Ali Akbar RosadyLas Vegas, NV – The conclusion of UFC 320 on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at the T-Mobile Arena, has significantly reshaped the landscape of the light heavyweight and bantamweight divisions, setting the stage for several compelling future matchups. Alex Pereira re-established his dominance at 205 pounds, Merab Dvalishvili reinforced his claim as a top-tier bantamweight contender, and Jiri Prochazka delivered another highlight-reel finish, each performance laying crucial groundwork for their respective next steps within the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Light Heavyweight Division: A New Reign and Intriguing Possibilities
Alex Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) reclaimed the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship with a swift and decisive victory over Magomed Ankalaev (20-2-1 MMA, 14-2-1 UFC). Pereira, known for his striking prowess, stopped Ankalaev in just 80 seconds of the first round, avenging his previous loss to the Dagestani fighter in March 2024. That initial encounter saw Ankalaev capture the vacant title after a controversial split decision, a result that left many observers questioning the scoring. Pereira’s dominant performance at UFC 320, culminating in a knockout, effectively negated any immediate need for a rubber match, particularly given Ankalaev’s failure to register a successful title defense.
The immediate aftermath of Pereira’s victory introduced multiple layers of strategic consideration. UFC CEO Dana White, speaking at the post-fight press conference, disclosed that Pereira’s team had approached him earlier in the week regarding a potential move to the heavyweight division. This revelation adds a significant dimension to Pereira’s career trajectory, suggesting an ambition to potentially pursue a third divisional title, a feat achieved by very few in combat sports history. Pereira, who previously held titles in both the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions, has demonstrated a capacity to adapt his formidable striking game across weight classes.
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Following his victory, Pereira notably initiated a moment of silence for the late Arthur Jones, brother of former UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones. This gesture fueled speculation regarding a potential call-out of Jon Jones, or the winner of an anticipated heavyweight clash between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane. With a perceived lack of immediately compelling contenders in the heavyweight division, a temporary move for Pereira, potentially while still holding the 205-pound title, could offer a high-profile, lucrative "superfight" opportunity for the promotion. Such a scenario would mirror previous instances of champions attempting to hold titles concurrently in different divisions, presenting unique logistical challenges but immense commercial appeal.
Should Pereira opt to remain in the light heavyweight division for his next defense, an intriguing stylistic matchup presents itself in Carlos Ulberg (13-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC). Ulberg, a New Zealander with a professional record of 13 wins and 1 loss, has built a reputation as a dynamic striker with significant knockout power, similar to Pereira. His current eight-fight winning streak, including recent finishes over contenders like Volkan Oezdemir and Dominick Reyes, positions him as a legitimate threat. While Ulberg may not possess the same level of mainstream drawing power as Pereira, a championship bout between two elite strikers promises guaranteed fireworks and could serve as a co-main event for a major pay-per-view card. This pairing would offer a fresh challenge for Pereira against a rising contender known for his stand-up acumen.
The Prochazka-Ankalaev Collision
The outcome of the main event had significant implications for Jiri Prochazka (32-4-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC). Prochazka, who delivered a brutal comeback knockout of Khalil Rountree Jr. (13-7 MMA, 9-7 UFC) earlier on the UFC 320 card, would have likely preferred an Ankalaev victory over Pereira. Prochazka has faced Pereira twice, suffering two decisive losses – a TKO at UFC 295 and a submission at UFC 303 – making a third consecutive title shot against "Poatan" difficult to market convincingly. With Pereira firmly re-established as champion, Prochazka now finds himself in a position where he must consolidate his standing at the top of the division through other avenues.
A logical and highly anticipated matchup for Prochazka would be against Magomed Ankalaev. This pairing offers a fresh contest between two of the division’s top contenders. There is also a nascent backstory between the two fighters. During fight week for UFC 320, Prochazka publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with Ankalaev’s social media conduct, specifically referencing what he perceived as mocking remarks directed at him. Furthermore, Prochazka had previously claimed to have been offered a title shot against Ankalaev but reportedly declined the opportunity to complete his master’s degree. With both fighters now coming off significant performances at UFC 320 – Prochazka with a dramatic knockout and Ankalaev with a title loss – the timing appears opportune to book this high-stakes encounter. Ankalaev’s wrestling and striking defense against Prochazka’s unorthodox, aggressive style presents a fascinating clash of approaches. The winner would undoubtedly solidify their position as the next in line for a shot at the light heavyweight championship.
Khalil Rountree Jr.’s Path Forward
Khalil Rountree Jr. delivered a commendable performance in the initial two rounds of his bout against Jiri Prochazka, demonstrating improved striking technique and power. He landed significant blows and appeared to trouble the former champion. However, Prochazka’s renowned durability and offensive output ultimately proved too much, with Rountree succumbing to a third-round knockout. This loss, following a previous knockout defeat to Alex Pereira, marks a concerning trend of absorbing substantial damage for Rountree.
For Rountree, a strategic step back in competition may be prudent to recover and rebuild momentum. Two potential opponents emerge from an upcoming November bout: former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz (30-12-1 MMA, 13-9-1 UFC) and rising contender Bogdan Guskov (17-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC). Blachowicz, known for his "Polish Power" and robust grappling, offers Rountree a different stylistic challenge, potentially providing a break from the relentless KO artists he has faced recently. A victory over a former champion like Blachowicz would be significant for Rountree’s resume. Conversely, a fight against Guskov, another striker with a strong finishing rate, would play into Rountree’s strengths, offering a chance to showcase his striking against a potentially less experienced elite opponent. Rountree’s current ranking, likely to remain within the top 10-15 despite the loss, positions him appropriately for a matchup against either the winner of the Blachowicz-Guskov fight, providing a clear path to re-establish his standing in the division.
Bantamweight Division: Dvalishvili’s Dominance and New Contenders
Merab Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) further cemented his status as a formidable force in the bantamweight division with a decisive decision victory over Cory Sandhagen (18-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC). Dvalishvili’s relentless pressure, grappling, and cardio overwhelmed Sandhagen, securing a dominant win and extending his impressive winning streak to 11 consecutive fights. With this performance, Dvalishvili strengthens his already compelling case for being considered among the all-time best bantamweights, now needing to separate himself from the likes of Dominick Cruz and TJ Dillashaw through sustained championship reigns and notable defenses.
Dvalishvili has openly expressed his ambition to set a record for four title defenses within a 12-month period, demonstrating an aggressive pursuit of legacy. He has specifically targeted a rematch with former champion Petr Yan (17-6 MMA, 9-5 UFC) for a potential November 15 event. While booking a third title fight for UFC 322 might be challenging given existing card structures, a headlining spot at UFC 323, which currently lacks a marquee championship bout, could be a viable option. Yan, a former champion who had faced a challenging period with three consecutive losses, has since redeemed himself with three consecutive victories, re-establishing his contender status. His last fight was in July, providing ample time for recovery and preparation for a potential December 6 card. A rematch between Dvalishvili and Yan, given their previous encounter in March 2023 where Dvalishvili secured a unanimous decision victory, would offer Yan a chance for redemption and Dvalishvili an opportunity to further solidify his claim as the undisputed king of the bantamweights.
Cory Sandhagen and Sean O’Malley: An Overdue Collision
Cory Sandhagen, despite his loss to Merab Dvalishvili, remains one of the most dynamic and skilled strikers in the bantamweight division. For his next outing, a highly anticipated matchup against former champion Sean O’Malley (18-2-1 NC MMA, 10-2-1 NC UFC) appears to be the most logical and exciting option. Sandhagen and O’Malley have previously engaged in public discussions regarding a potential bantamweight title fight at a hypothetical "White House card" in the coming year. While a championship bout is now off the table for the immediate future, the stylistic matchup between these two elite strikers remains an enticing prospect.
Both Sandhagen and O’Malley are coming off losses to Dvalishvili, making a bounce-back fight crucial for their respective title aspirations. Sandhagen’s diverse striking and movement against O’Malley’s precise, power-hitting counter-striking promises a high-octane affair. The absence of a prior encounter between these two top-ranked bantamweights makes this an overdue booking. Whether it occurs at a unique venue like the White House or a standard UFC event, the fight holds significant implications for the divisional hierarchy. Alternatively, the winner of an upcoming bout between Marlon Vera (23-9-1 MMA, 15-9 UFC) and Aiemann Zahabi (11-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) could also present an appropriate challenge for either Sandhagen or O’Malley, depending on the promotion’s strategic matchmaking.
The fallout from UFC 320 has injected new narratives and strategic pathways into two of the UFC’s most competitive divisions. With champions and contenders alike looking to solidify their positions, the coming months promise a series of high-stakes matchups that will continue to shape the sport’s landscape.
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