Magomed Ankalaev has a new dance partner for UFC Abu Dhabi, as he is now set to face Bogdan Guskov in the July 25 main event at Etihad Arena.
Guskov steps in on short notice to replace Khalil Rountree, whose withdrawal reason was not disclosed. The matchup pits the No. 3-ranked Ankalaev against the No. 12-ranked Guskov in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings.
Guskov’s change of plans means his rematch with Jan Blachowicz, previously scheduled for UFC Belgrade on Aug. 1, is off the books again. The Blachowicz vs. Guskov rematch was already postponed once from UFC 328 due to a Blachowicz injury, after the pair initially fought to a majority draw at UFC 323.
Ankalaev heads into Abu Dhabi after losing the UFC light heavyweight title back to Alex Pereira at UFC 320 in October, which marked his first defeat since his UFC debut in March 2018. Ankalaev had previously ended Alex Pereira’s reign as 205-pound champion before Pereira won their immediate rematch.
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