UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs Guskov Picks, Predictions and Odds July 25, 2026

UFC Fight Night Betting Preview

UFC Fight Night picks and predictions come from WagerTalk UFC handicapper Andy Lang for July 25, 2026 with the main event headlined by Magomed Ankalaev vs Bogdan Guskov in a light heavyweight fight. The main card starts up at 12:00pm ET from Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

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Magomed Ankalaev vs Bogdan Guskov: UFC Fight Night Main Event

Saturday, July 25	UFC Fight Night Betting Notes (Courtesy of Caesars)
Moneyline:	Magomed Ankalaev -500 vs Bogdan Guskov +400
Rounds:	4.5 (Over -128 / Under +100)
Fight Time:	Main Card Starts at 12:00pm ET / 9:00am PT
Arena:	Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
TV:	Paramount+

UFC Fight Night Undercard Predictions

Steve Erceg (-113) vs Ramazan Temirov (+108)

Temirov is one of the more entertaining fighters in the division. He’s undersized with a reach disadvantage, but he completely makes up for it with explosive speed and relentless aggression. He crashes into the pocket with power, and I think that’s a difficult style for Erceg, who can sometimes be tentative and low volume.

I wish Temirov fought more often, but the inactivity probably means he’s coming into this one completely healthy. Erceg would be smart to wrestle and slow the pace, but I like Temirov’s activity and explosiveness to shut down those attempts. Temirov is my pick.

Islam Dulatov (-669) vs Wellington Turman (+614)

Dulatov is an absolute whirlwind. He comes out fast, powerful, and aggressive, and almost all of his success has come in the opening round. His only career loss came in his professional debut.

He hasn’t fought in over a year, but the UFC brought back Wellington Turman, who hasn’t competed in two and a half years, for what feels like a setup fight.

Turman was cut after losing three straight, doesn’t offer much on the feet, and hasn’t been active since leaving the promotion. Dulatov should overwhelm him early and score another first-round finish.

Damian Rzepecki (+310) vs Magomed Zaynukov (-400)

This should be an entertaining striking battle, but Zaynukov has several clear advantages. Both guys are aggressive on the feet, but Zaynukov mixes in takedowns and throws outstanding

volume. Rzepecki is capable offensively, but the constant barrage of kicks from Zaynukov should gradually wear him down before opening up the wrestling later in the fight. I’m not excited about laying -400, but Zaynukov is the rightful favorite and should get the job done.

Rizvan Kuniev (-245) vs Tyrell Fortune (+233)

Kuniev should simply be the stronger fighter with better forward pressure. Fortune won his UFC debut against Marcin Tybura, but he fought at a slow pace, didn’t throw much volume, and wasn’t particularly impressive offensively.

Kuniev isn’t dramatically different stylistically, but I expect him to control the clinch more effectively and constantly pressure Fortune backward.

This probably turns into a slow, grinding fight against the fence, but Kuniev should have the bigger moments and earn the decision.

Abubakar Vagaev vs Saygid Izagakhmaev

No betting line is currently available for this matchup.

Valter Walker (-186) vs Thomas Petersen (+178)

Walker has won four straight fights by first-round heel hook, which makes this matchup incredibly difficult to handicap.

Petersen is probably the better pure striker, but Walker’s game revolves around immediately diving on submissions. If he doesn’t find the heel hook early, we still don’t know exactly how good he is on the feet because he rarely spends much time there.

Petersen moves forward but doesn’t defend particularly well. He can wrestle, but I think Walker continues doing what he’s been doing against this level of competition. Walker by submission is the pick.

Dustin Jacoby (-205) vs Muhammad Said (+170)

I came away surprisingly unimpressed with Muhammad Said.

He’s beaten some lower-level opponents, but he hasn’t faced anyone close to Jacoby’s caliber. Jacoby should have a major striking advantage. His kickboxing background is extensive, his stance is polished, and he’s one of the cleaner strikers in the division.

Said’s best path is wrestling, but I’m not convinced he’ll consistently take Jacoby down. I think Jacoby puts on a striking clinic and wins comfortably.

Santiago Ponzinibbio (+320) vs Sam Patterson (-400)

Patterson is coming off a frustrating loss to Michael Page, who spent most of the fight avoiding exchanges rather than engaging.

Normally, Patterson is one of the more violent fighters in the division. He can knock opponents out, submit them, and constantly looks for finishes. His biggest flaw is that he keeps his chin high and can be hit.

Ponzinibbio still carries power early, but his cardio has become a major issue. At nearly 40 years old, he fades quickly if he can’t find an early finish. Patterson is younger, more dynamic, and has more ways to win. He’s my pick.

Ismael Bonfim (+163) vs Axel Sola (-170)

Sola impressed me in his loss to Mason Jones. Even though he came up short, he landed plenty of strikes, showed excellent cardio, displayed durability, and even mixed in some wrestling.

Bonfim has the opposite problem. He’s dangerous for one round, but after that he tends to slow down dramatically. I expect an exciting first round with Bonfim having success early, but once the pace settles, Sola should begin taking over. If Bonfim fades like he has before, Sola could even find a late finish.

Brendson Ribeiro (+567) vs Magomed Tuchalov (-614)

Ribeiro has now lost three straight fights, and durability and cardio have both become major concerns. Tuchalov is a dynamic striker who should create problems immediately with his speed and offense.

This feels like a showcase fight designed to get Tuchalov a statement win while potentially handing Ribeiro his fourth consecutive loss, making room for another Contender Series prospect on the roster. Tuchalov should dominate this matchup.

Nurullo Aliev (-159) vs Mike Davis (+135)

I like the value on Mike Davis. Aliev simply hasn’t impressed me. His striking is slow, he doesn’t throw much volume, and while he can secure takedowns, he rarely does significant damage once he gets there.

I think Davis can match Aliev’s wrestling and may even have the edge in certain exchanges. On the feet, I’d also lean toward Davis being the cleaner striker. At plus money, I’ll gladly take the underdog.

Abdul Hussein (-400) vs Cody Gibson (+310)

Hussein looks like the real deal.

He’s a powerful, aggressive striker with multiple early knockouts. The level of competition hasn’t been elite, but this is another favorable matchup.

Gibson has lost two straight fights, was knocked out in his last appearance, and his only two UFC wins came against fighters who are no longer with the promotion.

Neither his striking nor his wrestling presents much of a threat here, which should allow Hussein to attack without much concern. I think Hussein lands the cleaner shots throughout and eventually scores the knockout.

UFC Fight Night Main Event: Magomed Ankalaev -500 vs Bogdan Guskov +400

Guskov deserves credit for stepping in on short notice and doing the UFC a huge favor, but this is a massive mismatch on paper.

Ankalaev should have advantages everywhere. He’s the better wrestler, arguably the better striker, and far more proven against elite competition. The UFC clearly wanted him on this Abu Dhabi card, and Guskov simply isn’t operating at Ankalaev’s level.

Unless something unexpected happens early, Ankalaev should control this fight from start to finish and make it look relatively easy.

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