UFC Abu Dhabi Ankalaev vs Guskov - Match card, start time & where to watch
(Courtesy : UFC)
The upcoming UFC Abu Dhabi event features a packed 13-fight card.
UFC action will continue for the third week in a row as the MMA leader arrives in Abu Dhabi for a packed card featuring 13 fights. Headlined by a high-stakes clash between light heavyweight contenders Magomed Ankalaev and Bogdan Guskov, the event will air from Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on July 25.
Initially, former Champion Ankalaev was set to face former title contender Khalil Rountree Jr. However, Rountree pulled out of the fight due to an injury and was replaced by the rising contender.
Starting off his UFC career with two back-to-back wins over Billy Elekana and Nikita Krylov, Guskov suffered a loss against former champion Jan Blachowicz in his last trip to the octagon. A win over Ankalaev, who held the title very recently, will catapult him into title contention.
On the other hand, Ankalaev, after losing the light heavyweight crown to Alex Pereira in the rematch at UFC 320, is looking to remind everyone that he is still at the top of his game.
Although a win over Rountree would have helped Ankalaev’s case in asking for a title shot, especially since his nemesis, Pereira, has moved up to heavyweight, Ankalaev can still call his shot with a statement win over Guskov
Apart from the headliners, the event also features a flyweight showdown between Steve Erceg and Ramazan Temirov in the co-main event. Check out the full event preview, including the complete fight card, start times, and telecast details below.
UFC Abu Dhabi Ankalaev vs Guskov: Main Card
- Magomed Ankalaev vs Bogdan Guskov
- Steve Erceg vs Ramazan Temirov
- Islam Dulatov vs Wellington Turman
- Magomed Zaynukov vs Damian Rzepecki
- Rizvan Kuniev vs Tyrell Fortune
- Abubakar Vagaev vs Saygid Izagakhmaev
UFC Abu Dhabi Ankalaev vs Guskov: Prelims
- Valter Walker vs Thomas Petersen
- Dustin Jacoby vs Muhammad Said
- Santiago Ponzinibbio vs Sam Patterson
- Ismael Bonfim vs Axel Sola
- Magomed Tuchalov vs Brendson Ribeiro
- Nurullo Aliev vs Mike Davis
- Cody Gibson vs Abdul Hussein
Date, Time, and Venue for UFC Abu Dhabi: Ankalaev vs Guskov
| Information | Details |
| Event Name | UFC Abu Dhabi Ankalaev vs Guskov |
| Date | Saturday, July 25, 2026 (Sunday, July 26 in Australia) |
| Location | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
| Venue | Etihad Arena |
| Capacity | Approximately 18,000 |
| Prelims Start Time (US) | 9:00 AM ET / 6:00 AM PT |
| Main Card Start Time (US) | 12:00 AM ET / 9:00 AM PT |
| Main Event Cage Walks (US) | Approx. 2:30 PM ET / 11:30 AM PT |
| Prelims Start Time (India) | 6:30 PM IST |
| Main Card Start Time (India) | 9:30 PM IST |
| Main Event Cage Walks (India) | Approx. 11:30 PM IST |
| Prelims Start Time (UK) | 2:00 PM BST |
| Main Card Start Time (UK) | 5:00 PM BST |
| Main Event Cage Walks (UK) | Approx. 7:30 PM BST |
| Where to Watch (US) | Paramount+ |
| Where to Watch (UK & Europe) | TNT Sports (UK) & HBO Max (UK & Italy)RMC Sport (France, Switzerland)UFC FIGHT PASS (Germany, Poland, Spain & Switzerland)DAZN (Germany & Austria) |
| Where to Watch (India) | Sony LIV |
| Where to Watch (Australia) | Paramount+ |
When is UFC Abu Dhabi: Ankalaev vs Guskov?
UFC Abu Dhabi takes place on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Fans in Australia can watch the main card on Sunday from 3 AM AEST.
What time does the UFC Abu Dhabi main card start?
The main card begins at 12:00 PM ET / 9:00 AM PT in the United States, 5:00 PM BST in the UK, and 9:30 PM IST in India.
Where can I watch UFC Abu Dhabi: Ankalaev vs Guskov?
Fans in the United States can stream the event on Paramount+. In India, it will be available on Sony LIV, while viewers in the UK can watch on TNT Sports. Broadcast options vary across Europe and Australia.
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Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.