MMA DFS and Betting Breakdown: UFC Fight Night - Ankalaev vs. Guskov

by Liam Heslin (LiamPicksFights) Last Updated 2026-07-24 00:56:51 Premium Content Part of the product MMA Premium

Davis of the UFC

Liam Heslin (aka LiamPicksFights) is a massive combat sports fan with over a decade of experience competing in wrestling and grappling martial arts. For each UFC event, he produces the MMA DFS and sports betting breakdown for RotoGrinders. Read below for his in-depth analysis on UFC Fight Night – Ankalaev vs. Guskov.

While Bogdan Guskov is not a household name among UFC fans, his opponent Magomed Ankalaev twice shared the cage with Alex Pereira, and the former champion has a large global fanbase. The UFC has assembled a strong supporting cast for the milquetoast main event. There will be 6 (dare I say) quality debutants on the slate, beginning with the first fight of the night.

Editor’s Note: Analysis of remaining fights is coming soon.

Note: All DFS salaries listed are from DraftKings & all odds quoted are from FanDuel Sportsbook.

UFC Fight Night – Ankalaev vs. Guskov: MMA DFS Picks & Betting Breakdown

Abdul Hussein ($9,300) vs. Cody Gibson ($6,900)

Fight Odds: -550 Hussein vs. +390 Gibson
Weight Class: 135lb. (Bantamweight)

Gibson of the UFC

Abdul Hussein (UFC Debut) is a 28-year-old prospect who has been training alongside UFC talent at Great Britain Top Team. Hussein has rattled off 8 straight wins via finish since his last MMA defeat against the undefeated Muhammad Mokaev (7-0 UFC; 40-Fight Pro-Am MMA Win Streak). Hussein doesn’t have a bounty of big-name wins, but he is treating his overmatched opponents accordingly, finishing at a 93% clip. His most recent finish was an impressive KO1 against UFC veteran Tyson Nam (3-5 UFC; 23-16-1 Pro) in December. “King” Hussein will need to overcome UFC jitters and a clear size disadvantage, but he should benefit from being 10 years younger than his opponent (28 vs. 38).

Cody Gibson (3-7 UFC) looks solid if you evaluate his career based on his UFC stats, but he has only won 3 of his 10 UFC starts. “The Renegade” enters this bout on a skid, having been submitted by Da’Mon Blackshear (5-4-1 UFC) in the second round and knocked out by Aoriqileng (4-5 UFC) in the opening minute. Gibson’s 3 wins in the promotion are against Chad Anheliger (2-3 UFC), Brian Kelleher (8-9 UFC), and Johnny Bedford (2-3 UFC; 1NC). Gibson is a fighter who burns bright, but he tends to burn out quickly. If he is unable to connect with his power shots against Hussein early, I see Gibson slowing down, especially on short notice. Gibson is stepping up for Muin Gafurov, who was supposed to be fighting Hussein.

Abdul Hussein has extensive combat sports experience with a 2-0 pro boxing record, 17 professional MMA fights, and an IMMAF Amateur World Championship. If anyone would be ready to make the transition to the UFC seamlessly, it would be a fighter like Hussein who tested himself against UFC-caliber competition in 2021 and proved he could provide meaningful resistance. Gibson deserves credit for earning credible wins on the regional scene over UFC quality fighters to get a second chance with the promotion, but unfortunately for him, he was brought back post-prime, and his results have mirrored his first run in the promotion. The only difference is that age is starting to compromise Gibson’s chin and cardio. Hussein should have more paths to win the fight over a longer time horizon and in more positions.

Prediction: Abdul Hussein defeats Cody Gibson via Stoppage

Nurullo Aliev ($8,500) vs. Mike Davis ($7,700)

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