Ankalaev stops Guskov in fifth round at UFC Fight Night

Magomed Ankalaev returned to the octagon on Saturday at UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, securing a fifth-round technical knockout over Bogdan Guskov. The stoppage came at 2:41 of the final round after Guskov covered up from ground strikes. Ankalaev, who lost the light-heavyweight title in October, said through an interpreter, > "I was out for a long time, [but] now I'm back and I'm going to start my hunt for the thing I lost."

The bout, contested at 205 pounds, was largely one-sided. Guskov, who stepped in on short notice after Ankalaev’s original opponent withdrew, spent much of the fight circling and avoiding exchanges. Ankalaev noted, > "He wasn't engaging in the striking. I was trying to find him but he kept getting away. I've said this before, when a striker comes out against me in a fight, I have to go hunt and find them."

Statistics from UFC Research showed Ankalaev landed 122 strikes to Guskov’s 42. After taking Guskov down in the fourth and fifth rounds, Ankalaev maintained control and forced the referee to halt the contest. The victory improves his record to 22-2-1 and may move him closer to a future title shot, with a potential third fight against former champion Alex Pereira being discussed.