Bogdan Guskov explains why he chose Magomed Ankalaev fight at UFC Abu Dhabi over Jan Blachowicz rematch

Bogdan Guskov has provided MMA fans with an insight into how his short-notice fight against Magomed Ankalaev came to be. 

The Uzbekistan-born fighter of Russian descent also touched upon why he chose the Ankalaev matchup over his rematch against Jan Blachowicz. 

Bogdan Guskov's rollercoaster journey to his main event fight against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC Abu Dhabi

Bogdan Guskov made his UFC debut back in 2023, losing to one-time UFC light heavyweight title challenger Volkan Oezdemir by way of submission. Guskov bounced back by racking up four consecutive victories. 

"Czarevitch" knocked out Zac Pauga and Ryan Spann in 2024. Guskov competed thrice last year -- submitting Billy Elekana in January, knocking out Nikita Krylov in July, and then fighting Jan Blachowicz to a majority draw in December. 

Guskov was expected to rematch former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz in March of this year, then in May. That said, Blachowicz's knee injury and miscellaneous factors postponed their potential second encounter. 

Well, the UFC scheduled Guskov to face Blachowicz in a rematch at UFC Belgrade that'll transpire on August 1. Meanwhile, former UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev was set to take on Khalil Rountree Jr. in the headlining match of UFC Abu Dhabi on July 25. 

However, Rountree Jr. recently sustained an injury and withdrew from the event. The UFC reportedly tried to bring in Jan Blachowicz to face Ankalaev in Abu Dhabi. Blachowicz and Ankalaev had fought to a split draw for the vacant light heavyweight belt back in 2022. 

But Blachowicz chose not to take the rematch, citing that he wouldn't be able make weight on time for the Abu Dhabi event that takes place one week prior to his planned return. The UFC, as such, subsequently booked the Polish fighter to face Navajo Stirling at UFC Belgrade. 

Bogdan Guskov reveals why he chose Magomed Ankalaev fight at UFC Abu Dhabi instead of Jan Blachowicz rematch

During a recent conversation with MMA Fighting's Mike Heck, Bogdan Guskov was asked about what influenced him to accept the short-notice matchup against Magomed Ankalaev in lieu of a rematch against Jan Blachowicz. 

The 33-year-old responded by suggesting that Ankalaev is a bigger name than Blachowicz, which, in turn, encouraged him to opt for the matchup against the Dagestani fighter. 

Furthermore, he indicated that facing Ankalaev -- whose latest fight was a championship matchup, a TKO loss in his rematch against Alex Pereira last October -- is a great opportunity for him. 

Guskov stated, "This is my chance. This chance can change my career, change my life. And this Ankalaev, I think, more biggest name than Jan (Blachowicz). And I don't need (to) think a long time." 

Guskov emphasized that he doesn't have any qualms about accepting short-notice matchups, implying that he's always ready to fight anyone, anywhere, and at any time. He noted, "For me, say let's go. I say let's go. Like this -- 50 second." 

The Gor Azizyan-trained fighter pointed out that his UFC Abu Dhabi fight would be his maiden main event matchup for the promotion, signaling that seeing his face on billboards and posters feels great.

Guskov also underlined the magnitude of the opportunity, recounting how he's worked hard to come a long way -- being a youngster from a village in Uzbekistan to headlining a UFC card. 

Watch Bogdan Guskov shed light on how he agreed to fight Magomed Ankalaev on short notice below (*comments at the 1:15-minute mark of the video):