UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov - Odds, Predictions, Picks

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev returns to the Octagon this Saturday, as he bids to get back on track after losing the belt to Alex Pereira in his last bout. He takes on Uzbek fighter Bogdan Guskov who drew with former champ Jan Blachowicz last December.

• Ankalaev and Guskov headline the event in the Middle East, battling it out in an intriguing light heavyweight contest 

• Steve Erceg squares off against Ramazan Temirov in the co-main event for a flyweight bout

We’ve previewed every fight on the main card ahead of UFC Fight Night 282. Find the latest odds and our picks and predictions for the first UFC event of the year in Abu Dhabi.

UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov - Odds

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UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov - Picks & Predictions

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Bogdan Guskov - Light Heavyweight Division

• Our pick: Magomed Ankalaev to win & over 2.5 rounds (+161) at FanDuel

Steve Erceg vs. Ramazan Temirov - Flyweight Division

• Our pick: Steve Erceg by Points (+155) at FanDuel

Islam Dulatov vs. Wellington Turman - Welterweight Division

• Our pick: Islam Dulatov by KO/TKO (-165) at FanDuel

Magomed Zaynukov vs. Damian Rzepecki - Lightweight Division

• Our pick: Magomed Zaynukov by Points (+155) at FanDuel

Rizvan Kuniev vs. Tyrell Fortune - Heavyweight Division

• Our pick: Rizvan Kuniev by Points (+150) at FanDuel

Abubakar Vagaev vs. Saygid Izagakhmaev - Welterweight Division

• Our pick: Saygid Izagakhmaev (+200) at FanDuel

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Bogdan Guskov - Light Heavyweight Division

Having lost just one of his last 15 fights in the UFC, Ankalaev enters this matchup as the heavy -590 favorite with FanDuel. What aids his cause even further is that Guskov is taking this fight on short notice, with the Russian originally scheduled to face Khalil Rountree Jr.

Guskov heads into this bout on a five-fight unbeaten streak, and is yet to lose since his promotional debut after being submitted by Volkan Oezdemir. He’s recorded some solid wins in that time, including against Ryan Spann, Billy Elekana, and Nikita Krylov. However, Ankalaev represents a big step up in opposition.

The Uzbek fighter has the potential knockout power to cause an upset, securing KO wins over Krylov, Spann, and Zac Pauga. That said, his takedown defense is weak, which will likely lead Ankalaev to using his wrestling skills here, despite the 34-year-old usually preferring to stay on his feet.

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Steve Erceg vs. Ramazan Temirov - Flyweight Division

The oddsmakers have this fight priced perfectly balanced, as each fighter comes in at moneyline odds of -113 with FanDuel. Can Australian fighter Erceg extend his winning streak to three, or will Temirov maintain his unbeaten run with the promotion?

Erceg sealed back-to-back decision victories over Ode' Osbourne and Tim Elliott in his last two fights, snapping a three-fight skid that started with a close title loss against Alexandre Pantoja.

As for Temirov, he’s 2-0 since joining the UFC. He’s already wrapped up wins over CJ Vergara and Charles Johnson, and primarily looks to stay on his feet, making the most of his knockout power. He’ll have to get on the inside given Erceg’s five-inch reach advantage, but the Aussie could utilize his wrestling skills and take this fight down to the mat.

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Islam Dulatov vs. Wellington Turman - Welterweight Division

With just one loss on his pro record and on a 12-fight winning streak, Islam Dulatov is the undoubted -1000 favorite with FanDuel ahead of his welterweight bout against Wellington Turman. Dulatov will be looking to go 2-0 in the UFC after finishing Adam Fugitt inside the first round in his debut around a year ago. His explosiveness could see him winning this one early on.

Brazilian Turman is returning to the Octagon for the first time since December 2023. He’s looking to end a three-fight losing streak and overcome a long list of injury issues. However, the odds suggest he’s in for a very difficult night.

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Magomed Zaynukov vs. Damian Rzepecki - Lightweight Division

Two undefeated fighters clash in a lightweight bout this weekend in Magomed Zaynukov and Damian Rzepecki, as they make their UFC debuts in Abu Dhabi. A Dana White’s Contender Series graduate, Zaynukov is the -340 favorite with FanDuel against Polish fighter Rzepecki. He’ll look to use a mix of his striking and wrestling skills to get this one over the line.

“Wild Chanco” is hyped as one of the next big Dagestani fighters, and does have an impressive Muay Thai and wrestling background, training with Islam Makhachev. His opponent, nicknamed “The Butcher,” has a striking resume of 10 wins and zero defeats, finishing nine of those victories.

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Rizvan Kuniev vs. Tyrell Fortune - Heavyweight Division

A pair of ranked heavyweights meet for this bout as Rizvan Kuniev goes head-to-head with Tyrell Fortune. Kuniev is the -350 favorite with FanDuel and is looking to build on his decision win over Jailton Almeida last time out.

Prior to the win over Almeida, Kuniev suffered a narrow split decision loss to Curtis Blaydes. This time around, he will be expected to put the pressure on Fortune and build some momentum.

Aged 36, Fortune only made his UFC debut back in March. He had a long career with Bellator, and has made a couple of appearances in the PFL, but is now officially on the UFC roster. He picked up a win on debut, too, beating Marcin Tybura by unanimous decision.

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Abubakar Vagaev vs. Saygid Izagakhmaev - Welterweight Division

The UFC Fight Night 282 main card opens with a welterweight bout between Abubakar Vagaev and Saygid Izagakhmaev. The former is making his promotional debut, while the latter is appearing in just his second fight in the UFC. Vagaev is listed as the -265 favorite with FanDuel.

Vagaev has plied his trade in the WFCA and ACA, two Russian promotions, and enters this bout on a three-fight win streak. As for opponent Izagakhmaev, the 31-year-old secured three ONE Championship wins before moving over to the UFC. However, he dropped a split decision to Nicolas Dalby last November on debut.

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How to Watch UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov

• Location: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

• When: Saturday, July 25

• Time: 12:00 PM ET

• How: Paramount+