Ali Akbar RosadyLas Vegas is set to host UFC 320 on Saturday night, a stacked card featuring two championship bouts. The highly anticipated main event will see a light heavyweight title rematch between current champion Magomed Ankalaev and former titleholder Alex Pereira. The co-main event features Merab Dvalishvili defending his bantamweight strap against top contender Cory Sandhagen.
The main event rematch between Ankalaev and Pereira carries significant weight, following their initial encounter at UFC 313 in March. In that contest, Ankalaev secured a unanimous decision victory, effectively dethroning Pereira. The Dagestani champion’s strategy revolved around out-striking Pereira and utilizing the clinch to neutralize the Brazilian’s renowned striking power. Heading into UFC 320, reports indicate heightened animosity between the two, with both fighters expressing a desire to deliver a decisive performance.
CBS Sports experts have weighed in on the upcoming pay-per-view portion of the card, offering their predictions and insights. The panel includes Brent Brookhouse (Combat sports writer), Brian Campbell (Combat sports writer), Shakiel Mahjouri (writer), Michael Mormile (producer), and Brandon Wise (senior editor).
Main Event: Magomed Ankalaev (c) vs. Alex Pereira 2 (Light Heavyweight Championship)
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The first fight between Ankalaev and Pereira was a tactical affair. Despite Ankalaev’s wrestling background, his primary success in their initial meeting came from his ability to control the clinch exchanges and land more significant strikes. Pereira, known for his formidable kickboxing pedigree and knockout power, managed to stuff all 12 of Ankalaev’s takedown attempts in their first bout, a testament to his defensive grappling improvements. However, Ankalaev’s consistent pressure and technical striking proved sufficient to earn him the nod from the judges.
Brian Campbell of CBS Sports suggests that Alex Pereira, if fully healthy, possesses greater potential for improvement in the rematch. Campbell highlights rumors of Pereira battling a broken hand and norovirus during their first encounter, factors that could have impacted his performance. Despite these alleged setbacks, Pereira’s perfect takedown defense was notable. Campbell argues that while Ankalaev deserved the decision for his pressure and technical advantage, his historical passivity in high-stakes moments contrasts with Pereira’s dangerous, clutch-performing style. With a full training camp and an apparently healed body, Campbell predicts Pereira will leverage his status as the 2024 Fighter of the Year and the UFC’s biggest star to deliver a redemptive performance after a potentially slow start.
Conversely, Brent Brookhouse emphasizes Ankalaev’s strategic use of the clinch. While acknowledging Ankalaev’s relatively low takedown average (0.8 takedowns per 15 minutes with 22% accuracy), Brookhouse points out that Ankalaev’s grappling was instrumental in controlling Pereira in the clinch, effectively stifling his offense. Brookhouse anticipates that Pereira will make adjustments and likely push the pace more aggressively, potentially creating opportunities for Ankalaev’s counter-offense. Ultimately, Brookhouse believes Ankalaev’s ability to "clinch and bully" Pereira will be sufficient for another victory.
Shakiel Mahjouri echoes this sentiment, noting that Ankalaev’s wrestling credentials were "overblown" prior to their first fight, yet he still secured the title. Mahjouri contends that Ankalaev’s well-rounded skill set, combining point striking with effective clinch work, allowed him to nullify Pereira’s game. He foresees Ankalaev utilizing his diverse toolkit to secure another decision win against "Poatan," as Pereira often struggles when he cannot dictate the pace and terms of engagement.
The betting odds for the main event currently position Ankalaev as a slight favorite, reflecting the closely contested nature of their first bout and the differing perspectives on potential adjustments for the rematch. The fight’s outcome could significantly shape the landscape of the light heavyweight division, with the winner cementing their claim as the division’s top fighter.
Co-Main Event: Merab Dvalishvili (c) vs. Cory Sandhagen (Bantamweight Championship)
The co-main event features a bantamweight title clash between champion Merab Dvalishvili and challenger Cory Sandhagen. Dvalishvili enters the bout on an impressive 13-fight winning streak, a run that has propelled him to the bantamweight title and a top-five position in the pound-for-pound rankings. Known for his relentless takedown artistry and unparalleled cardio, Dvalishvili has recently made headlines by claiming he intends to knock out Sandhagen in what would be his third title defense. Such a victory, particularly by knockout, would undoubtedly elevate his status within the division.
Brian Campbell acknowledges Sandhagen as the most challenging stylistic matchup for Dvalishvili during his dominant run. Sandhagen possesses a strong gas tank himself and an unpredictable arsenal of leaping strikes, which could potentially serve as "Kryptonite" to Dvalishvili’s high-volume takedown attempts. Despite these perceived advantages for Sandhagen, Dvalishvili remains a significant betting favorite (reportedly 4-to-1). Campbell attributes this to Dvalishvili’s unwavering work rate and subtle improvements in his striking, making him a threat to any opponent. Furthermore, Dvalishvili carries immense momentum, while Sandhagen, despite his talent and consistent contender status, has historically struggled to secure victory in championship opportunities.
Brent Brookhouse describes fighting Dvalishvili as a "worst nightmare" for opponents due to his relentless forward pressure, constant takedown threats, and opportunistic striking. Brookhouse believes Sandhagen, while a capable fighter with a "striker’s chance," lacks the cardio or defensive wrestling prowess to withstand Dvalishvili’s sustained assault.
Shakiel Mahjouri expresses skepticism regarding both fighters’ pre-fight claims—Dvalishvili’s intention to strike for a knockout and Sandhagen’s confidence in his wrestling defense. Mahjouri posits that Dvalishvili’s combination of endurance and wrestling is a "lethal combination" that will ultimately break Sandhagen’s rhythm, preventing him from establishing a lead with his dynamic striking.
Brandon Wise, however, offers a dissenting perspective, hinting at a potential upset. Wise suggests that if Dvalishvili struggles to secure or maintain takedowns, and if he truly commits to a striking battle as he claimed, Sandhagen’s "slick boxing style" could exploit openings in Dvalishvili’s defense. Wise recalls Dvalishvili’s vulnerability in a 2021 fight against Marlon Moraes, where he was nearly knocked out in the first round before rallying for a finish after Moraes gassed. This historical precedent, Wise implies, suggests Dvalishvili is not impervious to striking damage, potentially favoring Sandhagen in a stand-up exchange.
Featured Bout: Jiri Prochazka vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. (Light Heavyweight)
A pivotal light heavyweight clash between Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr. is also featured on the main card. Both fighters are coming off victories against former champion Jamahal Hill and have recently experienced title fight losses to Alex Pereira. This matchup between two top-five light heavyweights could position the winner as a strong contender for the next title shot, alongside Carlos Ulberg, who is currently riding a nine-fight winning streak.
Brian Campbell highlights the striking similarities between the two explosive knockout artists. Prochazka, known for his unorthodox and aggressive style, stands taller and possesses a longer reach. Campbell anticipates a fight that might begin cautiously before inevitably escalating into a "shootout," a scenario where the unpredictable Prochazka often thrives. Campbell believes the 32-year-old former champion has "at least one more big run in him" and will emerge victorious in what promises to be an exciting encounter.
Brent Brookhouse succinctly captures the inherent unpredictability of a Prochazka fight. Brookhouse notes Prochazka’s tendency to absorb significant strikes while continuously pursuing knockout blows. While this approach proved ineffective against Pereira, who is described as a "machine built to eliminate fighters who are not defensively responsible," Rountree possesses the power to capitalize on Prochazka’s defensive lapses. However, Brookhouse questions whether this will ultimately matter, given Prochazka’s history of overcoming adversity.
Shakiel Mahjouri reinforces the notion that Prochazka’s fights are "impossible to predict." While acknowledging Prochazka as potentially the most dangerous offensive fighter in any division, Mahjouri points to his defensive vulnerabilities and "striking obsession" as potential weaknesses. Rountree, with his powerful striking and superior technical skills, could indeed secure an early finish. Nevertheless, Mahjouri ultimately leans towards Prochazka, citing his "knack for overcoming obstacles not named Pereira" and predicting he will land a fight-ending shot against Rountree.
Additional Main Card Bouts
The main card also features featherweight action with Azat Zalal facing Josh Emmett, and a middleweight contest between Bo Nickal and Shamil Magomedov. The CBS Sports panel’s picks for these bouts are:
- Zalal vs. Emmett: Campbell, Brookhouse, Mahjouri, and Mormile picked Zalal, while Wise favored Emmett.
- Pyfer vs. Magomedov: Campbell, Brookhouse, and Wise picked Pyfer, with Mahjouri and Mormile selecting Magomedov.
UFC 320 promises a night of high-stakes mixed martial arts, with championship implications across multiple divisions. The outcomes of these pivotal matchups will undoubtedly reshape the title picture and set the stage for future narratives within the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
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