UFC Abu Dhabi Payouts - How much will Magomed Ankalaev, Bogdan Guskov & others get paid? Reported & estimated salaries
(Courtesy : UFC)
Magomed Ankalaev and Bogdan Guskov will headline UFC Abu Dhabi this weekend.
The UFC returns to the Middle East for a stacked 13-fight card, with UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs Guskov taking place on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
The main event pits former light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev against surging contender Bogdan Guskov, with Ankalaev looking to rebound from his title loss to Alex Pereira and Guskov aiming to punch his way into the 205lb title picture.
Ankalaev was originally slated to face former title contender Khalil Rountree Jr., but Rountree withdrew from the bout due to injury and was replaced by Guskov, who enters off a loss to former champion Jan Blachowicz after opening his UFC run with back-to-back wins over Billy Elekana and Nikita Krylov.
The co-main event features a flyweight clash between Steve Erceg and Ramazan Temirov, while the rest of the main card includes Islam Dulatov against Wellington Turman, Magomed Zaynukov against Damian Rzepecki, Rizvan Kuniev against Tyrell Fortune, and Abubakar Vagaev against Saygid Izagakhmaev.
When does UFC Abu Dhabi start?
| Event | Time (ET) | Time (BST) | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims | 9:00 AM | 2:00 PM | 6:30 PM |
| Main Card | 12:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 9:30 PM |
Magomed Ankalaev and Bogdan Guskov’s estimated payout
Magomed Ankalaev has established himself as one of the light heavyweight division’s biggest earners since claiming the title, with his biggest career payday coming at UFC 320, where his title defense against Alex Pereira reportedly banked him around $2.25 million once bonuses and pay-per-view shares were factored in. His base purse for the first Pereira fight at UFC 313 was reported to be in the $500,000-$750,000 range.
For his return to the Octagon after losing the belt, Ankalaev is unlikely to command a champion-tier purse, but as the No. 1-ranked light heavyweight and the clear promotional face of this card, his guaranteed base for UFC Abu Dhabi is projected in the $200,000-$400,000 range, with total earnings capable of climbing further through discretionary bonuses.
Bogdan Guskov has made far fewer UFC appearances than Ankalaev, and that gap in experience is reflected in his projected purse. His biggest career payday came at UFC 311, where he reportedly earned around $86,000. For this significant step up in opposition and card placement, Guskov’s base pay for UFC Abu Dhabi is projected in the $53,000-$55,000 range, with a win over a former champion likely to unlock a much bigger bonus check.
Steve Erceg and Ramazan Temirov’s estimated payout
Steve Erceg’s biggest career purse remains the $200,000 he earned challenging Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight title at UFC 301. His more recent outings, including his bout against Kai Kara-France, have drawn base pay in the $75,000-$100,000 range.
Given his experience and the co-main event slot at UFC Abu Dhabi, Erceg’s purse for this card is projected in the $75,000-$120,000 range.
Ramazan Temirov, fighting out of Uzbekistan, has disclosed career UFC earnings of around $50,000, with his biggest single disclosed payday coming from his performance-bonus-boosted win over C.J. Vergara. With this bout marking a notable step up in visibility as a co-main event fixture, his purse for UFC Abu Dhabi is projected in the $50,000-$70,000 range.
UFC Abu Dhabi: Other fighters’ estimated payouts
Wellington Turman and Islam Dulatov, both established mid-card names with multiple UFC appearances, are projected to draw base purses in the $30,000-$50,000 range typical for fighters at their stage of the roster.
Tyrell Fortune, who earned his first UFC win earlier this year, and Rizvan Kuniev are expected to be in a similar $20,000-$40,000 bracket, reflective of fighters early in their UFC tenure.
Damian Rzepecki and Magomed Zaynukov, along with Abubakar Vagaev and Saygid Izagakhmaev, round out a main card of fighters with limited disclosed UFC earnings so far, and are projected in the $12,000-$30,000 range common for fighters with only a handful of Octagon appearances.
UFC Abu Dhabi fighters’ estimated payouts
| Fighter | Reported / Estimated Payout |
|---|---|
| Magomed Ankalaev | $200,000 – $400,000 |
| Bogdan Guskov | $53,000 – $55,000 |
| Steve Erceg | $75,000 – $120,000 |
| Ramazan Temirov | $50,000 – $70,000 |
| Wellington Turman | $30,000 – $50,000 |
| Tyrell Fortune | $20,000 – $40,000 |
| Damian Rzepecki | $12,000 – $30,000 |
| Saygid Izagakhmaev | $12,000 – $30,000 |
Note: All figures below are analyst projections based on prior UFC compensation data. UFC has not officially disclosed individual purses for UFC Abu Dhabi.
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 in the early hours of Sunday, July 26.
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. Main event cage walks are expected around 2:30 PM ET / 11:30 AM PT in the US and 11:30 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 and HBO Max. Broadcast options vary across Europe and Australia, with RMC Sport, DAZN, and UFC Fight Pass covering different regions.
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