Pereira Reclaims Light Heavyweight Gold, Dvalishvili Dominates at Record-Setting UFC 320 in Las Vegas

The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas witnessed a night of high drama and significant title changes at UFC 320 on October 5, 2025, as Alex Pereira spectacularly recaptured the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship from Magomed Ankalaev, while Merab Dvalishvili successfully defended his Bantamweight title with a record-breaking performance against Cory Sandhagen. The pay-per-view event delivered several memorable moments, solidifying its place as a pivotal card in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s calendar.

In the highly anticipated main event, Alex Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) exacted swift revenge against Magomed Ankalaev (19-2-1 MMA, 14-2-1 UFC), regaining the Light Heavyweight title he had lost to the Dagestani fighter six months prior. The rematch was framed by Pereira’s assertion that he had been compromised by illness in their first encounter at UFC 314, a fight Ankalaev won via a contentious split decision following a largely tactical affair. Pereira, a former two-division GLORY Kickboxing champion and a rapid ascender in the UFC, had promised to prove his true capabilities, and he delivered on that pledge with devastating efficiency. From the opening bell, Pereira demonstrated an aggressive intent, closing the distance quickly. A powerful left hook, characteristic of Pereira’s renowned striking arsenal, landed flush on Ankalaev just moments into the contest. The blow visibly stunned the champion, who stumbled back towards the cage. Pereira capitalized immediately, unleashing a flurry of follow-up strikes, including a brutal right hand that sent Ankalaev to the canvas. Referee Herb Dean intervened at the 1:20 mark of the first round, awarding Pereira the TKO victory and the Light Heavyweight strap. The stoppage, just 80 seconds into the fight, marked the fastest finish in a UFC Light Heavyweight title bout since 2013 and underscored Pereira’s unique ability to end fights in an instant, regardless of previous outcomes or opponents’ perceived durability. The victory moves Pereira to 2-1 against Ankalaev across their combat sports careers, with their initial kickboxing bout also going in Pereira’s favor.

The co-main event featured Merab Dvalishvili (22-4 MMA, 15-2 UFC) defending his Bantamweight Championship against the challenge of Cory Sandhagen (18-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC). Dvalishvili, known as "The Machine" for his relentless pace and unparalleled wrestling, extended his remarkable win streak to 13 consecutive victories. The bout began with a tentative first round, where Sandhagen, a master of unorthodox striking and movement, managed to land several significant strikes, momentarily stifling Dvalishvili’s customary forward pressure. However, Dvalishvili adjusted swiftly, initiating his suffocating grappling attack in the second round. Over the subsequent four rounds, the Georgian powerhouse executed a record-setting performance, securing an astonishing 20 takedowns over the 25-minute contest. This surpassed the previous UFC record for takedowns in a single fight, held by Demetrious Johnson and Khabib Nurmagomedov, who each recorded 21 (though Johnson’s was in a five-round fight and Nurmagomedov’s in three). Dvalishvili’s relentless chain wrestling and control time left Sandhagen with few answers, neutralizing the challenger’s dynamic stand-up game. The judges’ scorecards reflected Dvalishvili’s dominance, with all three officials scoring the bout 50-45 in favor of the champion. Furthermore, Dvalishvili’s career total takedowns now stand at 117, extending his lead as the most prolific takedown artist in UFC history. His performance solidified his claim as one of the most dominant champions in the Bantamweight division, a weight class renowned for its depth and talent.

Earlier on the main card, former Light Heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka (31-4-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) delivered another of his trademark come-from-behind victories, stopping Khalil Rountree Jr. (13-7, 1 NC MMA, 7-7, 1 NC UFC) in the third round. Prochazka, known for his unconventional style and unwavering resilience, appeared to be trailing on the scorecards heading into the final round, having absorbed significant strikes from Rountree, a powerful and technically sound striker. Rountree had successfully exploited Prochazka’s open stance and willingness to engage in wild exchanges, landing crisp jabs and leg kicks throughout the first two rounds. However, as is often the case with "Denisa," Prochazka’s ability to absorb punishment and find an opening proved decisive. In the third round, Prochazka ramped up his aggression, pressing forward and initiating a chaotic exchange. He connected with a devastating right hand that sent Rountree staggering against the fence. Seizing the moment, Prochazka unleashed a barrage of unanswered blows, forcing referee Mark Smith to step in and halt the contest at 2:15 of Round 3. The victory underscored Prochazka’s position as a top contender in the light heavyweight division, reminding the field of his fight-altering power and unpredictable nature.

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The undercard also provided several compelling matchups and notable performances. In a highly anticipated Welterweight clash, Ian Garry (17-0 MMA, 10-0 UFC) maintained his undefeated record, securing a unanimous decision victory over veteran Geoff Neal (16-6 MMA, 8-5 UFC). Garry showcased improved defensive grappling to complement his sharp striking, navigating Neal’s aggressive approach and landing cleaner combinations throughout the three rounds. Judges scored the contest 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28, extending Garry’s impressive win streak and solidifying his ascent in the welterweight rankings.

In the Women’s Strawweight division, Tatiana Suarez (12-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) continued her dominant run, submitting Amanda Lemos (14-7-1 MMA, 8-5 UFC) with a rear-naked choke in the second round. Suarez, a former Olympic-level wrestler, quickly took the fight to the ground after an initial striking exchange, showcasing her elite grappling skills. She transitioned seamlessly to Lemos’s back, securing the submission at 3:45 of Round 2, further establishing herself as a top contender for the strawweight title.

A heavyweight bout saw the explosive rising contender Jailton Almeida (22-3 MMA, 9-0 UFC) make quick work of veteran Walt Harris (19-12, 1 NC MMA, 12-11, 1 NC UFC), winning by first-round TKO. Almeida demonstrated his grappling prowess early, taking Harris down within the first minute. From there, he unleashed ground and pound, forcing the referee to stop the fight at 2:03 of Round 1. Almeida’s rapid victory extended his impressive finish rate and continued his charge towards the upper echelon of the heavyweight division.

UFC 320 at the T-Mobile Arena, a staple venue for major combat sports events, drew a capacity crowd, with the official attendance reported at 18,756, generating a live gate exceeding $10 million. The atmosphere was electric throughout the night, with the crowd reacting vehemently to the swift main event finish and roaring its approval for Dvalishvili’s historic performance. The event marks a significant point in the light heavyweight and bantamweight divisions, setting the stage for future title defenses and contender matchups.

Attention now shifts to UFC 321, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi, which is expected to feature another lineup of high-stakes contests as the promotion continues its global expansion and delivers on its promise of world-class mixed martial arts action.