UFC Abu Dhabi July 2026 recap: Ankalaev stops Guskov, four UFC 333 fighters win
Temirov, Kuniev, Vagaev and Aliev all won at Etihad Arena in July and return to the same cage on 24 October.
UFC 333 is not the first UFC night at Etihad Arena this year. On 25 July, UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov was the promotion's 23rd visit to Abu Dhabi and its first since UFC 321 in October 2025. Several fighters from that card are back on Saturday 24 October.
In the main event, Magomed Ankalaev stopped Bogdan Guskov with strikes at 2:41 of the fifth round, according to Combat Press. Guskov had stepped in less than two weeks out after Khalil Rountree Jr. withdrew injured.
Ramazan Temirov produced the fastest statement of the night among the UFC 333 names, knocking out Steve Erceg with punches at 4:21 of the first round and earning a Performance of the Night bonus. Rizvan Kuniev beat Tyrell Fortune with knees at 1:12 of the third round in the Fight of the Night.
Abubakar Vagaev took a unanimous decision over Saygid Izagakhmaev in a welterweight bout, after Izagakhmaev replaced Magomedrasul Gasanov. Nurullo Aliev won every round on all three cards against Mike Davis. Magomed Zaynukov and Muhammad Saidov were also among the winners.
All four of those UFC 333 fighters now face tougher tests. Temirov meets Lone'er Kavanagh on the main card, Kuniev faces Alexander Volkov, Vagaev takes on Jacob Malkoun and Aliev meets Grant Dawson, on the night the UFC makes its 24th Abu Dhabi visit.
UFC 333: Volkanovski vs EvloevSat 24 Oct · Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi See ticketsSource: Combat Press, Wikipedia, The National
