Ankalaev and Guskov Headline UFC Fight Night as the Promotion Returns to Abu DhabiFormer light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev faces late replacement Bogdan Guskov in the main event at Etihad Arena on 25 July, with the card streaming live and exclus

Ankalaev and Guskov Headline UFC Fight Night as the Promotion Returns to Abu DhabiFormer light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev faces late replacement Bogdan Guskov in the main event at Etihad Arena on 25 July, with the card streaming live and exclusively across the MENA region on STARZPLAY.Abu Dhabi, UAE – 24 July 2026: UFC returns to Abu Dhabi on Saturday, 25 July, with another blockbuster night of mixed martial arts at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, headlined by a light heavyweight clash between former UFC champion Magomed Ankalaev and hard-hitting contender Bogdan Guskov.Fans across the Middle East and North Africa will be able to watch UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs Guskov live and exclusively on the STARZPLAY app, the exclusive home of UFC in the region.Scheduled for five rounds, the headline bout pits two fighters with plenty at stake in one of the UFC's most competitive divisions. Ankalaev returns to Abu Dhabi looking to reinforce his status among the elite contenders at light heavyweight, while Guskov faces the biggest test of his UFC career as he attempts to secure a career-defining victory over one of the division's leading names.Guskov steps into the main event as a replacement for Khalil Rountree Jr., who had originally been scheduled to face Ankalaev before withdrawing from the event through injury.The co-featured contests include an intriguing flyweight matchup between Australia's Steve Erceg and Uzbekistan's Ramazan Temirov, with Erceg aiming to use his experience and technical ability against Temirov's aggressive style in a bout that could prove significant for both fighters' futures in the division.The confirmed main card also features a welterweight contest between Islam Dulatov and Wellington Turman, an unbeaten lightweight meeting between Magomed Zaynukov and Damian Piebitski, and a heavyweight clash between Rizvan Kuniev and Tyrell Fortune.Elsewhere on the card, Brazil's Valter Walker takes on American Thomas Petersen at heavyweight, Dustin Jacoby meets Uran Satybaldiev at light heavyweight, Sam Patterson faces Santiago Ponzinibbio at welterweight, while Ismael Bonfim squares off against Axel Sola in the lightweight division.The latest UFC event further underlines Abu Dhabi's standing as one of the world's premier destinations for combat sports and major international sporting events. Over recent years, the UAE capital has hosted some of the organisation's biggest events, welcoming elite athletes and fans from around the world while strengthening its reputation for staging world-class competitions.Etihad Arena and Yas Island once again provide the backdrop for another showcase of elite mixed martial arts, bringing together established stars, rising prospects and the unique atmosphere that has become synonymous with UFC events in Abu Dhabi.Through STARZPLAY, mixed martial arts fans across the region can follow every moment of the action, from the opening preliminary bouts to the final bell. Whether watching Ankalaev pursue another statement victory, Guskov attempt to produce a major upset, or the next generation of UFC talent emerge elsewhere on the card, viewers will be able to stream the full event across smart devices.The preliminary card is scheduled to begin at 5:00pm UAE time, followed by the main card at 8:00pm UAE time. Broadcast times remain subject to change.End -