Magomed Ankalaev returned to winning ways at UFC Abu Dhabi, stopping short-notice opponent Bogdan Guskov in the fifth round of a controlled but largely uneventful main event.
The former light-heavyweight champion dominated the positioning and dictated the pace at Etihad Arena. However, Ankalaev rarely took the risks needed to turn his superiority into compelling action until the final two rounds.
Ramazan Temirov provided the card’s most memorable main-card moment. He overwhelmed Steve Erceg before securing a first-round stoppage in the co-main event.
Elsewhere, Sam Patterson, Muhammad Saidov and Valter Walker delivered impressive preliminary-card finishes during an event that improved considerably after a slow start.
Fans who followed the World in Sport UFC Abu Dhabi preview knew Ankalaev faced an awkward situation. Khalil Rountree Jr withdrew from the original main event through injury, leaving Guskov to accept the contest at short notice.
Ankalaev eventually breaks down Guskov
Ankalaev entered the main event needing a convincing response after losing his light-heavyweight title to Alex Pereira.
He secured the victory, but the performance may not have immediately restored the momentum he lost with that defeat.
The opening rounds developed into a cautious striking contest. Ankalaev operated from his southpaw stance, pressed forward and found a home for occasional left hands, body kicks and low kicks.
Guskov spent much of the fight waiting for an opportunity that never arrived.
The late replacement showed little willingness to exchange combinations or test Ankalaev’s defence. Instead, he circled near the outside of the Octagon and allowed his opponent to control the distance.
Ankalaev remained patient rather than forcing the issue. He landed the cleaner shots, but neither man produced sustained action during the first three rounds. The crowd made its frustration clear as the contest drifted towards the championship rounds.
The fight changed when Ankalaev turned to his wrestling.
He secured a takedown early in the fourth round, controlled Guskov from the back and threatened with several chokes. Guskov defended the submissions, although he offered little attacking threat of his own.
Ankalaev completed another takedown in the fifth. He moved into side control, followed Guskov as he turned towards the canvas and continued landing short punches.
Referee Marc Goddard stopped the contest at 2:41 of round five when Guskov stopped intelligently defending himself. The victory gave Ankalaev the result he needed, even if the route towards it lacked urgency.
The complete UFC Abu Dhabi results confirmed Ankalaev’s victory as a TKO by strikes.
Temirov produces the night’s biggest statement
Ramazan Temirov made far more efficient use of his time inside the Octagon.
The flyweight immediately placed Steve Erceg under pressure, closing the distance and forcing the former title challenger onto the defensive.
Erceg initially managed the threat well. He stayed composed, blocked several early attacks and attempted to use his height and reach to control the range.
Temirov refused to slow down.
As the first round progressed, he began landing with greater regularity. A heavy right hand badly hurt Erceg before two further punches sent the Australian face-first towards the canvas.
The referee stopped the fight at 4:21 of the opening round.
It was a decisive victory against a respected opponent and improved Temirov’s UFC record to three wins from three appearances. Erceg, meanwhile, suffered the fifth defeat of his professional career.
Temirov’s aggression, timing and finishing instinct gave the flyweight division another dangerous contender to watch. He may still require another ranked victory before entering the title conversation, but Abu Dhabi represented a significant step forward.
Full UFC Abu Dhabi results
Islam Dulatov’s scheduled welterweight fight against Wellington Turman was cancelled shortly before the event after Dulatov became ill. The withdrawal reduced the final card to 12 contests.
The official UFC Abu Dhabi event page listed the show at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.
Patterson earns an important comeback victory
British welterweight Sam Patterson recovered from a difficult opening round to stop Santiago Ponzinibbio.
The experienced Argentinian started confidently and found his range before Patterson settled into the contest. By the end of the first round, the Englishman had begun using his size and reach more effectively.
Patterson took full control in the second.
He forced Ponzinibbio backwards with straight punches before landing a powerful right hand. Ponzinibbio fell towards the canvas, prompting the referee to intervene at 3:06.
The result returned Patterson to winning form following his decision defeat against Michael Page. It also continued his reputation as a finisher, with each of his latest five victories coming by knockout or submission.
For Ponzinibbio, the defeat raised further questions about how much longer he can remain competitive against younger welterweights. His experience remains valuable, but Patterson’s speed, size and power eventually proved decisive.
Saidov impresses on his UFC debut
Muhammad Saidov produced one of the event’s most complete performances against Dustin Jacoby.
Facing an established kickboxer in his UFC debut represented a considerable challenge. Saidov responded by controlling the range, matching Jacoby in the striking exchanges and steadily increasing the pressure.
Late in the second round, Saidov landed a head kick that visibly stunned Jacoby. He followed it with a rapid series of punches, forcing the stoppage with 11 seconds remaining in the round.
The victory extended Saidov’s professional record to 10-0 and ended Jacoby’s three-fight winning run.
Saidov will face more difficult tests as he progresses, but beating an opponent with Jacoby’s experience gave him an immediate platform in the light-heavyweight division.
Walker extends his remarkable submission run
Valter Walker needed only 92 seconds to submit Thomas Petersen with a calf slicer.
Petersen secured an early takedown, but the decision placed him directly into Walker’s most dangerous area. Walker immediately attacked the leg, moved from an initial heel-hook attempt and secured the calf slicer.
Petersen tapped quickly once Walker completed the position.
The victory gave Walker a fifth consecutive first-round submission and extended the longest active winning run in the UFC heavyweight division to five fights. His previous four wins had all come through heel hooks.
Heavyweights rarely possess Walker’s willingness to attack leg submissions. That unusual skill set makes him a difficult matchup, although stronger wrestlers may become more cautious about following him to the ground.
Zaynukov and Kuniev strengthen their positions
Magomed Zaynukov maintained his unbeaten record with a unanimous decision over Damian Rzepecki.
All three judges scored the lightweight contest 30-27. Zaynukov controlled the action across the three rounds without finding a finish, completing a composed UFC debut.
Rizvan Kuniev secured a more decisive result against Tyrell Fortune.
Kuniev stopped the former Bellator heavyweight in the third round after steadily wearing him down. The finish arrived at 1:12 and gave Kuniev another important victory as he attempts to move towards ranked opposition.
Abubakar Vagaev also began his UFC career with a win, earning three scores of 29-28 against Saygid Izagakhmaev.
What comes next for Ankalaev?
Ankalaev achieved the essential part of his assignment. He avoided a damaging upset, returned to the win column and showed he could control a dangerous finisher.
However, the manner of victory matters at the top of a crowded division.
The first three rounds lacked pace, combinations and genuine attempts to finish. Ankalaev appeared comfortable throughout, but comfort alone may not earn him an immediate championship opportunity.
His clearest route forward would involve another leading contender. A victory over an established name would carry more weight than beating an opponent who accepted the fight with limited preparation.
Guskov deserves credit for keeping the main event alive after Rountree’s withdrawal. Nevertheless, he struggled to adapt once Ankalaev took away his knockout opportunities.
The short-notice circumstances provide some mitigation, but Guskov will need to show greater urgency in his next appearance.
For more analysis, previews and results, visit the latest World in Sport UFC coverage.
Final verdict
UFC Abu Dhabi produced a mixed night at Etihad Arena.
The main event delivered a clear winner but little drama until Ankalaev moved the fight to the ground. He controlled Guskov, secured the stoppage and began rebuilding after losing his championship.
Temirov left a stronger immediate impression.
His first-round victory over Erceg combined pressure, speed and clean finishing. Patterson and Saidov also strengthened their positions with convincing stoppages, while Walker continued one of the UFC’s most unusual winning streaks.
The card did not reach the relentless pace of the recent UFC Freedom 250 event, which produced seven finishes from seven contests. However, Abu Dhabi still delivered several performances with genuine divisional significance.
Ankalaev won the headline contest.
Temirov produced the performance people will remember.
