by UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov is this weekend from Abu Dhabi.
A light heavyweight bout between former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Magomed Ankalaev and former title challenger Khalil Rountree Jr. was scheduled to headline the event. However, less than two weeks before the event, Rountree withdrew due to an injury and was replaced by Bogdan Guskov, who was originally scheduled to compete one week later at UFC Fight Night: Medić vs. Rodriguez. Even with the main event looking drastically different then it did a few weeks ago, this is still a stacked card for MMA fans and worth the watch.
For those of you looking to make a few bucks, I have made my usual Pick Six predictions.
Cody Gibson v Abdul Hussein
Pick – Abdul Hussein
Reason –Cody Gibson was a late sub fight for this fight who has lost two straight fights and 4 of his last 6. Gibson has lost 3 of those 4 quickly in the first round as well. Meanwhile, Hussein has won 7 straight and is on a roll. This one should be a “sure thing”.
Magomed Tuchalov v Brendson Ribeiro
Pick – Magomed Tuchalov
Reason – Tuchalov is 6-0 with 6 finishes and 4 of them in the first round. He is off too an amazing start and looks like a very deadly fighter. Ribeiro is on the backside of his career as this will be his 28th professional fight where he currently sits at 17-10. Plus, you have to bet on a guy when his first name is Magomed.
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs Sam Patterson
Pick – Sam Patterson
Reason – Ponzinibbio has lost 5 of his last 7 including 2 of his last 3. He is struggling and has been suspectable to the knockout. Patterson on the other hand has been a finisher in 13 of his 14 career wins, next to only 3 professional losses. Patterson is coming off a loss however and I believe will work hard to get back on the winning side of things quickly.
Rizvan Kuniev vs Tyrell Fortune
Pick – Rizvan Kuniev
Reason – This is a pickem, these are two guys relatively new to the UFC and wanting to make a splash. My thought is Kuniev is 2-1 in the UFC and a bit more seasoned, but I will say it again, this is a toss up and the coin came up Kuniev.
Islam Dulatov vs Wellington Turman
Pick – Islam Dulatov
Reason – Islam Dulatov is the largest favorite on the card at -950. And for good reason. He is on a 11 fight win streak with all 11 coming way of violent finishes. It will be a long night for Turman who appears to be the next victim.
Magomed Ankalaev v Bogdan Guskov
Pick – Magomed Ankalaev
Reason – Here’s the thing, Guskov wasn’t even in this fight two weeks ago and few considered him to a main eventer. He will have a lot to prove and do his best to take advantage of this sudden giant opportunity. Ankalaev is 22-1 and a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. He has all the making of returning to title contention and will need to make a major impact on this card to earn a shot at the current champion Carlos Ulberg. I think he gets it done!
