Guskov steps in for short-notice Ankalaev at UFC Abu Dhabi, saying “nobody wanted” the replacement

A late fight-week pivot has reshaped UFC Abu Dhabi’s light heavyweight picture, with Bogdan Guskov stepping in on short notice to fight former UFC champion Magomed Ankalaev. Guskov, according to Yahoo Sports, said he was not surprised that the replacement assignment proved difficult to fill, framing his own decision as the one nobody else seemed eager to take.

The adjustment began with Ankalaev’s original booking. He was slated to headline UFC Abu Dhabi on July 25 in a light heavyweight bout against Khalil Rountree, but Rountree withdrew due to injury. That opened the door for a replacement opponent, and Guskov took the opportunity after reportedly being given roughly 14 days to prepare.

For Guskov, the core challenge is straightforward: accepting an opponent of Ankalaev’s caliber with limited time compresses everything from training camp structure to opponent-specific preparation. Ankalaev brings substantial experience at the sport’s highest level, and a short-notice swap typically means the incoming fighter is asked to do more with fewer looks and less elapsed time to fine-tune game plans.

Ankalaev, meanwhile, keeps a marquee spot on the July 25 card. The headline slot matters in UFC terms because it concentrates attention, highlights the division’s current form, and can influence how quickly the promotion builds toward its next set of championship conversations. Swapping the opponent on short notice does not change the underlying stakes of facing a former champion.

Guskov’s comments also point to a practical reality in the UFC ecosystem. When a withdrawal happens close enough to the event, fighters and their teams evaluate risk, readiness, and scheduling overlap. Yahoo Sports reported Guskov’s view that “nobody wanted” the fight on that timeline, suggesting the process of finding a suitable replacement was not immediate.

What to watch next is how both fighters handle the shortened turnaround once the fight week begins, particularly whether Guskov can translate his preparation into effective in-cage execution against a polished opponent. For Ankalaev, the focus will be on maximizing the benefits of opponent stability despite the late change, using his own camp structure to avoid being disrupted by the opponent swap.