The five-round light heavyweight clash was put together on short notice. Ankalaev was originally scheduled to headline the event against Khalil Rountree Jr.. However, Rountree was forced to withdraw due to a training injury.Stepping up on less than two weeks’ notice, No. 10-ranked Uzbek contender Bogdan Guskov accepted the fight. Guskov was previously scheduled to rematch Jan Blachowicz on August 1 but shifted his timeline forward to capitalize on his first career UFC main event opportunity.
The Elite Gatekeeper vs. The Finisher: Magomed Ankalaev is an incredibly well-rounded former title challenger who relies on tactical distance management, high-level wrestling, and precise counter-striking. He is looking to rebound from a championship defeat against Alex Pereira in late 2025.
Guskov’s Kill-or-be-Killed Approach: Known as a devastating knockout artist, Bogdan Guskov boasts a 100% finishing rate in his professional victories, with 13 of his 18 career wins coming in the very first round. He entered the top 10 after going on an unbeaten streak, including a hard-fought draw against former champion Jan Blachowicz.
The Stakes: For Ankalaev, a victory in Abu Dhabi-where he will enjoy strong crowd backing-solidifies his place at the front of the line for another title shot. For Guskov, taking the fight on short notice presents a high-reward scenario that could instantly catapult him into top-5 title contention.
Steve “Astroboy” Erceg (14-4-0): The #10 ranked Australian flyweight is known for his crisp, high-volume boxing and black-belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills. After a narrow title loss to Alexandre Pantoja sparked a rough patch, Erceg has completely rebounded, riding back-to-back unanimous decision victories over Ode’ Osbourne and Tim Elliott.
Ramazan “Temurlan” Temirov (19-2-0): Representing Uzbekistan, Temirov is a devastating striker currently riding a dominant 11-fight winning streak. Known for his one-punch knockout power and hyper-aggressive style, this fight marks his toughest career test as he aims to break directly into the UFC flyweight top.
Fighter
Bovada Odds
Full Fights
Steve Erceg
-103
Ramazan Temirov
-117
Rizvan Kuniev vs Tyrell Fortune
Rizvan Kuniev (Russia): Currently ranked No. 8, the Dagestani fighter holds a professional record of 13-3-1 (1 NC). Fighting out of Gorets Fight Club, Kuniev relies heavily on his background in Wushu Sanda. He is coming off a dominant unanimous decision win against Jailton Almeida in February 2026.
Tyrell Fortune (USA): Ranked No. 11, the former Bellator standout holds an 18-3-0 (2 NC) pro record. Training with Arizona Combat Sports, Fortune relies on his elite wrestling pedigree. He successfully debuted in the UFC with a unanimous decision victory over veteran Marcin Tybura in March 2026.
Fighter
Bovada Odds
Full Fights
Rizvan Kuniev
-320
Tyrell Fortune
+260
Islam Dulatov vs Wellington Turman
Islam Dulatov: Standing an imposing 6’3″ for the welterweight class, the former Versace model has become a highly discussed prospect. Following a debut loss in 2019, he has finished 12 straight opponents. Dulatov secured his contract with a vicious first-round knockout on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2024, followed by a devastating KO of Adam Fugitt in his formal UFC debut. He returns to the Octagon after a one-year layoff due to injuries.
Wellington Turman: Representing Brazil and training out of Teixeira MMA, Turman is a seasoned veteran with significant promotional experience. However, he is fighting to keep his spot on the roster. He enters the contest on a three-fight losing skid, most recently dropping a submission bout against Jared Gooden. Turman will look to leverage his experience against high-level opposition to halt Dulatov’s momentum.
Fighter
Bovada Odds
Full Fights
Islam Dulatov
-1000
Wellington Turman
+650
Magomed Zaynukov vs Damian Rzepecki
Magomed Zaynukov (8-0-0): Fighting out of Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia, Zaynukov trains out of the renowned Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov School alongside UFC champion Islam Makhachev. He is an accomplished Muay Thai striker who earned his UFC contract via a dominant unanimous decision on Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) in October 2025, where he landed a staggering 248 significant strikes. Five of his eight career wins have come by way of KO/TKO.
Damian Rzepecki (10-0-0): Fighting out of Poland, the 24-year-old is a former FEN lightweight champion. Rzepecki is a rare prospect who signed straight to the UFC without going through the Contender Series, largely due to a fierce reputation for stopping opponents. Nine of his 10 professional victories have come by way of stoppage (five submissions and four knockouts). He last competed in April 2026, earning a unanimous decision victory at a Way of the Warrior (WOW) event in Spain.
Fighter
Bovada Odds
Full Fights
Magomed Zaynukov
-300
Damian Rzepecki
+250
Ismael Bonfim vs Axel Sola
Ismael “Marreta” Bonfim (20-6-0): The 30-year-old Brazilian powerhouse initially generated massive hype following a stellar flying-knee knockout against Terrance McKinney in his promotional debut. However, Bonfim has since hit a rough patch, dropping his last two fights against Nazim Sadykhov and Chris Padilla. With his back against the wall, this fight is crucial for him to snap his losing streak and protect his standing in the promotion.
Axel Sola (11-1-1): The 28-year-old French prospect out of the Boxing Squad gym made waves early in his career and has gone 1-1 since joining the UFC organization. Known for a sharp technical skill set, Sola is also looking to rebound after a recent close decision loss in March 2026.
Fighter
Bovada Odds
Full Fights
Ismael Bonfim
+168
Axel Sola
-198
Valter Walker vs Thomas Petersen
Valter “The Foot Hunter” Walker (15-1): The 28-year-old Brazilian powerhouse has carved a name for himself in the UFC heavyweight division as a lethal submission threat. Walker has tied the UFC record for the most heel hook submissions in promotional history. Though widely known for targeting legs, Walker has recently teased a change of pace for this fight, stating a desire to stand up and trade strikes.
Thomas “The Train” Petersen (11-4): The 31-year-old American features a robust foundational wrestling background. Fighting out of Minnesota, Petersen uses double-legs and tight body locks to control his opponents on the canvas, wearing them down with heavy ground-and-pound. He enters this bout following a hard-fought majority decision victory over Guilherme Pat.
Fighter
Bovada Odds
Full Fights
Valter Walker
-177
Thomas Petersen
+153
Uran Satybaldiev vs Dustin Jacoby
Uran Satybaldiev: The 31-year-old Krygyzstani fighter brings an imposing physical presence to the Octagon, utilizing a notable 3-inch reach advantage and raw power to pressure opponents. He is currently looking to bounce back from an April 2025 defeat against Martin Buday and re-establish his standing in the division.
Dustin Jacoby: Veteran striker Dustin Jacoby enters the cage on a dominant three-fight winning streak, having secured three consecutive stoppage victories over Vitor Petrino, Bruno Lopes, and Julius Walker. Known for his crisp, elite-level kickboxing pedigree, Jacoby lands an impressive 5.40 significant strikes per minute.
Fighter
Bovada Odds
Full Fights
Muhammad Said
+145
Dustin Jacoby
-170
Magomed Tuchalov vs Brendson Ribeiro
Magomed Tuchalov: Entering his promotional debut after officially signing with the UFC, Tuchalov is the former UAE Warriors Light Heavyweight Champion. Standing at a towering 6’5″, the undefeated prospect boasts heavy hands, recently securing consecutive first- and second-round stoppage victories earlier this year under the UAE Warriors banner.
Brendson Ribeiro: A product of Dana White’s Contender Series and Shooto Brasil, the Brazilian is a highly chaotic and forward-pressing fighter. Known for a “kill or be killed” mentality inside the Octagon, Ribeiro holds significant structural advantages in reach (81 inches) and possesses the experience edge against elite global competition.
Fighter
Bovada Odds
Full Fights
Magomed Tuchalov
-900
Brendson Ribeiro
+600
Nurullo Aliev vs Mike Davis
Nurullo Aliev: Nicknamed the “Tajik Eagle,” Nurullo Aliev enters the Octagon with a perfect 11-0 professional record (3-0 in the UFC). Known for his relentless chain wrestling and dominant top control, the 25-year-old Tajik star will be looking to protect his undefeated streak and transition from highly touted prospect to true division contender.
Mike Davis: Facing him is the battle-tested American Mike “Beast Boy” Davis, who boasts a 12-3 overall record (5-2 UFC). Training out of Fusion X-Cel, Davis is highly regarded for his explosive striking power, durable chin, and sharp takedown defense, making him the ultimate litmus test for Aliev’s grappling pedigree.
Fighter
Bovada Odds
Full Fights
Nurullo Aliev
-225
Mike Davis
+185
Cody Gibson vs Abdul Hussein
Abdul Hussein enters his debut riding significant momentum, highlighted by a dominant first-round knockout over former UFC veteran Tyson Nam in late 2025. Hussein is known for an explosive, versatile kickboxing approach heavily paired with lethal submission grappling, boasting 9 career submission victories.
Cody Gibson provides a massive step up in cage experience and durability. Looking to bounce back from a tough first-round TKO loss to Aori Qileng in October 2025, “The Renegade” relies on high-output pressure, durable chin mechanics, and a grinding wrestling background to drag opponents into deep waters.
Fighter
Bovada Odds
Full Fights
Abdul Hussein
-510
Cody Gibson
+385
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs Sam Patterson
Santiago Ponzinibbio: Santiago Ponzinibbio is returning from a 14-month layoff following a TKO loss to Daniel Rodriguez. The former top contender has struggled to replicate the seven-fight win streak he enjoyed from 2015 to 2018 due to severe health complications and injuries, going 3-6 in his last nine performances. He relies on high-volume punching power and high-level training at American Top Team.
Sam Patterson: Patterson holds a distinct physical advantage with a 3-inch height and a massive 5-inch reach superiority. Stylistically, the bout offers extreme finishing potential; Ponzinibbio is an aggressive striker who unloads 4.78 significant strikes per minute, whereas Patterson is dangerous on the floor, averaging 1.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
