Bogdan Guskov accepted a main-event fight against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC Abu Dhabi without needing much time to decide, MMA Fighting reported.
The bout will take place on July 25 and will be Guskov’s first UFC main event. He was originally due to rematch Jan Blachowicz in Belgrade a week later after their previous contest ended in a majority draw.
“Yes, because I [look at] this fight like [a big] chance. This chance can change my career, change my life, and this Ankalaev, I think [he has bigger] name than Jan. I [didn’t] need to think a lot of time because UFC after when [asking about a] fight, everybody say, ‘Oh I say yes, I say no, I am safe for me to go to scale, I need to go to another country, [to] another planet.’ For me, [didn’t] need time for me to say, ‘Hey, let’s go.’ I say let’s go like this, 50 seconds.” — Bogdan Guskov.
Guskov is unbeaten in five fights since losing his UFC debut to Volkan Oezdemir in September 2023. All four of his wins inside the octagon have come by stoppage, including victories over Ryan Spann and Nikita Krylov.
“Carlos have an injury now. Maybe after this win, maybe give another opponent. For me, it doesn’t matter who, but just chance for a fight chance for a fight [for] interim title.” — Bogdan Guskov.
Ankalaev will return for the first time since losing the light heavyweight title to Alex Pereira. Current champion Carlos Ulberg is sidelined after winning the belt.
UFC Fight Night will take place in Abu Dhabi on July 25. The five-round main-event format will be a career first for the 33-year-old Guskov.
