MSB Fight Club: Ankalaev Survives Early Storm, Finishes Guskov Late in Action-Packed UFC Abu Dhabi
UFC Abu Dhabi delivered an entertaining night of fights Saturday at Etihad Arena, featuring nine finishes, several breakout performances, and a main event that started slowly before ending emphatically. While champion Magomed Ankalaev successfully defended his place atop the light heavyweight division with a fifth-round TKO of Bogdan Guskov, the card belonged just as much to rising prospects who announced themselves to the MMA world.
Main Event
Magomed Ankalaev def. Bogdan Guskov via TKO (Round 5)
For nearly four rounds, Guskov made Ankalaev work.
Known for his knockout power, Guskov came out aggressively, throwing heavy hooks and looking to pressure the champion against the fence. Ankalaev remained patient, using his jab, kicks to the legs and body, and timely takedowns to frustrate the challenger rather than engaging in a wild firefight.
The biggest difference was cardio.
By the championship rounds, Guskov’s output dropped dramatically while Ankalaev looked as fresh as he did in the opening minutes. Ankalaev increased the pressure, mixed striking with clinch work, and repeatedly forced Guskov to defend takedowns.
Midway through Round 5, Ankalaev finally broke through with a clean combination that stunned Guskov before dragging him to the canvas. A relentless barrage of elbows and punches forced referee intervention, giving Ankalaev the late TKO victory.
Fight Analysis
Although fans were hoping for an early firefight, Ankalaev once again showed why he is so difficult to beat.
- Outstanding distance management.
- Excellent defensive wrestling.
- Superior conditioning.
- Never allowed Guskov’s power to dictate the pace.
It was another reminder that Ankalaev wins with discipline rather than chaos.
What’s Next?
The victory likely keeps Ankalaev at the front of the light heavyweight title picture, although some analysts believe another high-profile contender bout could still be next because the performance, while dominant, lacked the explosiveness fans often expect from a champion.
Co-Main Event
Ramazan Temirov def. Steve Erceg via First-Round TKO
This may have been the performance of the night.
Temirov exploded from the opening bell, immediately forcing Erceg backward with blistering combinations. Less than five minutes later, the fight was over.
A devastating flurry trapped Erceg against the cage, forcing the referee to wave it off before Erceg could recover.
The win extends Temirov’s remarkable streak and immediately launches him into the flyweight contender conversation. Many observers now expect him to face a Top-5 opponent next.
Fight of the Night
Rizvan Kuniev def. Tyrell Fortune
This heavyweight battle turned into one of the card’s best fights.
Fortune started well with movement and combinations, but Kuniev steadily took over with relentless pressure, powerful clinch work, and increasingly effective striking.
Late in Round 3, Kuniev overwhelmed Fortune with punches to secure the stoppage.
The UFC rewarded both fighters with Fight of the Night honors.
Submission of the Night
Valter Walker def. Thomas Petersen
Calf Slicer Submission
One of the rarest submissions in MMA made another appearance.
Walker locked in a perfectly executed calf slicer early in Round 1, forcing Petersen to tap almost immediately.
It marked Walker’s fifth consecutive first-round submission victory, cementing his reputation as one of the heavyweight division’s most dangerous grapplers. Walker also earned a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
Other Main Card Results
Magomed Zaynukov def. Damian Rzepecki
A complete striking clinic.
Zaynukov won every round with superior boxing, movement, and cage control while never allowing Rzepecki to establish any offense.
Abubakar Vagaev def. Saygid Izagakhmaev
A highly technical grappling contest featuring constant scrambles and positional battles. Vagaev controlled the pace to earn a unanimous decision.
Preliminary Card Highlights
Muhammad Said
Scored one of the night’s biggest knockouts, stopping veteran Dustin Jacoby and putting the light heavyweight division on notice.
Axel Sola
Needed only one round to submit Gabriel Bonfim in a major upset that immediately elevated his profile.
Abdul Hussein
Weathered early adversity before locking up a third-round submission over Cody Gibson, earning one of the night’s additional performance bonuses.
Biggest Winners
Magomed Ankalaev — Another successful headliner that showcased his championship-level fight IQ.
Ramazan Temirov — Became one of the fastest-rising contenders in the flyweight division with a spectacular first-round finish.
Valter Walker — Continued building a reputation as arguably the UFC’s most entertaining heavyweight submission specialist.
Rizvan Kuniev — Earned Fight of the Night honors and proved he belongs among the heavyweight division’s rising contenders.
Biggest Losers
Steve Erceg now faces a difficult climb back toward title contention after another damaging loss.
Bogdan Guskov showed toughness and dangerous power but could not keep pace with Ankalaev over five rounds, fading badly late in the fight.
MSB Fight Club Take
This card exceeded expectations.
While the main event lacked nonstop action early, the undercard more than made up for it. The UFC showcased several future contenders, multiple highlight-reel finishes, and one of the year’s best submission victories. Temirov may have delivered the breakout performance of the evening, while Walker continued to become a fan favorite with his unique submission game.
As for Ankalaev, he once again demonstrated why beating him requires far more than knockout power. His patience, conditioning, and technical precision remain among the best in mixed martial arts, and he left Abu Dhabi with another statement victory—even if fans will continue debating whether his style is exciting enough.
MSB Fight Club Grade: A-. The event featured high-level championship strategy, memorable finishes, and several fighters who significantly changed the landscape of their divisions.
