UFC Abu Dhabi Rocked By Injury As Main Event Undergoes Massive Overhaul Ahead Of July 25 Showdown
UFC Abu Dhabi will move forward with a new main event.
The UFC is set to make its annual return to the United Arab Emirates with an event on July 25 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The card was originally scheduled to be headlined by a pivotal light heavyweight clash between ex-champion Magomed Ankalaev and former title challenger Khalil Rountree Jr.
However, with less than two weeks remaining until fight night, the UFC Abu Dhabi main event has undergone a major shake-up. The promotion announced on Monday that Rountree Jr. has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled bout against Ankalaev, with No. 10-ranked light heavyweight Bogdan Guskov stepping in on short notice to headline the card.
Ankalaev enters UFC Abu Dhabi looking to bounce back from the first defeat of his championship reign. The 34-year-old Russian most recently competed at UFC 320 in October 2025, where Alex Pereira reclaimed the title with a devastating first-round TKO victory in their rematch.
Before that setback, Ankalaev had put together an impressive 14-fight unbeaten run, capped by a unanimous decision win over “Poatan” to capture the 205-pound title at UFC 313 in March 2025. “Big Ank” has compiled a promotional record of 12-2-1, with one no-contest, and has earned notable victories over Aleksandar Rakić, Johnny Walker, and Anthony Smith.
Meanwhile, Guskov has been removed from his previously scheduled rematch against former 205-pound champ Jan Błachowicz, which was set to serve as the co-main event of UFC Belgrade on August 1 in Serbia. The pair were originally slated to run it back at UFC 328 before 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 record inside the Octagon, highlighted by knockout victories over Nikita Krylov, Ryan Spann, and Zac Pauga. Even more impressively, all 18 of his professional wins have come by stoppage, including 15 knockouts and three submissions.
UFC Abu Dhabi Complete Fight Card
With the main event now finalized, here’s the updated UFC Abu Dhabi lineup:
Main Card
- Light Heavyweight –Magomed Ankalaev vs. Bogdan Guskov
- Flyweight – Steve Erceg vs. Ramazan Temirov
- Welterweight – Islam Dulatov vs. Wellington Turman
- Lightweight – Magomed Zaynukov vs. Damian Rzepecki
- Heavyweight – Rizvan Kuniev vs. Tyrell Fortune
Preliminary Card
- Heavyweight – Valter Walker vs. Thomas Petersen
- Lightweight – Ismael Bonfim vs. Axel Sola
- Light Heavyweight – Magomed Tuchalov vs. Brendson Ribeiro
- Lightweight – Nurullo Aliev vs. Mike Davis
- Light Heavyweight – Uran Satybaldiev vs. Dustin Jacoby
- Welterweight – Abubakar Vagaev vs. Saygid Izagakhmaev
