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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Matt Erickson and Mike Bohn

Bogdan Guskov shuts down Johnny Walker rebooking after UFC 311

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Bogdan Guskov beat Billy Elekana with a second-round submission Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 311 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif.

Take a look inside the fight with Guskov, who got Elekana as a late replacement when Johnny Walker pulled out.

Bogdan Guskov def. Billy Elekana

Result: Bogdan Guskov def. Billy Elekana via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 3:33
Updated records: Guskov (17-3 MMA, 3-1 UFC), Elekana (7-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Key stats: Guskov got his third UFC finish in less than a year after a loss in his promotional debut.

Guskov on the fight’s key moment

Jan 18, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Bogdan Guskov (red gloves) fights Billy Elekana (blue gloves) during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

“All my camp, we trained vs. southpaws. I know Johnny (Walker) – Johnny’s a striker. This guy Billy is a good grappler – not a striker. He waits for his moment and takes everybody down and tries to choke everybody (like he did with me in the first round). He said he was a kickboxer, but I saw no kickboxing (from him).”

Guskov on his first-round choke

Jan 18, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Bogdan Guskov (red gloves) fights Billy Elekana (blue gloves) during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

“After the first round, the referee said go to the corner. I started feeling pain in my (right) hand. I think I broke it. Second round, I had planned to show a little bit of my base attack, then after try to choke him – because then my right hand had no power.”

Guskov on what he wants next

“Never. I don’t want to make a deal with Johnny (Walker). I don’t want to fight him in the sport. For me, it’s better with other guys. Johnny, we stay good friends. We have a relationship. I don’t want to fight with Johnny ever. It’s not good. He started this sh*t, and after he stopped the sh*t. It’s part of our game.”

To hear more from Guskov, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 311.

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