The UFC returns to Abu Dhabi this Saturday with a Fight Night card that blends established contenders with some of the promotion’s brightest young prospects, many from Russia and Central Asia. Here are my UFC Abu Dhabi predictions.
UFC Abu Dhabi predictions and odds cheat sheet
| Fight and odds | Prediction | Confidence |
| Vagaev -275 (1.36) | Izagakhmaev +225 (3.25) | Abubakar Vagaev via Split Decision | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ |
| Kuniev -280 (1.36) | Fortune +225 (3.25) | Rizvan Kuniev via Unanimous Decision | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ |
| Zaynukov -330 (1.30) | Rzepecki +260 (3.60) | Magomed Zaynukov via Unanimous Decision | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ |
| Dulatov -800 (1.13) | Turman +550 (6.50) | Islam Dulatov via Second-Round TKO | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Erceg -110 (1.91) | Temirov -110 (1.91) | Ramazan Temirov via Second-Round TKO | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ |
| Ankalaev -550 (1.18) | Guskov +400 (5.00) | Magomed Ankalaev via Second-Round TKO | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
UFC Abu Dhabi predictions: best bets
· Best Moneyline: Islam Dulatov -800 (1.13) – A stylistic mismatch against a returning Wellington Turman makes Dulatov the safest pick on the card.
· Best Method Bet: Ramazan Temirov by KO/TKO – His explosive power matches up well against Steve Erceg’s tendency to get caught by fast, aggressive punchers.
· Best Value Bet: Magomed Zaynukov by Decision – Damian Rzepecki is durable enough to extend the fight, but Zaynukov’s pace and striking volume should carry him to the scorecards.
· Best Underdog: Bogdan Guskov +400 (5.00) – If you’re taking a shot on an upset, Guskov has the clearest path with his one-punch knockout power, although he remains a deserved underdog against Ankalaev.
· Best Parlay: Rizvan Kuniev + Islam Dulatov + Magomed Ankalaev Moneyline. – These are the four favorites I trust most to get their hands raised
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Read my other UFC Abu Dhabi predictions!
A Dagestani and Central Asian dominated card
While the original main event between Magomed Ankalaev and Khalil Rountree Jr. fell apart after Rountree withdrew through injury, the UFC quickly found a replacement in Bogdan Guskov. The change keeps the event intact and arguably creates a more action-packed stylistic matchup, as Guskov was already preparing for a ranked opponent and enters fight week in fighting shape.
Outside of the headliner, this is a card that could shape several divisions over the next year. Islam Dulatov looks every bit like a future contender at welterweight, Magomed Zaynukov finally makes his long-awaited UFC debut after impressing on Dana White’s Contender Series, and Ramazan Temirov has the opportunity to prove he belongs among the flyweight elite. It may not be the biggest Fight Night of the year, but there are plenty of meaningful storylines from the opening fight to the main event.
The Abu Dhabi main card may not feature multiple championship fights, but it offers a compelling mix of proven contenders and rising prospects. Several fighters have the opportunity to move significantly closer to title contention, while Ankalaev looks to remind the division why he’s still considered one of the elite light heavyweights in the sport. By the end of the night, this event could be remembered less for its short-notice main event and more for the emergence of the UFC’s next wave of contenders.
Abubakar Vagaev vs. Saygid Izagakhmaev Prediction
The main card opens with what I think is the toughest fights of all the UFC Abu Dhabi predictions. On paper, it’s a clash between two outstanding sambo specialists, but I actually expect plenty of striking because their wrestling could largely cancel itself out.
Izagakhmaev is the more explosive fighter and probably carries the greater finishing threat early, but I trust Vagaev’s pace, cardio and ability to win the smaller exchanges over three rounds. He rarely gives opponents opportunities to dictate the fight, and I think that consistency will be the difference in a competitive opener.
Prediction: Abubakar Vagaev via split decision.
Full Abubakar Vagaev vs. Saygid Izagakhmaev Prediction Here
Rizvan Kuniev vs. Tyrell Fortune Prediction
The main card begins with an intriguing heavyweight clash between two accomplished wrestlers who are trying to establish themselves in the UFC. Tyrell Fortune enjoyed a successful Bellator run before joining the promotion, while Rizvan Kuniev has quietly built momentum against far tougher competition. His performances against Curtis Blaydes and Jailton Almeida showed that he can survive and even thrive against some of the division’s best grapplers.
Because both men are strong wrestlers, I don’t expect either to dominate with takedowns for fifteen minutes. Instead, I think this fight will largely play out on the feet, where Kuniev has the more polished and varied striking. Fortune certainly carries enough power to end the fight with one clean punch, but Kuniev is the more complete mixed martial artist and has already proven he can remain composed against elite opposition.
Prediction: Rizvan Kuniev via unanimous decision.
Full Rizvan Kuniev vs. Tyrell Fortune Prediction Here
Magomed Zaynukov vs. Damian Rzepecki Prediction
This has all the ingredients to become the sleeper fight of the evening. Zaynukov arrives with plenty of hype after his impressive Contender Series performance and his connection to Team Makhachev, but Damian Rzepecki deserves far more respect than the betting odds suggest. The undefeated Polish prospect has shown he can finish fights both on the feet and on the mat, making him a legitimate test rather than a showcase opponent.
I still favor Zaynukov because of his pace, technical striking and ability to consistently outwork opponents over three rounds. However, I don’t expect this to be a one-sided contest. Rzepecki has enough skill to make Zaynukov think throughout the fight, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this ends up being one of the most competitive bouts on the card.
Prediction: Magomed Zaynukov via unanimous decision.
Full Magomed Zaynukov vs. Damian Rzepecki Prediction Here
Islam Dulatov vs. Wellington Turman Prediction
Islam Dulatov continues to look like one of the UFC’s most exciting prospects. Every time he steps into the cage, he showcases the combination of size, athleticism and knockout power that has many fans predicting a rapid climb through the welterweight rankings. The biggest questions surrounding him have never been about talent, but rather how he’ll respond when he’s forced into deep waters against elite competition.
I’m not convinced Wellington Turman is the opponent who answers those questions. After spending nearly three years away from competition, Turman returns against a younger, faster and far more explosive striker. His experience gives him a chance if he can consistently force grappling exchanges, but I think Dulatov’s physical advantages and offensive pressure will dictate where the fight takes place. Unless Turman can create prolonged wrestling sequences, I expect Dulatov to produce another highlight-reel finish.
Prediction: Islam Dulatov via second-round TKO.
Full Islam Dulatov vs. Wellington Turman Prediction Here
CO-MAIN: Steve Erceg vs. Ramazan Temirov Prediction
From a stylistic standpoint, this is my favorite fight on the card. Steve Erceg is the cleaner and more experienced mixed martial artist, with excellent boxing fundamentals and the composure that comes from fighting for a UFC title. Ramazan Temirov, meanwhile, is one of the division’s most explosive finishers and fights with constant forward pressure from the opening bell.
The concern for Erceg is that we’ve already seen him struggle against opponents who combine speed with knockout power. Temirov fits that description perfectly, and he doesn’t need many opportunities to change a fight. I actually think Erceg wins several exchanges with his technique and timing, but over the course of fifteen minutes I trust Temirov to land the more damaging shots. That’s enough for me to side with the underdog in what should be one of the night’s most entertaining contests.
Prediction: Ramazan Temirov via second-round TKO.
Full Steve Erceg vs. Ramazan Temirov Prediction Here
MAIN EVENT: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Bogdan Guskov Prediction
The main event changed dramatically when Khalil Rountree Jr. withdrew, but Bogdan Guskov is about as good a replacement as the UFC could have found on short notice. Because he was already preparing to face Jan Blachowicz, Guskov enters this fight in shape and with a full training camp behind him. His aggressive style, willingness to throw combinations and genuine knockout power should force Ankalaev to stay alert from the opening bell.
Even so, I still believe Ankalaev is operating on another level. He’s one of the smartest strikers in the sport, consistently makes adjustments as fights progress and rarely allows opponents to dictate the tempo for long. I expect Guskov to enjoy some early success through sheer aggression, but once Ankalaev begins reading his entries and countering the forward pressure, the momentum should swing decisively in the champion’s favor. By the middle rounds, I think Ankalaev’s superior technique and composure will produce the finish.
Prediction: Magomed Ankalaev via second-round TKO.