Ankalaev and Guskov both hit light heavyweight at UFC Abu Dhabi weigh-ins

Magomed Ankalaev returns to action in Abu Dhabi after a championship setback, while Bogdan Guskov steps into a UFC main event as Saturday’s card prepares to air live on Paramount+.

By The Apex Times Newsroom2 min readAI-assisted Apex article

The UFC’s return to Abu Dhabi is officially underway after Friday’s weigh-ins, with both headliners making weight for their featured light heavyweight fight on Saturday. Magomed Ankalaev and Bogdan Guskov weighed in at 205.5 pounds, setting the stage for a five-round contest in a main-event spot that carries fresh positioning inside the division.

For Ankalaev, the weigh-in marks an Octagon return that ends a pause since his last high-profile championship run. According to the report, this is his first UFC main event since he lost the light heavyweight title to Alex Pereira, a defeat that came by TKO in 80 seconds.

The same account also frames Ankalaev’s broader arc before that title fight. Prior to the setback, he had not lost since 2018 and had compiled a run of wins over opponents including Pereira and Aleksandar Rakic, along with Anthony Smith, before that championship moment changed the direction of his season.

Guskov, meanwhile, enters his UFC main event for the first time. He also made weight at 205.5 pounds and is coming off a majority draw against Jan Blachowicz. The weigh-in context positions Guskov as a fighter looking to convert momentum from recent results into a marquee stage appearance.

The report describes a strong run for Guskov leading into Saturday, including four straight wins. Those victories included knockouts of Nikita Krylov, Ryan Spann, and Zac Pauga, and they have helped him move toward a larger spotlight as the UFC maintains its busy stretch of international events.

Beyond the headliners, the weigh-in was described as uneventful from a drama perspective, with all other listed fighters also making their marks. The overall card features 13 bouts, giving the promotion a full schedule to open the weekend in Abu Dhabi.

In addition to the weigh-in results themselves, the immediate watch point is how the division’s matchups shape out from this matchup. With Ankalaev returning after a championship loss and Guskov stepping into his biggest platform to date, Saturday’s fight offers a clear checkpoint for what each fighter’s next path could look like.

Why It Matters

Ankalaev’s return to a UFC main event can clarify how the promotion continues to line up title-relevant matchups in the light heavyweight class.
Guskov stepping into a five-round spotlight provides an opportunity to test whether his recent win streak translates to higher-stakes, main-card pressure.
Both fighters making weight at the same number removes a procedural variable, making the matchup focus on performance rather than rehydration or missed-mark contingencies.
With the UFC’s international schedule continuing, the Abu Dhabi card also becomes a platform for fighters to widen their recognition to new audiences.

Sources

Key Facts

UFC Abu Dhabi weigh-ins were held ahead of Saturday’s 13-fight card.
Magomed Ankalaev weighed in at 205.5 pounds for the light heavyweight main event.
Bogdan Guskov also weighed in at 205.5 pounds for the light heavyweight main event.
The headliner is scheduled for five rounds.
The report says Ankalaev’s prior championship loss came to Alex Pereira by TKO in 80 seconds.
The report says this is Guskov’s first UFC main event and that he is coming off a majority draw against Jan Blachowicz.
The event is set to air live on Paramount+ on Saturday, with the main card starting at noon ET/9 a.m. PT.