Former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev expressed that he is more than ready following a late opponent switch ahead of UFC Fight Night this weekend, as he prepares to take on Bodgan Guskov at the Etihad Arena on Saturday.
Main card set to commence at 6pm (CAT,GMT+2).
Ankalaev (21-2-1) was originally scheduled to face Khalil Rountree this weekend, but the latter was forced to withdraw owing to injury as Guskov (18-3-1) stepped in as a replacement for the Main event.
As it stands, Ankalaev sits in No 2 position in the UFC Light Heavyweight rankings, with Guskov coming in at ninth place.
The 34-year-old Russian last fought at UFC320 in October 2025, where he lost the UFC Light Heavyweight title to Alex Pereira following a first-round knockout in Las Vegas.
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Prior to his recent loss, Ankalaev noted impressive wins over high level opponents such as Thiago Santos, Anthony Smith and Johnny Walker before claiming the division’s belt against Poatan in a Unanimous decision victory at UFC 313 in March 2025.
Guskov, 33, is unbeaten in his last five UFC bouts, with his latest showing being a Majority draw against Jan Blachowicz at UFC 323 in December last year.
The Uzbekistan fighter also claimed finishes in four consecutive fights before facing Blachowicz, noting knockout wins against Zac Pauga, Ryan Spann and Nikita Krylov, including a submission victory over Billy Elekana.
Reflecting on the upcoming bout, Ankalaev expressed that a late opponent change won't hinder his progress heading into the Middle East this weekend.
"Obviously I was disappointed that Khalil wasn't able to fight," Ankalaev said.
"I was preparing for Khalil, but the fact that I got a new opponent last minute, I wasn't really disappointed by that. In fact, it's the opposite.
“I'm really happy that I have an opponent, somebody who was able to come out on such short notice and save the fight, so I'm excited."
UFC Fight Night Main card:
Magomed Ankalaev v Bodgan Guskov (Main event – Light Heavyweight)
Steve Erceg v Ramazonbek Temirov (Co-main – Flyweight)
Islam Dulatov v Wellington Turman (Welterweight)
Magomed Zaynukov v Damian Rzepecki (Lightweight)
Rizvan Kuniev v Tyrell Fortune (Heavyweight)