Magomed Ankalaev returns to winning form at UFC Abu Dhabi
Magomed Ankalaev needed a convincing performance in Abu Dhabi, even if the route there was not especially dramatic. The former light heavyweight champion defeated short-notice replacement Bogdan Guskov by fifth-round TKO in the main event of UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov.
Ankalaev spent much of the contest patiently chasing Guskov, using side kicks and straight punches to control the distance. Guskov offered little offense of his own, but remained difficult enough to pin down that the fight developed into a slow pursuit rather than a firefight.
The approach changed in rounds four and five. Ankalaev turned to his wrestling, kept Guskov underneath him and steadily added ground strikes. Referee Marc Goddard finally stopped Ankalaev vs. Guskov at 2:41 of the final round after Guskov stopped defending intelligently.
💢 Así fue como Ankalaev consigue terminar la pelea vs un Guskov que no se mostró en toda la pelea 💢#UFCAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi | Abu Dhabi Calendar | Visit Abu Dhabi pic.twitter.com/mEOvLNlmwb
— UFC Español (@UFCEspanol) July 25, 2026
Ramazan Temirov demolishes Steve Erceg in the first round
The co-main event brought the sudden violence missing from the headliner. Ramazan Temirov overwhelmed Steve Erceg and knocked him out at 4:21 of the opening round. The result in Temirov vs. Erceg should move the former RIZIN fighter directly into the UFC flyweight rankings.
Temirov also collected a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus. It was the biggest victory of his career and another damaging setback for Erceg, who could not slow the Uzbek contender’s explosive entries.
Magomed Zaynukov wins his UFC debut
Magomed Zaynukov made a successful promotional debut by comfortably outstriking Damian Rzepecki. All three judges scored Zaynukov vs. Rzepecki 30-27, reflecting a controlled performance in which “Chanco” consistently found his target without giving the Polish lightweight many openings.
'Chanco' piecing up Rzepecki 💥
— Full Mount MMA (@MMAFullMount) July 25, 2026
Successful UFC debut for Zaynukov😳 pic.twitter.com/jClC3Nxgo1
Rizvan Kuniev added another main-card finish by stopping Tyrell Fortune with knees in round three of Kuniev vs. Fortune. Abubakar Vagaev completed the main card with a unanimous decision over Saygid Izagakhmaev in Vagaev vs. Izagakhmaev.
Valter Walker extends his unusual leg-lock streak
Valter Walker promised another submission and delivered one almost immediately. The Brazilian heavyweight trapped Thomas Petersen in a calf slicer at 1:32 of round one, earning his fifth straight victory by leg submission.
MASTER CLASS‼️
— UFC Español (@UFCEspanol) July 25, 2026
Valter Walker lo prometió y lo cumplió. Somete con una llave de tobillo ⚠️#UFCAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabi | Abu Dhabi Calendar | Visit Abu Dhabi pic.twitter.com/N7VaXOZxQV
The win in Walker vs. Petersen also earned Walker the evening’s other $100,000 performance bonus and strengthened his reputation as heavyweight MMA’s most committed leg hunter.
UFC Abu Dhabi full results
Main Card
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Bogdan Guskov: Ankalaev won by TKO, Round 5, 2:41
Ramazan Temirov vs. Steve Erceg: Temirov won by knockout, Round 1, 4:21
Magomed Zaynukov vs. Damian Rzepecki: Zaynukov won by unanimous decision, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27
Rizvan Kuniev vs. Tyrell Fortune: Kuniev won by TKO, Round 3, 1:12
Abubakar Vagaev vs. Saygid Izagakhmaev: Vagaev won by unanimous decision, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28
Preliminary Card
Valter Walker vs. Thomas Petersen: Walker won by calf slicer, Round 1, 1:32
Muhammad Saidov vs. Dustin Jacoby: Saidov won by TKO following a head kick and punches, Round 2, 4:49
Sam Patterson vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio: Patterson won by TKO, Round 2, 3:06
Axel Sola vs. Ismael Bonfim: Sola won by D’Arce choke, Round 1, 4:44
Magomed Tuchalov vs. Brendson Ribeiro: Tuchalov won by unanimous decision, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28
Nurullo Aliev vs. Mike Davis: Aliev won by unanimous decision, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27
Abdul Hussein vs. Cody Gibson: Hussein won by arm-triangle choke, Round 1, 3:07
UFC Abu Dhabi Results FAQ
Who won Magomed Ankalaev vs Bogdan Guskov?
Magomed Ankalaev defeated Bogdan Guskov by fifth-round TKO after controlling the championship rounds with wrestling and ground strikes.
How did Ramazan Temirov beat Steve Erceg?
Temirov knocked Erceg out with punches late in the first round of their flyweight co-main event.
Who received UFC Abu Dhabi performance bonuses?
Ramazan Temirov and Valter Walker each received a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
How did Valter Walker submit Thomas Petersen?
Walker won with a first-round calf slicer, extending his run to five consecutive victories by leg submission.
Did Magomed Zaynukov win his UFC debut?
Yes. Zaynukov defeated Damian Rzepecki by unanimous decision, winning every round on all three scorecards.
Who won Sam Patterson vs Santiago Ponzinibbio?
Sam Patterson vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio ended with Patterson earning a second-round TKO.
What was the final result of UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs Guskov?
The event ended with Ankalaev stopping Guskov at 2:41 of the fifth round in Abu Dhabi.
