Magomed Ankalaev fights short-notice replacement in UFC Abu Dhabi main event with Khalil Rountree out

Magomed Ankalaev has a new opponent for his UFC Abu Dhabi headlining bout.

The UFC announced Monday that Ankalaev (20-2-1, 1 NC) is now set to fight Bogdan Guskov (18-3-1), who steps in for Khalil Rountree in the July 25 main event, which takes place at Etihad Arena. The reason for Rountree’s withdrawal was not disclosed, though according to Ankalaev, Rountree pulled out with an injury.

Guskov was previously scheduled to rematch Jan Blachowicz at UFC Belgrade on Aug. 1, but that fight is off the schedule once again after previously being postponed from UFC 328 due to a Blachowicz injury.

Following Monday’s announcement, Blachowicz released a statement claiming he was the first choice to step in for Rountree, but didn’t think he could make the light heavyweight limit in time, so Guskov was selected instead. He still aims to stay on the UFC Belgrade card.

A quick updated about my upcoming bout.

UFC offered me to fight Ankalaev first. I wasn’t sure if I’m gonna make the weight. After a couple of hours I confirmed the fight without any catchweight but it was a done deal with Guskov. So now I’m waiting for a new opponent for the [UFC Belgrade] Fight Night.

Ankalaev is currently No. 3 in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings after dropping the UFC light heavyweight title back to Alex Pereira at UFC 320 this past October. It was Ankalaev who ended Pereira’s reign as 205-pound champion, but “Poatan” gained his revenge in their immediate rematch. It was Ankalaev’s first loss since his UFC debut in March 2018.

The new UFC Abu Dhabi headliner gives Guskov (No. 12) a chance to jump into the top 5 of the rankings with a win. After fighting Blachowicz to a majority draw at UFC 323, the two have twice been booked to settle the score, but for now both men move on to fresh matchups.