to return to the win column.
Official decision: Magomed Ankalaev defeated Bogdan Guskov via TKO in Round 5 (2:41)
