UFC 320: Ankalaev and Pereira Prepare for Highly Anticipated Light Heavyweight Championship Rematch in Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NV – For the second time this year, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight division’s premier athletes, champion Magomed Ankalaev and top-contender Alex Pereira, are set to clash for the coveted 205-pound championship at UFC 320: Ankalaev vs. Pereira 2. The event, scheduled for Saturday, will emanate from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with the main card commencing at 10 p.m. ET. Ankalaev secured his title reign earlier this year by defeating Pereira via unanimous decision at UFC 313 in March, setting the stage for this immediate and highly anticipated rematch. The Dagestani champion enters the contest on a three-bout winning streak, following a no-contest result against Johnny Walker in October 2023.

Current betting lines from DraftKings Sportsbook position Magomed Ankalaev as the favorite at -238 (requiring a $238 wager to win $100), reflecting his recent victory and sustained high-level performance. Alex Pereira, in contrast, is listed as the underdog at +195. The co-main event of UFC 320 features a pivotal bantamweight championship bout, with Merab Dvalishvili entering as a substantial -395 favorite against challenger Cory Sandhagen, who is priced at +310. Prospective bettors seeking expert analysis for UFC 320 are directed to SportsLine, where seasoned MMA analyst Daniel Vithlani provides comprehensive predictions and betting advice for all major matchups. New users to DraftKings can also leverage a promotional code offering $200 in bonus bets instantly upon a winning wager.

Daniel Vithlani, known within the MMA betting community as Danny Brasco, has established a reputation as a highly analytical and consistently profitable UFC bettor since his SportsLine debut in January 2023. His inaugural performance at UFC 283 saw him achieve a perfect 5-0 record, and he has since accumulated over $1,500 in winnings on his UFC main-card selections. Vithlani’s notable successes include accurately predicting Sean O’Malley’s upset victory (+210) over Aljamain Sterling (-250) at UFC 292, a card where he went 4-1 on main event picks. Furthermore, his UFC 299 predictions included successful underdog calls on Dustin Poirier (+190) against Benoit Saint Denis (-230) and Michael Page (+110) over Kevin Holland (-130), demonstrating a keen eye for value and upset potential in high-stakes bouts. His detailed analysis and betting strategy are available for subscribers across various sportsbooks and betting applications.

Having meticulously analyzed the Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira rematch from every conceivable angle, Vithlani has revealed his top betting picks and best bets for the card, which are accessible via SportsLine. Additionally, new users to the Underdog platform can utilize a specific promo code to receive $100 in site credits when playing $5 in select states.

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Ankalaev vs. Pereira: A Deep Dive into the Championship Rematch

Magomed Ankalaev, 33, boasts an impressive professional record of 20-1 with one draw and one no-contest. His career trajectory has been marked by dominance, securing victories in 12 of his last 14 outings. His sole professional defeat occurred on March 17, 2018, when he was submitted by Paul Craig at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Volkov, a loss that remarkably came in his promotional debut with the UFC. Ankalaev began his professional journey in January 2014, earning a majority decision over Vasily Babich. As the first Russian UFC light heavyweight champion, Ankalaev has cemented his legacy through consistent performance. He is a four-time recipient of the coveted Performance of the Night bonus and holds the distinction of being tied with Carlos Ulberg for the second-longest win streak in UFC light heavyweight division history, with nine consecutive victories. Furthermore, his 14-fight unbeaten streak ranks as the fifth-longest in UFC history. Prior to his UFC tenure, Ankalaev also claimed three World MMA Association championships. His fighting style is characterized by a disciplined blend of striking precision, formidable wrestling, and exceptional cage control, which proved instrumental in his initial victory over Pereira.

Alex Pereira, 38, enters this rematch as a formidable opponent, currently ranked 10th in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings. A former UFC light heavyweight champion with three successful title defenses, Pereira also previously held the UFC middleweight title, making him the first and only fighter to win championships in both divisions. His career highlights include five Performance of the Night bonuses and one Fight of the Night award, underscoring his reputation for exciting and impactful performances. Pereira’s professional MMA career commenced in October 2015 with a submission loss to Quemuel Ottoni at Jungle Fight 82. He subsequently rattled off three consecutive victories before joining the UFC roster in November 2021. His overall MMA record stands at 12-3, with an impressive 10 victories coming by way of knockout and two by decision, showcasing his devastating striking power. Beyond MMA, Pereira has a distinguished kickboxing career, compiling a 33-7 record with 21 knockout wins, which has provided him with a striking foundation that few in MMA can match. His aggressive, power-based striking approach, particularly his signature left hook and leg kicks, presents a constant threat to any opponent.

Expert Pick Highlight: Soriano vs. Veretennikov

Among Daniel Vithlani’s early predictions for UFC 320, he has selected Punahale Soriano (-395) to defeat Nikolay Veretennikov (+310) in a welterweight matchup featured on the early preliminary card. Vithlani’s rationale for this pick is rooted in Soriano’s recent improvements and stylistic advantages. "Soriano has elevated his game since joining Xtreme Couture MMA gym," Vithlani stated. "He is now on a two-fight win streak in which he controlled one opponent with his wrestling and put the other’s lights out with his knockout power. Soriano throws heavy hooks and overhand shots, which help him close the distance to get to his wrestling attack."

Vithlani further elaborated on Veretennikov’s potential vulnerabilities, particularly against a well-rounded fighter like Soriano. "Veretennikov may be the more technical striker, but I think he will be taken down multiple times. In his last fight against a 21-year-old prospect, Veretennikov won a split decision that I do not feel he deserved. Against the veteran wrestler Austin Vanderford, Veretennikov had no answers with his defensive grappling and was totally dominated on the mat. Soriano can look to exploit him on the ground." This pick is available for wagering at FanDuel, where new users can access a promotional code to receive $300 in bonus bets instantly if their initial $5 wager wins.

UFC 320 Main Fight Card and Odds

Beyond the headline acts, UFC 320 features a robust main card with several high-stakes encounters that could shape their respective divisions. Vithlani has developed strong picks not only for the Ankalaev vs. Pereira main event but also for other crucial bouts on the card. He is notably backing a fighter he describes as possessing "a deep bag of MMA tools" to achieve a significant victory, with his detailed analysis and selection available exclusively on SportsLine.

The full UFC 320: Ankalaev vs. Pereira main fight card, with odds subject to change, is as follows:

Magomed Ankalaev (-238) vs. Alex Pereira (+195) – UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
Merab Dvalishvili (-395) vs. Cory Sandhagen (+310) – UFC Bantamweight Championship
Jiri Prochazka (-205) vs. Khalil Rountree (+170) – Light Heavyweight Bout
Josh Emmett (+360) vs. Yousseff Zalal (-470) – Featherweight Bout
Abus Magomedov (+195) vs. Joe Pyfer (-238) – Middleweight Bout

SportsLine provides comprehensive detailed picks and analysis from Daniel Vithlani, including his prediction for the Ankalaev vs. Pereira outcome and precise fight-ending scenarios. His track record, demonstrating over $1,500 in winnings on UFC main-card picks, positions him as a key resource for those looking to inform their betting decisions for UFC 320.