Magomed Ankalaev dominates Bogdan Guskov in bounce-back win

In his first look since shedding the UFC’s gentle heavyweight championship in October, Magomed Ankalaev regarded as dominant as ever Saturday — and can now wait to see if it is sufficient for a title shot.

Ankalaev (22-2-1) utterly outclassed Bogdan Guskov (18-4-1) in a fifth-round stoppage in the principle occasion of UFC Combat Night time at Etihad Enviornment in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The end got here at 2:41 of the ultimate spherical, when Guskov mainly surrendered and lined up from strikes on the bottom. It was a much-needed consequence for Ankalaev, who’s in search of not solely a shot to reclaim his belt however an eventual third struggle towards former champion Alex Pereira, who knocked him out in October.

“I used to be out for a very long time, [but] now I am again and I’ll begin my hunt for the factor I misplaced,” Ankalaev mentioned by an interpreter.

The 205-pound contest was by no means aggressive, and it in all probability would have ended sooner had Guskov been keen to have interaction. The Uzbekistani took the bout on quick discover, after Ankalaev’s unique opponent, Khalil Rountree Jr., withdrew because of harm. Guskov accepted the problem, however he did not seem to do a lot of something with the chance.

He continuously circled away from Ankalaev, stopping any actual placing exchanges. When Ankalaev determined to wrestle within the fourth and fifth rounds, he supplied little or no resistance in both defending takedowns or working again to his toes. At one level, his personal nook pleaded with him not to surrender. He was out-struck 122-42, in response to UFC Analysis.

“He wasn’t participating within the placing,” Ankalaev acknowledged. “I used to be looking for him however he saved getting away. I’ve mentioned this earlier than, when a striker comes out towards me in a struggle, I’ve to go hunt and discover them.”

Ankalaev, 34, probably may have cruised to a five-round determination, had he not modified ways within the fourth and fifth to take Guskov right down to primarily maintain him from operating. Ankalaev mentioned in interviews he would take an “indignant” strategy into the bout, after sitting with the frustration of his loss to Pereira for 9 months. Ankalaev turned UFC champion with a call over Pereira in March 2025, earlier than shedding an instantaneous rematch. Pereira has since moved as much as heavyweight, and Ankalaev has mentioned he’s keen to comply with him there with a view to full a trilogy.

Ankalaev was already the UFC’s No. 1-ranked gentle heavyweight contender going into Saturday. Present champion Carlos Ulberg is out indefinitely with a knee harm.