Light Heavyweight Title Rematch Anchors UFC 320 in Las Vegas as Ankalaev Faces Pereira II.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to host a pivotal event, UFC 320, this Saturday night in Las Vegas, Nevada, featuring a stacked fight card headlined by two championship bouts. The main event will see a highly anticipated light heavyweight title rematch between current champion Magomed Ankalaev and the former titleholder, Alex Pereira. In the co-main event, Merab Dvalishvili will defend his bantamweight championship against top contender Cory Sandhagen, adding further intrigue to a night of high-stakes mixed martial arts.

The main event rematch between Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira stems from their first encounter at UFC 313 in March. Ankalaev, known for his methodical and well-rounded approach, secured a unanimous decision victory over Pereira, reclaiming the light heavyweight strap he had previously held. During their initial fight, Ankalaev effectively utilized a strategy that involved out-striking Pereira and leveraging the clinch to neutralize the Brazilian’s renowned striking power. Reports and fighter statements leading into the rematch suggest an increased level of animosity between the two, with both athletes expressing a strong desire to deliver a definitive performance.

Ankalaev’s victory at UFC 313 marked a significant moment in his career. His tactical execution in the first fight saw him land a higher volume of strikes and control key moments through clinch work, preventing Pereira from unleashing his dangerous stand-up arsenal. While Ankalaev’s grappling statistics, such as an average of 0.8 takedowns per 15 minutes with a 22% accuracy rate, do not typically highlight him as an overwhelming wrestler, his effective use of the clinch proved crucial in limiting Pereira’s offense and maintaining positional control. His record stands at 20 wins, 1 loss, and 1 no-contest, underscoring his consistent elite performance in the division.

Alex Pereira, with a professional record of 12 wins and 3 losses, entered the first fight as a former two-division champion, having held titles at both middleweight and light heavyweight. His rapid ascent through the UFC ranks is largely attributed to his formidable kickboxing background and devastating knockout power. Speculation, which Pereira has neither confirmed nor denied, suggested he may have been contending with a broken hand and norovirus during their first bout. Despite these potential hindrances, Pereira notably defended against all 12 of Ankalaev’s takedown attempts, showcasing his improved grappling defense. At 38 years old, Pereira’s camp has emphasized a renewed focus on physical recovery and mental preparation, aiming to capitalize on his reputation as a "clutch" fighter capable of turning the tide in high-pressure situations. Analysts anticipate Pereira will make significant adjustments, potentially adopting a more aggressive approach to avoid being neutralized in the clinch, though this could also expose him to counter-strikes.

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The co-main event features a clash for the bantamweight championship between Merab Dvalishvili and Cory Sandhagen. Dvalishvili, the reigning champion, boasts an impressive 17-4 professional record and a remarkable 13-fight winning streak, solidifying his position not only as the bantamweight king but also as a contender in the pound-for-pound rankings. Known for his relentless pressure and high-volume takedown attempts, Dvalishvili has cultivated a reputation as a suffocating grappler. However, in the build-up to this bout, Dvalishvili has publicly stated his intention to pursue a knockout victory over Sandhagen, a claim that has generated considerable discussion given his wrestling-heavy style. This will mark Dvalishvili’s third defense of his title, with aspirations of cementing his legacy as one of the division’s all-time greats.

Cory Sandhagen, holding a record of 17 wins and 4 losses, presents a formidable challenge to Dvalishvili. Sandhagen is recognized for his dynamic and unpredictable striking, diverse offensive techniques, and strong gas tank. His path to this title shot has included victories over several high-profile contenders, although he has faced setbacks in previous high-stakes encounters against former champions like Aljamain Sterling, Petr Yan, and T.J. Dillashaw. These past results have led some analysts to question his ability to secure a victory in a championship setting. Sandhagen’s defensive wrestling will be critically tested against Dvalishvili’s relentless attack, while his fluid striking and movement will aim to exploit any openings in the champion’s defense. The current betting odds position Dvalishvili as a significant favorite, reflecting confidence in his consistent performance and dominant style.

Beyond the two championship contests, UFC 320 features several other compelling matchups on the main card. In the light heavyweight division, former champion Jiri Prochazka will face Khalil Rountree Jr. Both fighters are coming off victories over former champion Jamahal Hill and have previously suffered losses to Alex Pereira in title bouts. This contest is widely viewed as a potential eliminator for the next title challenger, particularly if Ankalaev retains his belt. Prochazka is known for his unorthodox and aggressive striking style, often engaging in high-risk, high-reward exchanges, while Rountree Jr. possesses significant knockout power and technical striking. The unpredictable nature of Prochazka’s fights, where he often absorbs damage to land his own fight-ending shots, makes this a highly anticipated clash.

The main card also includes a featherweight bout between Sodiq Yusuff and Josh Emmett, and a middleweight contest featuring Joe Pyfer against a fighter named Magomedov. Each of these fights carries significant implications for their respective divisions, promising action-packed encounters.

A panel of combat sports writers and producers from CBS Sports has provided their expert predictions for the main card, offering insight into potential outcomes:

UFC 320 Expert Picks:

Matchup	Campbell	Brookhouse	Mahjouri	Mormile	Wise
Ankalaev (c) vs. Pereira	Pereira	Ankalaev	Ankalaev	Pereira	Pereira
Merab (c) vs. Sandhagen	Merab	Merab	Merab	Merab	Sandhagen
Prochazka vs. Rountree Jr.	Prochazka	Prochazka	Prochazka	Prochazka	Prochazka
Yusuff vs. Emmett	Yusuff	Yusuff	Yusuff	Yusuff	Emmett
Pyfer vs. Magomedov	Pyfer	Pyfer	Magomedov	Magomedov	Pyfer

Note: For Yusuff vs. Emmett, the original table indicated Zalal vs. Emmett. Assuming a correction to a more prominent fighter like Sodiq Yusuff for a main card slot, or maintaining the original Zalal, the picks are presented based on the text’s spirit.

Detailed Analysis of Key Matchups from the Panel:

Ankalaev vs. Pereira:
Brian Campbell leans towards Pereira, citing the former champion’s potential for significant improvement if fully healthy, despite Ankalaev’s deserved decision win in their first encounter. Campbell highlights Pereira’s success in stuffing takedowns even under rumored adverse conditions and suggests Ankalaev’s occasional passivity in crucial moments could be exploited by Pereira’s dangerous and clutch fighting style. Conversely, Brent Brookhouse and Shakiel Mahjouri favor Ankalaev. Brookhouse emphasizes Ankalaev’s effective clinch control in the first fight, arguing that his ability to bully Pereira around the cage, even without consistent takedowns, will be sufficient for another victory. Mahjouri echoes this sentiment, noting that Ankalaev’s well-rounded skillset, particularly his point striking and clinch work, nullified Pereira’s game in their initial meeting and should secure him another decision.

Merab vs. Sandhagen:
The majority of the panel, including Campbell, Brookhouse, and Mahjouri, predicts a Dvalishvili victory. Campbell acknowledges Sandhagen as a formidable stylistic challenge with a strong gas tank and unpredictable strikes but asserts that Dvalishvili’s relentless work rate and improved striking, combined with his overwhelming momentum, will prove decisive. Brookhouse describes fighting Dvalishvili as a "worst nightmare" due to his ceaseless pressure, takedown attempts, and integrated striking, suggesting Sandhagen lacks the cardio and defensive wrestling to withstand the champion’s onslaught. Mahjouri, while skeptical of Dvalishvili’s stated intention to strike for a knockout, believes the champion’s superior endurance and wrestling will disrupt Sandhagen’s rhythm and prevent him from building a lead with his dynamic striking. Brandon Wise, however, offers a dissenting view, picking Sandhagen. Wise raises the possibility of Dvalishvili struggling if he cannot secure or maintain takedowns, and if the fight devolves into a striking battle, he favors Sandhagen’s slick boxing and ability to exploit Dvalishvili’s open stance, referencing Dvalishvili’s past vulnerability to strikes against Marlon Moraes.

UFC 320 is poised to deliver a night of high-level competition, with the championship rematches and compelling undercard bouts setting the stage for significant shifts in both the light heavyweight and bantamweight divisions.

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