Pereira's Resurgent Performance at UFC 320 Prompts Significant Shifts in Pound-for-Pound Rankings

Las Vegas, NV – Alex Pereira, at 38 years old, demonstrated a profound return to form and dominance last Saturday, reclaiming his light heavyweight championship at UFC 320 in Las Vegas. His decisive victory against Magomed Ankalaev not only reversed a previous loss but also underscored his position as a prominent figure in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and led to a notable ascent in the sport’s pound-for-pound rankings.

Seven months prior, at UFC 313, Pereira had suffered a decision loss to Ankalaev, a result attributed by his camp to various mitigating factors, including accepting the fight on short notice and navigating the training camp with reported injuries, specifically a broken hand and a case of norovirus. However, in their immediate rematch, a fully healthy Pereira exhibited a commanding performance, overwhelming Ankalaev with relentless pressure and the constant threat of his renowned one-punch knockout power. The bout concluded in an 80-second technical knockout (TKO), firmly re-establishing Pereira’s standing.

The victory served as a significant redemption for Pereira, reinforcing his status as one of the UFC’s most marketable and impactful athletes. Furthermore, it critically altered perceptions regarding his placement among the sport’s elite pound-for-pound fighters, effectively framing the initial loss to Ankalaev as an anomaly rather than a decline.

In preparation for UFC 320, Pereira reportedly eschewed his usual international travel and ambassadorial duties, instead choosing to intensify his training regimen at his Connecticut gym under the guidance of his mentor, former UFC champion Glover Teixeira. This renewed focus was evident from the opening moments of the fight, as Pereira immediately closed the distance, pressuring Ankalaev into a defensive posture. The decisive moment arrived when Ankalaev made a singular error, allowing Pereira to land a powerful right cross that dropped him. Pereira swiftly followed up with elbows and hammer strikes from a top position, compelling the referee to halt the contest.

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Despite a relatively brief tenure of less than four years as a UFC fighter, Pereira has accumulated a championship record that rivals the career achievements of many Hall of Fame inductees. "Poatan" boasts a 10-2 record within the UFC, including seven victories over current or former champions and an impressive eight title bout appearances across only 12 professional fights. He also maintains the distinction of having defeated every fighter he has faced inside the Octagon.

While approaching 40, an age often associated with the twilight of a combat sports career, Pereira’s trajectory appears unhindered. His extensive kickboxing background, which saw him capture two divisional titles with GLORY and earn induction into its Hall of Fame, provides a foundation for his continued ambition. Following his recent victory, Pereira has openly expressed intentions to move up to the heavyweight division, signaling a continued pursuit of historical achievements.

Pereira, who reportedly sustained a broken foot during the rematch against Ankalaev and will require a period of recovery, has publicly voiced his desire for a "super fight" against Jon Jones. This potential bout is slated for next June at a UFC event reportedly planned for the White House in Washington, D.C. An even more substantial opportunity for Pereira could involve challenging the winner of the October heavyweight title bout between Tom Aspinall and Cyril Gane. Such a contest would offer Pereira the unprecedented opportunity to become the UFC’s first three-division champion. His ability to mask perceived weaknesses in his grappling and ground game has been instrumental in his historic success. Should he replicate this success in a third weight class, "Poatan" would solidify a legitimate claim to be considered among the greatest and most accomplished fighters in the sport’s history. Pereira’s current run represents a unique period in combat sports, characterized by his distinctive fighting style and status as a pay-per-view draw.

Men’s Pound-for-Pound Rankings Update

1. Ilia Topuria — Lightweight Champion
Record: 18-0 | Previous ranking: No. 1
Topuria solidified his position as a leading figure within the promotion by securing the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317 in June, where he knocked out Charles Oliveira. As the first unbeaten two-division champion in UFC history, Topuria’s technical and explosive boxing skills are widely regarded as among the most refined ever seen in the Octagon. His trajectory suggests a potential emergence as the most significant mixed martial arts (MMA) star since Conor McGregor, with a prospective clash against Justin Gaethje anticipated in early 2026.

2. Merab Dvalishvili — Bantamweight Champion
Record: 21-4 | Previous ranking: No. 3
At 34, "The Machine" continues to demonstrate continuous improvement throughout his 135-pound title reign. Five months after outpointing the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov despite a reported back injury, Dvalishvili submitted former champion Sean O’Malley in their June rematch at UFC 316. A third title defense of 2025 occurred in October, where he outpointed Cory Sandhagen. Dvalishvili’s cardiovascular endurance is considered exceptional, possibly unparalleled in UFC history.

3. Islam Makhachev — Welterweight
Record: 27-1 | Previous ranking: No. 2
Makhachev made the strategic decision to vacate his 155-pound title, despite the presence of former featherweight king Ilia Topuria’s ascent to his division. At 33, Makhachev aims to augment his increasingly legendary resume by competing for a title in a second weight class. He is slated to challenge the new welterweight champion, Jack Della Maddalena, this fall, potentially equaling Anderson Silva’s UFC record of 16 consecutive wins at November’s UFC 322 event in New York.

4. Alex Pereira — Light Heavyweight
Record: 12-3 | Previous ranking: No. 8
Pereira’s recent comeback victory marks a significant shift in his pound-for-pound standing. The 37-year-old Brazilian slugger, who appeared sluggish in a decision loss against Magomed Ankalaev in March, delivered a dominant performance in their October rematch at UFC 320. Vowing to return at full health after competing below his optimal condition previously, Pereira swiftly finished Ankalaev to regain the title. He has subsequently called for an anticipated move to heavyweight, targeting a potential third title across as many divisions.

5. Khamzat Chimaev — Middleweight Champion
Record: 15-0 | Previous ranking: No. 4
Despite periods of inactivity due to injury, illness, and various setbacks, Chimaev demonstrated his formidable capabilities when fully healthy at UFC 319 in August. He conclusively addressed any doubts regarding his five-round cardio by thoroughly dominating Dricus du Plessis on the ground, securing a shutout decision. While the tactical approach against du Plessis was labeled as conservative by some observers, the performance conveyed a clear message to the 185-pound division that Chimaev is prepared to inaugurate a new era of dominance.

6. Alexandre Pantoja — Flyweight Champion
Record: 31-5 | Previous ranking: No. 5
The 35-year-old Brazilian recorded his fourth title defense in June at UFC 317, submitting Kai Kara-France with relative ease. This victory propelled Pantoja to the top of the flyweight division’s historical records for most victories, finishes, and submissions. A highly anticipated showdown against the surging contender Joshua Van is scheduled next, as Pantoja continues to expand his legacy during what is described as a late-career resurgence.

7. Alexander Volkanovski — Featherweight Champion
Record: 27-4 | Previous ranking: No. 6
A 14-month layoff proved beneficial for the 36-year-old Volkanovski, who rebounded from two knockout losses against top-tier fighters. In April, at UFC 314, he skillfully outpointed Diego Lopes to recapture the vacant 145-pound title. Now a two-time champion, Volkanovski demonstrated that experience, fight IQ, and precise timing can still overcome youth and raw power, even in the latter stages of a career. A title defense against the undefeated Lerone Murphy is anticipated in December.

8. Jack Della Maddalena — Welterweight Champion
Record: 24-4, 1 NC | Previous ranking: No. 9
Despite a 14-month layoff and a series of closely contested victories in his preceding three fights, the Australian slugger ascended to the top of the 170-pound division with a hard-fought decision win over Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 in May. Della Maddalena showcased elite boxing and footwork, but it was his robust takedown defense that played a pivotal role in his conquest of a highly competitive division. His inaugural title defense is scheduled against Islam Makhachev in November at UFC 322.

9. Dricus du Plessis — Middleweight
Record: 22-3 | Previous ranking: No. 10
While du Plessis’s initial nine appearances in the Octagon were impressive, he proved largely outmatched in yielding his middleweight title to the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 in August. Du Plessis offered few answers to Chimaev’s dominant ground game, appearing overwhelmed despite exhibiting toughness and a consistent willingness to engage. A late rally in the closing seconds, aided by two referee stand-ups, was insufficient to mitigate a largely one-sided dismantling.

10. Tom Aspinall – Heavyweight Champion
Record: 15-3 | Previous ranking: NR
The 32-year-old British slugger, known for his exceptionally fast hands within the heavyweight division, finally achieved undisputed champion status after Jon Jones vacated his title and briefly announced his retirement earlier this year. Aspinall, who previously defended his interim title last summer, is set to defend the undisputed belt against Cyril Gane in October at UFC 321. The protracted delays and injury-related absences from Jones had notably stalled Aspinall’s career progression; he is now positioned to capitalize on lost time.

Dropped out: Magomed Ankalaev
Just missed: Ankalaev, Umar Nurmagomedov, Shavkat Rakhkmonov, Lerone Murphy, Reinier de Ridder

Women’s Pound-for-Pound Rankings Update

1. Valentina Shevchenko — Flyweight Champion
Record: 24-4-1 | Previous ranking: No. 1
The future Hall of Famer further cemented her legacy at UFC 315 in May, where she outpointed the highly regarded Manon Fiorot over five rounds. Shevchenko, 37, extended her UFC record for female title wins to 10 and achieved her eighth title defense by making critical championship adjustments when necessary. A "superfight" against strawweight queen Zhang Weili is slated for UFC 322 in New York.

2. Zhang Weili — Strawweight Champion
Record: 25-3 | Previous ranking: No. 2
Zhang’s UFC record against opponents not named Rose Namajunas improved to 10-0 after she dominated the undefeated Tatiana Suarez over five rounds at UFC 312 in February. At 35, Zhang continues to refine her overall game and plans to test her expanded skill set by moving up to 125 pounds in pursuit of becoming a two-division champion. Zhang is scheduled to challenge Valentina Shevchenko for the flyweight title at UFC 322 in November.

3. Kayla Harrison — Bantamweight Champion
Record: 19-1 | Previous ranking: No. 3
Despite enduring a challenging weight cut to meet the 135-pound championship limit, Harrison delivered a dominant performance against two-time champion Julianna Pena at UFC 316 in June, capturing the women’s bantamweight title. A highly anticipated showdown against former champion and ex-teammate Amanda Nunes appears to be next, as MMA’s female greatest of all time (G.O.A.T.) reportedly returns to the sport at 37. Harrison’s inspirational narrative of perseverance provided a significant moment in the sport.

4. Manon Fiorot — Flyweight
Record: 12-2 | Previous ranking: No. 4
The 35-year-old French native’s impressive 7-0 start to her UFC career concluded with a close decision loss to champion Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 315 in June. Fiorot, who recovered from a challenging first round during which her nose was visibly impacted, relied on her physical size and clinch work against Shevchenko in what developed into a close tactical battle. She is scheduled to rebound in October when she faces the streaking Jasmine Jasudavicius in Vancouver.

5. Natalia Silva — Flyweight
Record: 19-5-1 | Previous ranking: No. 5
Unbeaten in seven appearances in the Octagon, Silva secured a decision victory in May at UFC 315 against former champion Alexa Grasso, positioning the 28-year-old Brazilian for a potential title shot. The dynamic striker has compiled 13 consecutive wins overall since a 2017 loss on the regional circuit to Marina Rodriguez. Her speed, feints, and accurate strikes continue to present a formidable challenge for any opponent in the flyweight division.

Dropped out: None
Just missed: Virna Jandiroba, Erin Blanchfield, Julianna Pena, Alexa Grasso, Tatiana Suarez