Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
Magomed Ankalaev is convinced that Saturday night's UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi marks the start of his journey back to championship gold, while his rival Bogdan Guskov insists he has no intention of letting the biggest opportunity of his career slip away after being handed a late call-up for the main event.
The pair headline the card at Etihad Arena after Uzbekistan's Guskov stepped in as a replacement for Khalil Rountree Jr, who withdrew from the bout after a training injury. It presents a high-risk assignment for the rising contender but also the chance to announce himself on one of the UFC's biggest international stages against one of the sport's elite light heavyweights.
For Ankalaev, the identity of his opponent mattered little. After an extended lay-off following his loss to Alex Pereira, the Russian insisted his focus is on the job at hand first before seeking the rematch in the higher division against Pereira.
"It's a long time coming," Ankalaev said during Wednesday's media day. "I had a long pause between my last fight, so it was important for me to make sure to fight and whoever they're going to put in front of me did not matter."
The contest carries significant implications for the 205-pound division. Ankalaev believes another victory will immediately restore his status as the leading challenger for the title after a rivalry with Pereira that remains unfinished in his eyes.
The Russian dethroned the Brazilian to become champion before losing the rematch by knockout in 28 seconds earlier this year. Ankalaev has consistently maintained that the stoppage was an "accident" rather than a fair reflection of the rivalry.
Speaking in Abu Dhabi, he made it clear that while his immediate focus is on Guskov, the prospect of facing Pereira again remains firmly on his radar – even if it means moving up to heavyweight in the future.
"My goal right now is to come back to the winning column to make sure to establish myself as the leader in this division," Ankalaev said.
Asked about a recent remark by Pereira questioning whether he was "still alive", the mild-mannered Dagestan native responded in kind to the jibe.
"He must have been sleeping for a long time, because I believe that he was put to sleep pretty hard, so he must have just woken up and forgotten that I'm alive still," he said
But victory over Guskov first, he believes, should leave little doubt over who deserves the next opportunity. Despite his confidence, Ankalaev dismissed suggestions that his composed demeanour outside the cage reflects a lack of aggression.
"I'm a professional fighter. I'd like to keep my emotions inside and if there's no crossing of a specific line, then I come out here as a professional. But if somebody crosses that line, then I'm sure that I can show my character as well."
Guskov arrived at the venue on Wednesday wearing sunglasses in a dark room. His eyes could not verify, but Guskov insisted his hands will do the talking despite the tough challenge put up in front of him at short notice. For him, headlining a UFC event as the first Uzbek fighter is proof that determination can overcome circumstance.
"For somebody who comes from a tiny little small town … I was born in a town with only 2,000 people there, but then I was able to pave my way and now I'm the first expected to fight in the main event.
"So what that means is that you should never make an excuse of saying where I come from or where they come from; that I'm too small for this, they have better opportunities. No, you just have to work hard, you have to do your thing and just follow your own.
"I hope that I serve as an inspiration to younger generations and that they can look at me as an example and they can say that if he was able to do it, then I'm able to do it as well. So to me, it's a huge honour to represent Uzbekistan on such a huge stage."
While the spotlight falls on the headline bout, Abu Dhabi fans will also be keeping a close eye on Magomed Tuchalov, whose UFC debut marks another milestone for the UAE's growing mixed martial arts scene.
The Russian prospect earned his stripes at the UAE Warriors. On Wednesday, he hinted about making the UAE as his home, too. He takes on Brendson Ribero on the preliminary card and a win would certainly help his cause.
Main Card:
Magomed Ankalaev vs Bogdan Guskov
Steve Erceg vs Ramazan Temirov
Islam Dulatov vs Wellington Turman
Magomed Zaynukov vs Damian Rzepecki
Rizvan Kuniev vs Tyrell Fortune
Abubakar Vagaev vs Saygid Izagakhmaev
Preliminary Card:
Valter Walker vs Thomas Petersen
Dustin Jacoby vs Muhammad Said
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs Sam Patterson
Ismael Bonfim vs Axel Sola
Magomed Tuchalov vs Brendson Ribeiro
Nurullo Aliev vs Mike Davis
Cody Gibson vs Abdul Hussein
