The UFC continues its world tour this weekend with a Fight Night card in Abu Dhabi, headlined by a light heavyweight clash between former champion Magomed Ankalaev and Bogdan Guskov.
Ankalaev is a heavy -550 favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook. Guskov is a +410 underdog, with the total set at O/U 2.5 Rounds.
Along with traditional sports betting and daily fantasy, you can now have more action than ever for UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov. Check out DraftKings UFC Pick6 for my favorite picks for Saturday’s UFC event.
Magomed Ankalaev More Than 9:45 Fight Time
Rare is the occasion when the “Fight Time” line for a five-round main event is set at just under two rounds. It’s important to capitalize on such opportunities.
Former light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev (21–2–1, 12–2–1 [1 NC] UFC) is an elite striker with a strong grappling base, though he’s not necessarily known for hunting stoppages. Only half of the Russian’s UFC wins have come inside the distance, and his only recent finishes (within the last four years) came against Johnny Walker and Anthony Smith. Everyone knocks those guys out.
His opponent, Bogdan Guskov (18–3–1, 4–1–1 UFC), may boast a 100 percent finish rate, but he’s coming off a draw with Jan Blachowicz. The Uzbek contender should have trouble notching a swift stoppage against Ankalaev, who — aside from last October’s blitz from Alex Pereira — has never been finished inside the cage. And unless Guskov is packing Pereira’s left hook, it seems unlikely that this fight gets decided within two rounds.
Ramazan Temirov More Than 14:55 Fight Time
Aside from that one time, former flyweight title challenger Steve Erceg (14–4, 5–3 UFC) isn’t known for his highlight-reel finishes. Only one of the Australian’s five UFC wins has come inside the distance — and he’s only been stopped once in his career. That trend should continue in Saturday’s clash with Ramazan Temirov (19–3, 2–0 UFC).
While the Uzbek prospect carries one-shot power, he’s returning to the UFC after serving a 12-month suspension due to testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs — casting doubt over his ability to constantly hunt for a finish, let alone secure one. “Astroboy” should lean on his considerable size advantage, refined striking skillset, and Octagon experience to control distance — and extend the fight until the final bell.
Islam Dulatov More Than 108.5 Fantasy Points
Don’t let his modeling background fool you, Islam Dulatov (12–1, 1–0 UFC) is dangerous. The Chechnya-born welterweight has won 12 straight bouts, all by finish. Eleven of them have come inside the first round. “The Ripper” put his fight-ending skillset on full display in his July 2025 Octagon debut, needing only four minutes to knock the consciousness out of Adam Fugitt — good for 108.9 fantasy points.
Dulatov is consistently securing quick finishes — whether by knockout or submission — which has proven to be a solid formula for piling up fantasy points. There’s a strong chance that he returns to the well on Saturday, facing the struggling Wellington Turman (18–8, 3–6 UFC). The Brazilian veteran has been away from the cage for nearly three years and returns after a turbulent stretch in which he dropped six of nine bouts — three by stoppage within two rounds.
Tyrell Fortune More Than 27.5 Significant Strikes
Longtime Bellator heavyweight Tyrell Fortune (18–3, 1–0 UFC) may have to lean on his standup game more than usual on Saturday night. The highly-decorated American wrestler is facing formidable Russian Rizvan Kuniev (13–3–1, 1–1 UFC), who enters with an incredible 93 percent takedown defense — stuffing 27 of 29 entries over four appearances across the UFC and Dana White’s Contender Series.
While Kuniev, a sharp boxer, should hold an advantage on the feet, he’s eaten at least 31 significant strikes in both of his trips to the Octagon. The line on Fortune — who landed 30 significant strikes in his UFC debut against Marcin Tybura — feels far too low for a bout that should remain standing.
Sam Patterson More Than 0.5 Knockouts
Before dropping a decision to the eccentric Michael Page in March, welterweight Sam Patterson (14–3–1, 4–2 UFC) had won four straight bouts by first-round stoppage — highlighted by a pair of knockouts. The English striker heads into Saturday with a 93 percent career finish rate, including six KO’s and seven submissions.
Known for putting fighters away early, Patterson will likely test the chin of Argentinian veteran Santiago Ponzinibbio (31–9, 12–8 UFC). The 39-year-old contender returns after a year-long hiatus, having dropped six of his last nine bouts. While he’s never been submitted, Ponzinibbio has suffered five losses by knockout or TKO — including his last trip to the cage against Daniel Rodriguez in May 2025.
Valter Walker More Than 86.5 Fantasy Points
Brazilian heavyweight Valter Walker (15–1, 4–1 UFC) has seemingly cracked the code for a high fantasy-point output: the heel hook. The surging prospect has cinched four consecutive first-round stoppages with the agonizing lock, most recently against Louie Sutherland in October 2025.
“The Clean Monster” will almost certainly be looking to return to the well on Saturday against Thomas Peterson (11–4, 3–3 UFC), who has alternated wins and losses since joining the promotion. But even if Walker struggles to take things to the ground — Peterson owns an 87 percent takedown defense — he still has pathways to recording a high-scoring performance.
Walker enters Saturday night with a 73 percent finish rate, comprising six knockouts and five submissions, with eight straight victories coming inside the distance. Add to that a significant size advantage over Peterson — five inches in height, four in reach.
What is DraftKings Pick6?
Pick6 is a peer-to-peer fantasy variant where you build a lineup (your “Pick Set”) of 2+ players and select whether or not you believe each will outperform their listed stat projection. Enter your Pick Set in Pick6 contests to compete against other users. Get enough picks correct and win a share of cash prizes.
How to Play DraftKings Pick6
Create a Pick Set
Create a Pick Set by choosing 2+ players from the same sport and Pick Group (a set of picks available from a group of set competitions). For each player, simply select if you think they’ll have more or less than their listed stat projection. In each Pick Set, you can not pick the same player twice, and you must pick players from at least two different teams.
Enter an Amount
Once you finalize your Pick Set, choose your entry fee amount. Your entries will be automatically distributed into available contests, subject to your confirmation.
Sweat Your Picks
When the games go live, use the My Picks tab to follow your picks in real time to track how your players are performing against their projections and how they stack up against other users.
Compete for Prizes
Make enough correct picks and win a share of the contests’ guaranteed prizes. Any prizes won will be credited to your DraftKings account after contests are finalized.
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