Bogdan Guskov’s explosive UFC Abu Dhabi performance caught the attention of a man used to facing mind-blowing power.
Saturday’s UFC Fight Night at Etihad Arena concluded with a crucial win for Reinier de Ridder over Robert Whittaker, elevating the Dutchman into the middleweight title picture. But the main event winner was far from the only man who climbed a divisional ladder.
At the other end of the July 26 main card, Guskov made a splash in his latest Octagon outing. After losing a short-notice debut against top-10 competition in Volkan Oezdemir, the Uzbekistani fighter won three straight to earn another opportunity.
And he made the most of it at UFC Abu Dhabi, with Guskov running through Nikita Krylov in just 42 seconds to make it four finishes in his last four fights.
Dustin Jacoby raises his hand for Bogdan Guskov fight after UFC Abu Dhabi
With the victory on Saturday, Guskov can likely expect to take Krylov’s No. 10 spot in the UFC light heavyweight rankings. With that in mind, ‘Czarevitch’ will have his sights set on those above him in the pecking order.
But if the promotion struggles to match him up with a high-ranked opponent, one formerly ranked veteran would not mind throwing down with the up-and-coming powerhouse.
Moments after Guskov’s brutal triumph in the Middle East, Dustin Jacoby raised his hand to be the 32-year-old’s next opponent.
Jacoby, a 16-fight UFC vet, is coming off two devastating knockout wins in a row himself and is looking for the chance to regain a number next to his name at 205 pounds.
“Sign me up, please!” Jacoby wrote on X.
Dustin Jacoby was a victim of Alex Pereira’s left hook in kickboxing
Jacoby has fought a number of notable names in the UFC, including former title challengers Khalil Rountree and Dominick Reyes. He has yet, however, to face an ex-champion — at least, not in the cage.
‘The Hanyak’ does have history with former two-division titleholder Alex Pereira. The pair collided in kickboxing 11 years ago, fighting at Glory 14 in Zagreb, Croatia. Like many have in MMA since, Jacoby fell victim to the Brazilian’s patented left hook, marking the American’s one and only KO defeat in the sport.
“He’s faster, super fast! He’s a lot faster than he may appear,” Jacoby told InsideFighting earlier this year about his experience fighting Pereira.
“He has this aura about him, the physical presence. … The guy is a warrior. He’s in there to fight and the power is just ungodly.
“I’ve never felt anything like it. He hits so well,” he added.