Alex Pereira's Rival Magomed Ankalaev Seeks Redemption at UFC Fight Night

Magomed Ankalaev, the second-ranked light heavyweight, is set to face ninth-ranked Bogdan Guskov in the main event at UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov on Saturday, July 25, at Etihad Arena in Yas Island/Yas West, United Arab Emirates.

What happened?

Ankalaev is coming off a TKO loss to Alex Pereira in the UFC light heavyweight title bout at UFC 320 this past October. This defeat has likely weighed heavily on Ankalaev's mind, and he will be looking to bounce back with a win against Guskov.

Why it matters for Alex Pereira

Alex Pereira's victory over Ankalaev in their previous encounter has given the Brazilian a significant advantage in the light heavyweight division. Pereira's win has also set the stage for a potential rematch between the two fighters in the near future.

What comes next?

Ankalaev's performance against Guskov will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike, as it will provide insight into his ability to recover from a tough loss. A win against Guskov would be a significant step towards redemption for Ankalaev, and could potentially set the stage for a rematch with Pereira.

And, as Ankalaev looks to bounce back from his loss to Pereira, he will be facing a tough opponent in Guskov. Guskov, who is coming off a draw with Jan Blachowicz at UFC 323 on December 6, 2025, will be looking to capitalize on Ankalaev's momentum and secure a win.

The six-bout main card is scheduled to start at approximately noon ET on Paramount+, and fans can expect an exciting matchup between Ankalaev and Guskov. With Ankalaev's loss to Pereira still fresh in his mind, he will be looking to prove himself against a tough opponent in Guskov.

In the main event, Ankalaev is a -535 favorite in the UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov odds at DraftKings Sportsbook, while Guskov is at +400. Before locking in any UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov picks, fans need to see the latest MMA predictions from SportsLine MMA analyst Kyle Marley.

Over the past three-plus years, $100 bettors who have followed Marley's picks are up nearly $10,000, and since May 2018, he has returned more than $21,000! Anyone who has followed Marley could be way up. He went 9-3 in his last card.

One of Marley's UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov picks is backing Mike Davis (+150) to win via split decision over Nurullo Aliev (-180) in a men's lightweight bout on the preliminary UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov card.

"This is a close fight," Marley said. "Aliev is the better wrestler with a perfect 11-0 record and will have the crowd behind him. Davis is the better striker and overall athlete in this matchup, and he just needs not to get stuck on his back here. I could see this fight going either way, so I'll side with the underdog by split."

Marley also has strong picks for Ankalaev vs. Guskov and other bouts on the UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov card. He's also backing an underdog who is a "better boxer and more dangerous striker" to emerge with a big victory!

Be sure to see his UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov picks before making any of your own. Who wins Ankalaev vs. Guskov, and which other fighters do you need to back with UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov predictions? Join SportsLine now to see which fighters you need to be all over Saturday, all from the expert who's up nearly $10,000 on MMA picks over the last three-plus years!

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