“Hitman” is okay.
No. 9-ranked Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight Bogdan Guskov suffered a fifth-round stoppage loss to former 205-pound champion Magomed Ankalaev in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi yesterday (Sat., July 25, 2026) inside Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (watch highlights).
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Not long after the loss, Guskov took to his Instagram Story to address the defeat and let fans know he is not going anywhere.
“Hello everyone, that’s how it went today,” Guskov said in Uzbek. “I can say for certain Captain Uzbekistan never gives up. We’ll meet again.”
Respectfully, the mixed martial arts (MMA) universe probably hopes they do not.
Guskov (18-4-1) had his four-fight win streak officially snapped, although he entered the fight technically coming off a draw against former Light Heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz at UFC 323.
Before the Blachowicz draw, Guskov had won four straight fights inside the Octagon, stopping every opponent during that run, including Nikita Krylov (watch highlights), Billy Elekana, and Ryan Spann (watch highlights).
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“Hitman” also still holds a perfect 100 percent finish rate, with 15 knockouts and three submissions across his 18 professional wins.
So, while the short-notice gamble did not pay off, it was not exactly a terrible decision. Guskov stepped into a main event against a former champion with almost nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Unfortunately, what he gained was a fifth-round stoppage loss and a spot in what might be the worst fight of the year conversation.
As for what comes next, Guskov should still have plenty of fun options at 205 pounds.
And if UFC wants to keep feeding him former champions, how about a date with another one?
Maybe a former Middleweight champion named Robert Whittaker.
“Bobby Knuckles” vs. “Hitman” does have a nice ring to it.
For complete UFC Abu Dhabi results, coverage and highlights click HERE.
