UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov — Full Card Preview, Predictions & Odds
The full breakdown of UFC Fight Night July 25: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Bogdan Guskov headlines, with Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Prates in a stacked co-main. Picks, odds, and fight-by-fight analysis.
Main Event: Ankalaev vs. Guskov — Light Heavyweight
Magomed Ankalaev (18-1-1) enters as the consensus No. 1 light heavyweight contender on a 9-fight unbeaten streak. The Dagestani southpaw combines elite wrestling with precise kickboxing — he's finished 7 of his last 9 opponents. Bogdan Guskov (14-3) counters with heavy hands and a physical, pressure-based style that has earned him six UFC finishes. This is a legitimate 50-50 matchup: Guskov has the power to end it early, Ankalaev has the skill to make it a long night.
Co-Main Event: Prochazka vs. Prates — Light Heavyweight
Jiri Prochazka (30-4-1) is back on the main card after reclaiming his spot as a top-5 light heavyweight. The former champion brings wild, unpredictable striking and relentless forward pressure. Carlos Prates (21-4) is one of the most exciting kickboxers in MMA — his 10 UFC bonuses and 85% finishing rate make this co-main must-watch television. Prochazka's chin and durability will be tested early; if he survives the first two rounds, his cardio becomes a massive advantage.
Main Card Breakdown
Steve Erceg vs. Ramazan Temirov (Flyweight) — Erceg is coming off a close loss to Alexandre Pantoja and needs a statement win. Temirov is an unbeaten prospect making his UFC debut. Erceg's experience should be decisive.
Umar Nurmagomedov vs. David Martinez (Bantamweight) — Umar is arguably the most complete fighter in the bantamweight division. Martinez is a tough out, but this feels like a showcase for the Nurmagomedov family's youngest star.
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Sam Patterson (Welterweight) — Ponzinibbio's granite chin and power are timeless, but Patterson has looked sharp in his recent outings. Potential fight of the night candidate.
Ismael Bonfim vs. Axel Sola (Lightweight) — Bonfim has quietly built a 4-1 UFC record with exciting performances. Sola represents a step up in competition.
Predictions
Main event pick: Ankalaev by unanimous decision (1.61). His wrestling and volume output over 25 minutes is simply too much for Guskov to overcome, even accounting for the knockout threat.
Co-main pick: Prochazka by KO/TKO R2 (2.20). Both men will trade early. Prochazka's durability and finishing instinct give him the edge once the fight opens up.
Fight to watch: Ponzinibbio vs. Patterson. Two strikers who like to trade, on a night card already packed with finishes. Bank on a bonus.
Full Fight Card
MAIN CARD · Guskov vs. Ankalaev · Prochazka vs. Prates · Erceg vs. Temirov · Nurmagomedov vs. Martinez · Ponzinibbio vs. Patterson · Bonfim vs. Sola
PRELIMS · Petersen vs. Walker · Said vs. Jacoby · Turman vs. Dulatov · Rzepecki vs. Zaynukov · Ribeiro vs. Tuchalov · Fortune vs. Kuniev · Izagakhmaev vs. Vagaev · Hussein vs. Gibson
