Ankalaev Opens As Favorite Over Ulberg, Prochazka

Magomed Ankalaev opened as the betting favorite in potential fights against heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg and former titleholder Jiri Prochazka despite a lackluster TKO win over Bogdan Guskov at UFC Abu Dhabi last weekend.

BetOnline has Ankalaev at -190 against Ulberg and -200 against Prochazka, per MMA Mania. Ulberg is temporarily sidelined with a knee injury while Prochazka is keeping the 205-pound division active, making either matchup possible for late 2026.

Weidman Defends Ankalaev's Abu Dhabi Performance

The Russian's five-round main event drew criticism for its slow pace through two rounds before Ankalaev secured a late finish. Former UFC champion Chris Weidman told Deep Waters that Guskov deserved more blame than Ankalaev. "The third round, I think he made a decision, realized that Bogdan isn't going to, like, throw at him crazy and go to war with him," Weidman said. "He tried to push the pace, he tried to look for the finish, and Guskov was running from him."

Ankalaev lost the heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight belt to Ulberg earlier this year at UFC 327, a defeat the Dagestani fighter called the worst day of his life. The oddsmakers still view him as the more dangerous threat in a rematch despite Ulberg holding the title.

Prochazka held the belt twice before losing to Alex Pereira and later to Ulberg. The Czech striker represents another path back to championship contention for Ankalaev if the promotion books that fight first.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — UFC odds: Not-boring Magomed Ankalaev opens as betting favorite over Carlos Ulberg, Jiri Prochazka