Magomed Ankalaev fights Bogdan Guskov in new UFC Abu Dhabi main event with Khalil Rountree out

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 04: Magomed Ankalaev of Russia enters the Octagon in the UFC light heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 320 event at T-Mobile Arena on October 04, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) Magomed Ankalaev has a new opponent for his UFC Abu Dha

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What is the story about?

Magomed Ankalaev has a new opponent for his UFC Abu Dhabi headlining bout.

The UFC announced Monday that Ankalaev (20-2-1, 1 NC) is now set to fight Bogdan Guskov (18-3-1), who steps in for Khalil Rountree in the July 25 main event, which takes place at Etihad Arena. The reason for Rountree’s withdrawal was not disclosed.

Guskov was previously scheduled to rematch Jan Blachowicz at UFC Belgrade on Aug. 1, but that fight appears to be off the schedule once again after previously being postponed from

UFC 328 due to a Blachowicz injury. It is not yet known if Blachowicz will remain on the UFC Belgrade card with a new opponent or be booked for another event.

Ankalaev is currently No. 3 in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings after dropping the UFC light heavyweight title back to Alex Pereira at UFC 320 this past October. It was Ankalaev who ended Pereira’s reign as 205-pound champion, but “Poatan” gained his revenge in their immediate rematch. It was Ankalaev’s first loss since his UFC debut in March 2018.

The new UFC Abu Dhabi headliner gives Guskov (No. 12) a chance to jump into the top 5 of the rankings with a win. After fighting Blachowicz to a majority draw at UFC 323, the two have twice been booked to settle the score, but for now both men move on to fresh matchups.