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UFC Abu Dhabi results: Magomed Ankalaev fends off Bogdan Guskov with forgettable 5th-round knockout

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UFC Abu Dhabi results: Magomed Ankalaev fends off Bogdan Guskov with forgettable 5th-round knockout

Magomed Ankalaev got back to his dominant winning ways, but he probably shouldn't wait for that championship call anytime soon.

In a UFC Abu Dhabi main event that was occasionally met with boos, Ankalaev put on a workmanlike performance against short-notice replacement Bogdan Guskov before finding a finish in the final round.

Watch Ankalaev's technical knockout stoppage below.

After only a few minutes, it was clear Guskov was not prepared to throw caution to the wind in his attempt to upset a former UFC light heavyweight champion and top 5 ranked fighter. Ankalaev invited Guskov to spar with him at range and Guskov obliged, presenting little danger and allowing Ankalaev to pick him apart on the feet.

Through the first two rounds, Ankalaev had a clear advantage on the scorecards, but that had as much to do with Guskov's complete lack of offense as it did Ankalaev's methodical striking game. The short-notice underdog, known for his hard-hitting knockouts, looked timid against Ankalaev and it only got worse for Guskov as the fight went on. Making matters worse for the Etihad Arena crowd, who were vocal in their displeasure, Ankalaev was content to do just enough to earn 10-9s without coming close to a finish by the end of Round 3.

In Round 4, Guskov needed a Hail Mary finish to win and instead he was grounded and nearly choked out by Ankalaev. The former champion later took Guskov down in the fifth and continued to cruise until Marc Goddard called for a strangely timed—but merciful—stoppage 2:41 into the round.

This was an important win for Ankalaev (21-2-1), who was coming off of a disappointing 80-second loss to rival Alex Pereira in a light heavyweight championship rematch this past October. That was Ankalaev's first loss since 2018, but with his victory Saturday he is now unbeaten in 15 of his past 16 fights.

In his post-fight interview, Ankalaev put the onus on Guskov for the dull contest.

“He wasn't engaging in the striking,†Ankalaev said via a Russian translator. “I was trying to find him and he kept getting away.â€

Guskov (18-4-1) sees a five-fight unbeaten run come to an end after a disappointing performance. The Uzbek standout stepped into the UFC Abu Dhabi main event on 12 days' notice after Ankalaev's original opponent Khalil Rountree Jr. was forced out with an injury. Guskov was originally scheduled to meet Jan Blachowicz in a rematch next Saturday at UFC Belgrade.

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MMA

Raoni Barcelos still has no diagnosis after losing consciousness in UFC fight

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Raoni Barcelos still has no diagnosis after losing consciousness in UFC fight
Raoni
Barcelos says medical testing has yet to determine why he lost
consciousness during his
Ultimate Fighting Championship headliner against Raul Rosas
Jr.

Barcelos faced Rosas Jr. in the main event of
UFC Vegas 121 last month. The Brazilian led on the judges'
scorecards entering the fifth round but lost consciousness during a
grappling exchange against the fence. Rosas Jr. was awarded a
technical knockout victory, and the 39-year-old Barcelos was
transported to a Level 1 trauma center.

Raoni Barcelos undergoes medical tests after losing
consciousness against Raul Rosas Jr. at UFC Vegas 121

Barcelos said he is undergoing tests in Las Vegas to determine what
happened. He hopes to continue fighting but has not ruled out
retirement.

“Unfortunately, we don't know what happened,†Barcelos told MMA
Fighting. “It was a sudden illness. I fell ill and I felt my whole
body really starting to go numb. After that, I don't remember
anything. I only remember [arriving] in the ambulance, asking my
father what happened, and him trying to explain it as best as he
could. It really was an unfortunate [circumstance]. I got sick and
to this day we still don't understand. I'm undergoing a battery of
tests here in [Las] Vegas. I had another on Monday and we're
waiting for a good result. The doctor hasn't released the results
yet and everything is being kept confidential. But I feel better
every day.â€

Barcelos (22-6) entered the bout on a five-fight winning streak. He
has competed in the UFC since 2018, compiling an 11-5 promotional
record with victories over Said
Nurmagomedov, Cody
Garbrandt and Payton
Talbott.

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MMA

Brand Risk 16 Results: West vs. Beasley

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Brand Risk 16 Results: West vs. Beasley

MMA Fighting has Brand Risk 16 results for the West vs. Beasley fight card and more from the Brand Risk Warehouse in Miami, Fla., on Friday night.

In the most notable fight, NBA veterans Delonte West and Michael Beasley clash in a heavyweight boxing fight.

Deshae Frost and YK Osiris is the new main event after Wendy Ortiz failed to clear medicals for the Florida State Athletic Commission to postpone her clash against Yera, according to a statement by Brand Risk.

The fight between King Azoulay and Supa Hot Fire was not approved by the commission as well.

Check out the Brand Risk 16 results below.

Main card (MMA Fighting at 8 p.m. ET)

Deshae Frost vs. YK Osiris

Amanda Solis vs. Mysterious

Ashley Trevino vs. Bree Olsen

Delonte West vs. Michael Beasley

Jack Doherty vs. Kodiyak Redd

Scam Likely vs. Ashley Bak-Su

AP the Fighter vs. Isaac Taylor

Bob Menery vs. Big Zo (MMA)

Jeremy Smith vs. Flysoulja (MMA)

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MMA

Jasmine Jasudavicius expects Erin Blanchfield to wrestle 'once she feels these hands' at UFC Edmonton

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Jasmine Jasudavicius expects Erin Blanchfield to wrestle 'once she feels these hands' at UFC Edmonton

Jasmine Jasudavicius is looking to cement herself as a title contender at UFC Edmonton.

Jasudavicius is set to take on Erin Blanchfield in the co-main event of UFC Edmonton. Jasudavicius enters the bout as a +255 underdog while the American is a -350 favorite on FanDuel. The fight was supposed to happen at UFC 330 in August, but an injury to Blanchfield delayed it to August. Although the Canadian was frustrated to have the fight postponed, she is ecstatic for it to be taking place in Edmonton now.

“That is exactly it. It was like two weeks out that I heard it was being moved,†Jasudavicius said on Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com. “Initially, I was so frustrated because I just put in a whole camp. I was ready, my weight was good, and I was firing on all cylinders. It got moved, and at least we are fighting in Canada now. This works out even better.â€

With extra time, Jasudavicius said she did take some time off to avoid burnout. But she also feels like the extra time will only help her, as she knows Blanchfield is one of the best in the world.

“She's talented; she's one of the top fighters in the world. I won't be talking too much shit. She's skilled, but I know how skilled I am, and I am ready to test myself against the best girls in the world,†Jasudavicius said.

Jasmine Jasudavicius hopeful to earn title shot at UFC Edmonton

Although Jasudavicius is an underdog, she has full confidence in her skillset. She believes she is better on the feet. So, she expects Blanchfield to try and wrestle her a ton, especially once she lands a couple of punches.

If Jasudavicius can turn Blanchfield into just a wrestler, she is confident she will be able to pull off the upset win at UFC Edmonton.

“I'm not too sure. I've watched all of her fights, and it's not like she's going to the wrestling right away; she is comfortable with striking. But I do think once she feels these hands, she will be shooting a little bit more. … My hand will be raised at the end of the night,†Jasudavicius said.

If Jasudavicius gets her hand raised, she believes it will cement her as a title contender at flyweight. And, it would set up a rematch with Natalia Silva, which the Canadian would be thrilled to get the chance to not only avenge her loss, but to take the belt off her.

“It would mean a lot; it's a big milestone,†Jasudavicius concluded. “Just getting into the UFC is a big deal; getting 10 fights in the UFC is a big deal; to get 10 wins is another feather in my cap. … That would be my dream. She gave me the lost which hurt, so if I can take the belt off her, it would fulfill me. I show well, say I finish Blanchfield, it would be me in the talks to get a title shot.â€

Do you think Jasmine Jasudavicius will beat Erin Blanchfield at UFC Edmonton?

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


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