Magomed Ankalaev Eyes Fresh Start Against Bogdan Guskov in Abu Dhabi
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev says he is ready to return with a clearer mindset after a difficult stretch following his title loss.
The No. 2-ranked contender meets Bogdan Guskov in the main event of UFC Fight Night on July 25 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Ankalaev (21-2-1) last competed in October 2025, when he dropped the light heavyweight belt to Alex Pereira via first-round TKO at UFC 320.
Ankalaev addressed the long layoff and his current outlook in a recent interview with Red Corner MMA.
“It’s been a long time… I wanted to come back,” he said.
He pointed to physical setbacks that delayed his return.
“I had some issues… injuries… It’s been hard to return,” Ankalaev explained.
The setback against Pereira clearly lingered. Everyone in the division knows the details of that night in Las Vegas, and Ankalaev did not sugarcoat how it affected him.
“Everyone knows that the last fight was a frustrating loss,” he said. “It’s fair to say I was devastated.”
Yet the Russian contender insists the time away has sharpened his focus.
“But I am back. Fresh thoughts, cool head, if you will,” Ankalaev stated. “Now everything is going to be completely different.”
Guskov (18-3-1), ranked No. 9 at light heavyweight, stepped in on short notice after Khalil Rountree Jr. withdrew due to injury. The matchup gives Ankalaev a chance to rebuild momentum in a familiar environment. Abu Dhabi has hosted several of his previous UFC appearances, and a strong performance would keep him firmly in the title conversation behind current champion Alex Pereira.
Ankalaev’s comments arrive as the light heavyweight division continues to reshuffle. Pereira reclaimed the belt in dominant fashion last October. Contenders further down the rankings are jockeying for position, making Ankalaev’s return a key test of whether the former champion can reassert himself among the elite.
The July 25 main event offers Ankalaev an immediate opportunity to put the past behind him. With a new opponent and what he describes as a renewed mental approach, the former titleholder aims to show that the long wait has left him better prepared for the challenges ahead.
