Magomed Ankalaev Batters Bogdan Guskov for 5th-Round TKO, Calls Out Carlos Ulberg for Title Shot

Magomed Ankalaev made a violent statement in his first fight since losing the UFC light heavyweight title, stopping short-notice replacement Bogdan Guskov via fifth-round TKO in the main event of UFC Fight Night at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The former champion repeatedly dragged Guskov to the canvas and unloaded punches until the referee had seen enough, and he wasted no time afterward calling for a shot at current champion Carlos Ulberg.

Ankalaev, who entered the bout 21-2-1, was coming off the first loss of his 13-fight unbeaten UFC run, a title-losing decision to Alex Pereira. Guskov (18-3-1) stepped in on short notice after Khalil Rountree Jr. was pulled with an injury, forgoing his own planned Aug. 1 rematch with Jan Blachowicz to take the fight. Oddsmakers made Ankalaev a heavy -550 favorite, with Guskov sitting at +410, and the betting line proved prophetic almost from the opening bell.

How the Fifth-Round Finish Unfolded

The fight started slow, with MMAWeekly scoring the opening round for Guskov, but Ankalaev seized control from the second round onward, mixing in takedowns with hard punches from top position. Guskov showed genuine grit, even locking in an anaconda choke attempt in the championship rounds that Ankalaev calmly defended before moving back to dominant position. By the fifth round, Ankalaev had established a clear pattern: change levels, put Guskov on his back, and land a steady stream of ground-and-pound. When Guskov rolled to his knees and stopped defending himself against the incoming shots, the referee stepped in and called a halt to the bout at 2:41 of the fifth round, awarding Ankalaev the TKO.

It was a dominant, if not spectacular, response from a fighter who needed to show he could still separate himself from the pack after his lone career loss. Fans tracking the sport closely should keep an eye on how sportsbooks price his next appearance, and bettors weighing options for upcoming UFC cards can compare current lines through a DraftKings promo code before placing a wager.

Ankalaev Sets Sights on Ulberg and the Title

Moments after the stoppage, Ankalaev turned his attention to the 205-pound throne, telling media he’s coming back for the belt currently held by Ulberg, who won the vacant title while Ankalaev was sidelined. Ulberg, unbeaten in his last several outings and previously the recipient of Ankalaev’s public praise, is reportedly dealing with an injury that has kept him out of action, meaning any rematch or first meeting between the two is unlikely to be finalized immediately. Still, Ankalaev’s post-fight comments make clear he views Ulberg, not a rematch with Pereira, as his most direct path back to gold.

The co-main event also delivered fireworks, as flyweight contender Ramazan Temirov stopped Steve Erceg via first-round TKO, further cementing Abu Dhabi as a launching pad for finishes rather than decisions on this card. For a promotion still sorting out its light heavyweight picture after Pereira’s back-and-forth reign with Ankalaev, Saturday’s result adds real weight to the argument that the Dagestani striker-grappler remains the division’s most dangerous name even outside the champion’s seat.

What Comes Next for the Light Heavyweight Division

With Ulberg’s timeline uncertain and Ankalaev now removed from a two-fight layoff, the UFC faces a decision on how to book its next 205-pound title fight. A healthy Ulberg defending against Ankalaev would settle the argument Ulberg himself raised months ago when he said he wanted the assignment. In the meantime, expect Ankalaev to remain squarely in title contention conversations, and expect Guskov, who accepted the fight on short notice and still lasted into the fifth round against one of the sport’s most feared grapplers, to get another opportunity against ranked competition relatively soon.

For now, the takeaway from Abu Dhabi is straightforward: Ankalaev’s title loss to Pereira looks more like an aberration than the start of a decline, and the former champion has made it clear exactly who he wants next.