Magomed Ankalaev Stops Bogdan Guskov in Round Five at UFC Abu Dhabi

Magomed Ankalaev made another statement on July 25, stopping Bogdan Guskov in the fifth round at UFC Abu Dhabi to retain the UFC light heavyweight title in clinical fashion.

Patient then ruthless

Ankalaev came in as the champion and one of the most well rounded fighters in the sport, and he showed exactly why the division is his. He was patient early, reading Guskov, controlling the exchanges, and never giving his challenger a comfortable moment.

Then in the fifth round he turned it up. Ankalaev found the opening he had been probing for, landed his shots in a flurry, and forced the stoppage to keep his title. It was a mature, championship performance from a fighter in complete control.

A division ruled with authority

This was Ankalaev once again putting his stamp on the light heavyweight division. Fight after fight he defends the belt, beats the best challengers the weight class can offer, and does it with a calm confidence that makes him look inevitable.

Rebuilding the division around him after years of change, Ankalaev has become the clear man to beat at 205 pounds.

What comes next

With the title secured again, the division's top contenders line up for a shot. Ankalaev has beaten the best they have put in front of him, and he will be a heavy favorite against whoever comes next as he keeps building his case as a pound for pound great.

Watch the fight

The full Ankalaev vs Guskov fight from UFC Abu Dhabi, and every big moment from the card, is up on WATCHPEOPLEFIGHT. Check the UFC tag for the biggest main events, or the MMA page for every finish and highlight. New fights land all the time.