Matches to make after UFC Abu Dhabi

Getty Images/UFC The Ultimate Fighting Championship's latest foray into Abu Dhabi was marked by a grinding main event and a highlight-reel co-feature. In Saturday's headliner, former 205-pound kingpin Magomed Ankalaev ground down short-notice replacement Bogdan Guskov before stopping him with punches in the fifth round. Much more to the fans' delight, Ramazonbek Temirov needed just one round to flatline former flyweight title challenger Steve Erceg with a thunderous right hand in the co-main event. Overall, the UFC Abu Dhabi event saw eight finishes out of 12 matchups. Here are some possible matchups for the winners of the UFC Abu Dhabi main card.What’s next for Magomed Ankalaev? Ankalaev (21-2-1, 1 NC; 13-2-1, 1 NC UFC) ground out Guskov in a one-sided but forgettable main event. The Russian dictated the exchanges over the first three frames before switching to wrestling, 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 on short notice for Khalil Rountree. With the win banked, attention turns to what comes next: a shot at the title held by Carlos Ulberg. “Black Jag” is currently sidelined by injury, but a return early next year seems plausible.Who can stop “Tamerlan?” In the co-feature, Rizin Fighting Federation alum Ramazonbek Temirov (20-3, 3-0 UFC) flatlined former 125-pound title challenger 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 of the opening round, running his winning streak to 12. While Temirov asked for a title shot afterward, the flyweight may first need to get past Asu Almabayev to crack the top of the flyweight rankings. Almabayev is fresh off a decisive win over Charles Johnson and chasing a shot of his own. Let the two clash; fun will follow. Related » UFC Abu Dhabi round-by-round scoring “Chanco” Unchained Dana White's Contender Series graduate Magomed Zaynukov (9-0, 1-0 UFC) won the spectators over as he overcame Damian Rzepecki in their lightweight tilt. Zaynukov put his muay thai background to work, slicing Rzepecki with a variety of elbows to take the battle of UFC newcomers. The Khabib Nurmagomedov protégé dominated the striking exchanges from top to bottom, earning three 30-27 marks from judges. The potential seems to be there, and fans will now wonder how “Wild Chanco” fares against a fighter who pairs a solid wrestling base with real finishing power, like Thomas Gantt. That bout would also show how far he can climb in a crowded 155-pound division.Kuniev brings the knees The 34-year-old Rizvan Kuniev (14-3-1, 1 NC; 2-1 UFC) broke Tyrell Fortune down methodically in their heavyweight meeting. The DWCS alum picked his foe apart with nasty body work and punches that left their mark on the Bellator MMA veteran's face. Referee Jim Perdios mercifully waved it off at 1:12 of Round 3, following a series of knees that broke Fortune’s will. With the top of the heavyweight division booked and the rankings crying out for fresh names, a clash with Josh Hokit makes the most sense next. The winner would be just one step away from a shot at the title.Welcome to the Big Leagues Former Absolute Championship Akhmat 170-pound titleholder Abubakar Vagaev (25-4, 1-0 UFC) made his UFC debut with a win over Saygid Izagakhmaev, though he didn't dazzle. The 33-year-old Chechen leaned heavily on his aggressive wrestling, smothering his Dagestani opponent’s offense through the opening frames before hanging on through a perilous third. Still, the scorecards read 29-28 in Vagaev’s favor. To make a statement quickly, Vagaev could lock horns with Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani, a well-rounded fighter still searching for his own signature UFC moment. Both own solid resumes, and a meeting would push each to prove he belongs.