UFC Abu Dhabi will transfer ahead with a brand new most important occasion.
The UFC is ready to make its annual return to the United Arab Emirates with an occasion on July 25 on the Etihad Enviornment in Abu Dhabi. The cardboard was initially scheduled to be headlined by a pivotal gentle heavyweight conflict between ex-champion Magomed Ankalaev and former title challenger Khalil Rountree Jr.
Nevertheless, with lower than two weeks remaining till struggle evening, the UFC Abu Dhabi most important occasion has undergone a significant shake-up. The promotion announced on Monday that Rountree Jr. has been compelled to withdraw from his scheduled bout towards Ankalaev, with No. 10-ranked gentle heavyweight Bogdan Guskov stepping in on quick discover to headline the cardboard.
Ankalaev enters UFC Abu Dhabi seeking to bounce again from the primary defeat of his championship reign. The 34-year-old Russian most just lately competed at UFC 320 in October 2025, the place Alex Pereira reclaimed the title with a devastating first-round TKO victory of their rematch.
Earlier than that setback, Ankalaev had put collectively a powerful 14-fight unbeaten run, capped by a unanimous resolution win over “Poatan” to seize the 205-pound title at UFC 313 in March 2025. “Large Ank” has compiled a promotional report of 12-2-1, with one no-contest, and has earned notable victories over Aleksandar Rakić, Johnny Walker, and Anthony Smith.
In the meantime, Guskov has been faraway from his beforehand scheduled rematch towards former 205-pound champ Jan Błachowicz, which was set to function the co-main occasion of UFC Belgrade on August 1 in Serbia. The pair have been initially slated to run it back at UFC 328 earlier than the bout was postponed after Blachowicz withdrew with a torn meniscus.
“Hitman” heads into UFC Abu Dhabi on the heels of a majority draw against Blachowicz at UFC 323 in December 2025. The 33-year-old Uzbekistani owns a 4-1-1 report contained in the Octagon, highlighted by knockout victories over Nikita Krylov, Ryan Spann, and Zac Pauga. Much more impressively, all 18 of his skilled wins have come by stoppage, together with 15 knockouts and three submissions.
UFC Abu Dhabi Full Battle Card
With the primary occasion now finalized, right here’s the up to date UFC Abu Dhabi lineup:
Fundamental Card
- Mild Heavyweight –Magomed Ankalaev vs. Bogdan Guskov
- Flyweight – Steve Erceg vs. Ramazan Temirov
- Welterweight – Islam Dulatov vs. Wellington Turman
- Light-weight – Magomed Zaynukov vs. Damian Rzepecki
- Heavyweight – Rizvan Kuniev vs. Tyrell Fortune
Preliminary Card
- Heavyweight – Valter Walker vs. Thomas Petersen
- Light-weight – Ismael Bonfim vs. Axel Sola
- Mild Heavyweight – Magomed Tuchalov vs. Brendson Ribeiro
- Light-weight – Nurullo Aliev vs. Mike Davis
- Mild Heavyweight – Uran Satybaldiev vs. Dustin Jacoby
- Welterweight – Abubakar Vagaev vs. Saygid Izagakhmaev
