Matches to make after UFC Abu Dhabi

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The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s latest foray into Abu Dhabiwas marked by a grinding main event and a highlight-reelco-feature.

In Saturday’s headliner, former 205-pound kingpin MagomedAnkalaev ground down short-notice replacement BogdanGuskov before stopping him with punches in the fifth round.Much more to the fans’ delight, RamazonbekTemirov needed just one round to flatline former flyweighttitle challenger Steve Ercegwith a thunderous right hand in the co-main event. Overall, theUFC Abu Dhabi event saw eight finishes out of 12 matchups.

Here are some possible matchups for the winners of the UFC AbuDhabi main card.

What’s next for Magomed Ankalaev?

Ankalaev (21-2-1, 1 NC; 13-2-1, 1 NC UFC) ground out Guskov in aone-sided but forgettable main event. The Russian dictated theexchanges over the first three frames before switching towrestling, where he battered a defeated Guskov, stopping his opponent with punches at the 2:41 mark of Round 5.Ankalaev had everything to lose here, with Guskov stepping in onshort notice for KhalilRountree. With the win banked, attention turns to what comesnext: a shot at the title held by CarlosUlberg. “Black Jag” is currently sidelined by injury, but areturn early next year seems plausible.

Who can stop “Tamerlan?”

In the co-feature, Rizin Fighting Federation alum RamazonbekTemirov (20-3, 3-0 UFC) flatlined former 125-pound titlechallenger Erceg. Coming off a year-long suspension, “Tamerlan”showed no signs of cage rust and stopped his opponent with one clean right hand at the 4:21 mark ofthe opening round, running his winning streak to 12. WhileTemirov asked for a title shot afterward, the flyweight may firstneed to get past AsuAlmabayev to crack the top of the flyweight rankings. Almabayevis fresh off a decisive win over CharlesJohnson and chasing a shot of his own. Let the two clash; funwill follow.

“Chanco” Unchained

DanaWhite’s Contender Series graduate MagomedZaynukov (9-0, 1-0 UFC) won the spectators over as he overcameDamianRzepecki in their lightweight tilt. Zaynukov put his muay thaibackground to work, slicing Rzepecki with a variety of elbows totake the battle of UFC newcomers. The KhabibNurmagomedov protégé dominated the striking exchanges from topto bottom, earning three 30-27 marks from judges. The potentialseems to be there, and fans will now wonder how “Wild Chanco” faresagainst a fighter who pairs a solid wrestling base with realfinishing power, like ThomasGantt. That bout would also show how far he can climb in acrowded 155-pound division.

Kuniev brings the knees

The 34-year-old RizvanKuniev (14-3-1, 1 NC; 2-1 UFC) broke TyrellFortune down methodically in their heavyweight meeting. TheDWCS alum picked his foe apart with nasty body work and punchesthat left their mark on the BellatorMMA veteran’s face. Referee Jim Perdios mercifully waved it offat 1:12 of Round 3, following a series of knees that broke Fortune’s will. With thetop of the heavyweight division booked and the rankings crying outfor fresh names, a clash with Josh Hokitmakes the most sense next. The winner would be just one step awayfrom a shot at the title.

Welcome to the Big Leagues

Former Absolute Championship Akhmat 170-pound titleholder AbubakarVagaev (25-4, 1-0 UFC) made his UFC debut with a win overSaygidIzagakhmaev, though he didn’t dazzle. The 33-year-old Chechenleaned heavily on his aggressive wrestling, smothering hisDagestani opponent’s offense through the opening frames beforehanging on through a perilous third. Still, the scorecards read29-28 in Vagaev’s favor. To make a statement quickly, Vagaev couldlock horns with Jean-PaulLebosnoyani, a well-rounded fighter still searching for his ownsignature UFC moment. Both own solid resumes, and a meeting wouldpush each to prove he belongs.

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