Guskov vows three or four game plans to dismantle Whittaker at UFC Sydney

Bogdan Guskov is refusing to rely on a single blueprint when he faces former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in the co-main event of UFC Sydney on 7 February 2027 at Afterpay Arena. The light heavyweight contender, who holds an 18-4-1 record, will step up against Whittaker (27-9) in what he openly describes as one of the toughest tests of his career.

Speaking to Red Corner MMA, Guskov made clear that the unpredictability of a fighter of Whittaker’s calibre demands a layered approach in the training room.

“Well, he’s a former champion. There’s a number of keys, but which one will actually work is to be found out in the Octagon,” Guskov said. “I am going to have several tricks. It’s not just one trick I am going to use. Something might not work.”

Guskov expanded on why a rigid game plan would be a liability against Whittaker, acknowledging that the Australian veteran will arrive with his own surprises.

“We have enough time to prepare. So we are going to have at least three or four keys to victory. Either way, Robert is not just a random dude off the street. He will be preparing some stuff, and I don’t know the way he is going to fight.”

Despite the tactical caution, Guskov made no secret of his ambitions for the night itself. “Of course, I will try to produce a spectacular performance. Spectacular fights are what they love me for. I will be chasing a KO,” he added.

The matchup pits Guskov’s finishing instincts against Whittaker’s decorated championship pedigree, with the former champion looking to reassert himself at light heavyweight on home soil. With more than a year until fight night, both camps have ample time to build their respective strategies — a fact Guskov is clearly intending to exploit.