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Magomed Ankalaev fights short-notice replacement in UFC Abu Dhabi main event with Khalil Rountree out

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Magomed Ankalaev fights short-notice replacement in UFC Abu Dhabi main event with Khalil Rountree out

Magomed Ankalaev has a new opponent for his UFC Abu Dhabi headlining bout.

The UFC announced Monday that Ankalaev (20-2-1, 1 NC) is now set to fight Bogdan Guskov (18-3-1), who steps in for Khalil Rountree in the July 25 main event, which takes place at Etihad Arena. The reason for Rountree's withdrawal was not disclosed, though according to Ankalaev, Rountree pulled out with an injury.

Guskov was previously scheduled to rematch Jan Blachowicz at UFC Belgrade on Aug. 1, but that fight is off the schedule once again after previously being postponed from UFC 328 due to a Blachowicz injury.

Following Monday's announcement, Blachowicz released a statement claiming he was the first choice to step in for Rountree, but didn't think he could make the light heavyweight limit in time, so Guskov was selected instead. He still aims to stay on the UFC Belgrade card.

A quick updated about my upcoming bout.

UFC offered me to fight Ankalaev first. I wasn't sure if I'm gonna make the weight. After a couple of hours I confirmed the fight without any catchweight but it was a done deal with Guskov. So now I'm waiting for a new opponent for the [UFC Belgrade] Fight Night.

Ankalaev is currently No. 3 in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings after dropping the UFC light heavyweight title back to Alex Pereira at UFC 320 this past October. It was Ankalaev who ended Pereira's reign as 205-pound champion, but “Poatan†gained his revenge in their immediate rematch. It was Ankalaev's first loss since his UFC debut in March 2018.

The new UFC Abu Dhabi headliner gives Guskov (No. 12) a chance to jump into the top 5 of the rankings with a win. After fighting Blachowicz to a majority draw at UFC 323, the two have twice been booked to settle the score, but for now both men move on to fresh matchups.

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MMA

Bogdan Guskov replaces injured Khalil Rountree in UFC Abu Dhabi main event

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Bogdan Guskov replaces injured Khalil Rountree in UFC Abu Dhabi main event

UFC Abu Dhabi has a new main event with less than two weeks to
go.

Khalil
Rountree was originally scheduled to fight Magomed
Ankalaev (20-2) in the Fight Night main event on July 25 at
Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. However, Rountree is out
of the matchup due to an injury. Bogan Guskov (18-3) has stepped up
on short notice to replace the American against Ankalaev.

Magomed Ankalaev remains atop the July 25 Fight Night card

Guskov has finished all 18 of his career wins so far. The Uzbek
light heavyweight is coming off a majority draw against Jan
Blachowicz that marked the end of a four-fight finishing
streak.

Meanwhile, Ankalaev was undefeated in 13 straight outings when he
dominantly dethroned Alex
Pereira to win the light heavyweight title at
UFC 313 in March last year. However, Pereira knocked out
Ankalaev in just 80 seconds at
UFC 320 in October.

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MMA

Bryce Mitchell makes history with UFC BJJ clash against Mikey Musumeci

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Bryce Mitchell makes history with UFC BJJ clash against Mikey Musumeci



Bryce
Mitchell will become the first active
Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter to take on a UFC BJJ
champion, Mikey
Musumeci.

Mitchell will square off against Musumeci in a non-title clash,
which serves as the headliner for UFC BJJ 11. It will be contested
at featherweight, which means Musumeci will move up a division to
face Mitchell. UFC BJJ light heavyweight champion Mason
Fowler will defend his crown against Nicky Rod in the co-main
event.

UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell faces UFC BJJ champion Mikey
Musumeci in historic featherweight matchup

Musumeci enters the matchup unbeaten under the UFC BJJ banner after
previously enjoying a perfect run in One
Championship. The five-time IBJJF black belt world champion
(four times in Gi and once in No-Gi) captured the UFC BJJ
bantamweight title before successfully defending it three times.
His four UFC BJJ appearances after UFC Fight Pass Invitational 9
have resulted in three heel hooks and one foot lock.

Meanwhile, “Thug Nasty” has competed in three grappling matches
over the past nine months. In this run, he secured a draw against
fellow UFC fighter Jean Silva
in March and a win over J.J. Bowers, but lost to Landon Elmore via
heel hook.

Mitchell has scored the majority of his 19 MMA wins by submission,
forcing 10 tap-outs. His most recent victory came against Santiago
Luna in June, when he won via an arm triangle choke.

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Terrance McKinney says UFC 329 stoppage sgainst King Green was premature

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Terrance McKinney says UFC 329 stoppage sgainst King Green was premature

Terrance McKinney took issue with his bout being stopped with
seconds left in the round. | 📷: Getty/UFC



Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight Terrance
McKinney claims his
UFC 329 fight with King Green
should have gone to the next round.

The main card opener was stopped by referee Kerry Hatley just
seconds before the first round concluded. He stepped in after Green
landed a body shot and McKinney turtled up against the fence,
albeit still covering his head. “T.Wrecks†has now addressed what
he believes was an early stoppage but sees the positives in his
performance.

McKinney reflects on the King Green loss, the controversial
stoppage and what he’d change

McKinney started strong, walking down Green with his typical early
forward pressure. He even came close to submitting the seasoned
veteran, who ultimately escaped before finding the finish moments
later to conclude a chaotic one-round bout. McKinney recently
reflected on his performance and Green's finish, saying the referee
should've let the fight go longer.

“Got me in liver, but the ref should have let it go to next round,
only two seconds left,†McKinney wrote on X. “I'm proud of the
growth I had, wasn't just tweaking, picked my shots. We'll be back,
congrats to [Green].â€

Responding to a comment about why he went for a rear-naked choke
instead of maintaining full mount, McKinney admitted that he made a
tactical mistake. “I would def stayed on top,†he responded.

McKinney and Green were later seen enjoying a night out together on
their socials, showing that there was no ill will between them
after the fight despite tensions going into it. With the loss,
McKinney fell to 8-6 in the UFC. So far, in his 27 pro fights, only
four have gone beyond the opening round. Meanwhile, Green has now
won four straight fights.


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