Overview
- The five‑round main event between former light‑heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev and late replacement Bogdan Guskov is set for Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi and will stream on Paramount+ with prelims at 9 a.m. ET and the main card at 12 p.m. ET.
- Guskov accepted the fight on under two weeks’ notice after Khalil Rountree Jr. withdrew with an injury, a move that canceled Guskov’s scheduled rematch with Jan Blachowicz.
- Both headliners successfully made the light‑heavyweight limit at official weigh‑ins on July 24, finalizing the card without any weigh‑in issues.
- A win would likely push Guskov rapidly into title conversation while Ankalaev frames the fight as a comeback step toward regaining contention and has signalled interest in a future trilogy with Alex Pereira at heavyweight.
- The division’s title picture is unsettled because champion Carlos Ulberg is sidelined by a knee injury and UFC management, including Dana White, has indicated an interim belt is likely, which raises the immediate stakes for top contenders at events like this one.