Magomed Ankalaev Reveals the Real Reason for Boring Fight at UFC Abu Dhabi: 'It Doesn't Depend on Me'

Ankalaev promotes UFC event. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

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Magomed Ankalaev does not consider himself responsible for the boos from the audience in the main fight of UFC Abu Dhabi . The Russian faced Bogdan Guskov at the event held last Saturday (25) and emerged victorious after knocking out his opponent in the fifth round. Despite the dominant triumph , the fight did not excite the fans present.

In an interview with 'Red Corner MMA', Ankalaev stated that he tried to set the pace of the fight from the beginning, pressuring his opponent and seeking direct confrontation. According to the fighter, Guskov adopted an excessively defensive posture, constantly retreating and avoiding more open exchanges.

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“Whether the fight was boring or not, that wasn’t up to me. I was pushing forward. I wanted to fight, but my opponent stayed on the defensive and kept backing away. So I decided to fight on the ground and finish him there,” said Ankalaev.

Magomed Ankalaev dominates Bogdan Guskov, but bores audience at UFC Abu Dhabi

Having not fought since his loss to Alex Poatan at UFC 320 in October 2025, Magomed Ankalaev returned to action at UFC Abu Dhabi against Bogdan Guskov . Despite leaving no doubt about his superiority, the Russian failed to excite the fans.

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Ankalaev controlled Guskov for four rounds with little action and, only in the fifth round, already under boos from the crowd, managed to secure a technical stoppage via ground and pound, more due to his opponent's fatigue than to the damage caused by his own strikes.