The UFC is visiting Abu Dhabi this weekend for a well-shaped Fight Night show.Former UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev is the star of the 13-fight UAE card as he takes on Uzbekistan’s Bogdan Guskov.Ankalaev became a first-time UFC champion by defeating Alex Pereira on points at UFC 313 in March last yearGettyBut the Russian was knocked out by ‘Poatan’ seven months later in their light heavyweight title rematchGettyAnkalaev, who dropped the 205lbs title to Alex Pereira last time out at UFC 320 in October, was originally booked to face Khalil Rountree in the main event.But an injury forced the American to withdraw on short notice, allowing Guskov to step up for the biggest fight of his career.Ankalaev vs Guskov headlines the event, also known as UFC Fight Night 282, with No. 10-ranked flyweight Steve Erceg, No. 8 heavyweight Rizvan Kuniev and Briton Sam Patterson other notable names on the card.UFC Abu Dhabi: Start time and how to followUFC Abu Dhabi takes place on Saturday, July 25.It is being held at Etihad Arena on Yas Island in the UAE.Preliminary action is scheduled to begin at 2pm BST (9am ET, 6am PT).The main card is then set to get underway from 5pm BST (12pm ET, 9am PT).Ankalaev vs Guskov is expected to take place around 8pm BST (3pm ET, 12pm PT).UFC Abu Dhabi will be streaming live on TNT Sports and HBO Max for fans in the UK and Ireland.In the US, the event will air on Paramount+.The winner of Ankalaev vs Guskov will be in the driving seat to fight for the light heavyweight title currently held by Carlos UlbergGettyUFC Abu Dhabi: Fight cardSubject to changeMain cardMAIN EVENT: Magomed Ankalaev vs Bogdan Guskov – Light HeavyweightCo-main: Steve Erceg vs Ramazan Temirov – FlyweightIslam Dulatov vs Wellington Turman – WelterweightMagomed Zaynukov vs Damian Rzepecki – LightweightRizvan Kuniev vs Tyrell Fortune – HeavyweightAbubakar Vagaev vs Saygid Izagakhmaev – WelterweightIsmael Bonfim vs Axel Sola – LightweightPreliminary cardValter Walker vs Thomas Petersen – HeavyweightDustin Jacoby vs Muhammad Said – Light HeavyweightSantiago Ponzinibbio vs Sam Patterson – WelterweightMagomed Tuchalov vs Brendson Ribeiro – Light HeavyweightNurullo Aliev vs Mike Davis – LightweightCody Gibson vs Abdul Hussein – BantamweightUFC Abu Dhabi: What has been said?Guskov told the UFC he expects a win over Ankalaev to get him a shot at the light heavyweight title, currently held by Carlos Ulberg.View Tweet: https://x.com/VisitAbuDhabi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw“It’s a big dream in my life to be in the main event,” Guskov said.“One weeks’ notice or two weeks? It doesn’t matter. I was born ready.“The next step is a title shot. I hope. I believe. This is the biggest chance in my career and I think all my life is going to change.“I don’t think about winning or losing — I think about this fight, this step and let’s see on the future.”After Pereira moved up to the heavyweight division, Ulberg won the vacant light heavyweight title by knocking out Jiri Prochazka at UFC 327 in April.However, Ulberg tore his ACL during the victory and UFC CEO Dana White has said an interim light heavyweight title fight is likely while the New Zealander is out.A win for either Guskov or Ankalaev would almost guarantee their spot in that fight.UFC Meta RankingsThe UFC ranking system is ever-evolving and is now more different than ever.Right up until the summer of 2026, the UFC used its official rankings based on media votes.However, as of June 22, 2026, the UFC began transitioning away from the traditional media panel to new AI-based rankings in partnership with Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta.The new rankings will be automatically calculated and updated every Monday following official events.And talkSPORT.com have made it easy for MMA fans to stay up to date with the new system through a full and regularly updated UFC Meta Rankings list, including stars from the heavyweight and lightweight divisions.