Magomed Ankalaev enters UFC Abu Dhabi as a large favourite on July 25 over short-notice alternative Bogdan Guskov, and the five-round format leans towards the Russian former champion. The betting choose is Ankalaev by unanimous resolution, with late TKO a stay various if Guskov fades after an aggressive begin.
The previous champion Ankalaev is listed round -460 on the moneyline, whereas Guskov sits at +360. In US odds, a $460 wager on Ankalaev would return $100 in revenue, whereas a $100 Guskov guess would return $360 if the underdog pulls it off. The implied possibilities sit close to 80 p.c for Ankalaev and 20 p.c for Guskov. For followers in states with out authorized sports activities betting, battle night time leisure can nonetheless include a gaming twist via the BigPirate Sweepstakes Casino, which presents casino-style video games playable without spending a dime with sweepstakes prizes.
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Bogdan Guskov Odds
Ankalaev owns a 20-2 report and has competed in title-level, five-round settings, whereas Guskov is taking his first UFC predominant occasion after changing Khalil Rountree Jr. lower than two weeks earlier than the July 25 bout at Etihad Area in Abu Dhabi.
The 34-year-old defeated Alex Pereira by five-round unanimous resolution to win the UFC gentle heavyweight title at UFC 313, and he later added a choice over Aleksandar Rakic. His résumé has extra confirmed rounds in opposition to elite opposition than Guskov’s.
Ankalaev’s newest look was a first-round TKO loss to Alex Pereira of their UFC 320 rematch final October, ending the title reign he started by beating Pereira. Earlier than that, he outpointed Aleksandar Rakic and stopped Johnny Walker, so a measured win over Guskov would settle him after the Pereira setback and depart him in place to pursue one other elite opponent or a return shot on the belt.
Guskov final fought Jan Blachowicz to a majority draw at UFC 323 in December, following a July 2025 knockout of Nikita Krylov, a guillotine end of Billy Elekana and a second-round stoppage of Ryan Spann. Ranked No. 10, Guskov has an actual likelihood to crash the highest tier by beating a former champion and present No. 2 contender in a five-round predominant occasion would make it onerous for the UFC to e book him outdoors the top-five dialog subsequent.
Guskov is a harmful alternative as a result of he doesn’t want a busy scorecard to alter the night time. The Uzbek fighter has 18 wins, each one through end, together with 13 first-round stoppages; his UFC wins embody knockout victories over Zac Pauga and Ryan Spann, plus a guillotine submission of Billy Elekana.
The priority is the bounce in opponent and length. Guskov has just one UFC battle that reached the second spherical, whereas Ankalaev has repeatedly dealt with 25-minute pacing and tactical fights. Guskov’s finest likelihood is to make the opening 10 minutes messy, throw onerous to the physique and head, and catch Ankalaev throughout an trade earlier than the favourite can set up his rhythm.
Again Magomed Ankalaev to win by resolution. Guskov has sufficient energy to make the primary spherical uncomfortable, however Ankalaev ought to use his cleaner protection, feints, kicking recreation and occasional wrestling to financial institution rounds, restrict huge exchanges, and take over because the alternative fighter’s tempo drops. A Guskov knockout is the upset state of affairs. Ankalaev by resolution is the extra probably end result.
