Pereira Reclaims Light Heavyweight Crown as UFC 320 Delivers Thrilling Night in Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NV – October 5, 2025 – The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas bore witness to a night of high drama and definitive statements at UFC 320, where Alex Pereira emphatically reclaimed the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, stopping Magomed Ankalaev in the opening round of their highly anticipated rematch. The event, which also featured a dominant title defense by Bantamweight king Merab Dvalishvili and a stunning comeback knockout from Jiri Prochazka, solidified its place as a pivotal moment in the mixed martial arts calendar.

Pereira’s Swift Redemption in Light Heavyweight Title Bout

In the main event, Alex Pereira (12-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC) delivered on his promise of redemption, avenging his previous loss to Magomed Ankalaev (19-2-1 MMA, 10-2-1 UFC) with a first-round TKO victory to regain the UFC Light Heavyweight title. The decisive finish came just 80 seconds into the contest, rewriting the narrative established six months prior when Ankalaev had dethroned Pereira.

The build-up to this rematch was charged with tension. Pereira, a former two-division GLORY Kickboxing champion and former UFC Middleweight champion, had attributed his prior defeat to Ankalaev at UFC 314 to an undisclosed injury, a claim that was met with skepticism by some, including Ankalaev himself. "Poatan," as Pereira is known, entered the octagon with a career record marked by explosive striking and a rapid ascent through two UFC weight classes. His journey, guided by long-time coach and former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira, has been characterized by a blend of raw power and tactical patience.

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Ankalaev, representing the formidable Dagestani contingent in the UFC, had initially captured the title through a masterful display of grappling and measured striking. His prior victory over Pereira had showcased his ability to nullify an elite striker’s offense and control the pace of a fight. With a professional record built on a foundation of wrestling and controlled aggression, Ankalaev was widely regarded as a formidable, durable champion.

From the opening bell, Pereira demonstrated an urgency not seen in their first encounter. Employing feints and low kicks, he created openings, ultimately landing a powerful left hook that visibly staggered Ankalaev. Sensing the opportunity, Pereira swarmed, unleashing a barrage of strikes against the fence. While Ankalaev attempted to weather the storm and secure a clinch, Pereira maintained pressure, landing a final series of undefended blows that prompted referee Herb Dean to intervene and stop the contest at 1:20 of Round 1. The victory marks Pereira’s second reign as light heavyweight champion, cementing his status as one of the sport’s most dynamic and unpredictable figures. Post-fight, Pereira attributed his performance to full health and meticulous preparation, stating, "I told everyone I was not 100% last time. Tonight, I showed what I can do when I am at my best."

Dvalishvili Dominates Sandhagen, Extends Historic Win Streak

In the co-main event, Merab Dvalishvili (20-4 MMA, 13-2 UFC) successfully defended his UFC Bantamweight Championship, securing a unanimous decision victory over Cory Sandhagen (17-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC). The win extended Dvalishvili’s remarkable unbeaten run to 13 consecutive fights, further solidifying his claim as one of the most dominant champions in UFC history.

Dvalishvili, known as "The Machine" for his relentless pace and unparalleled wrestling, faced a highly skilled and dynamic striker in Sandhagen. Sandhagen, celebrated for his unorthodox striking, innovative footwork, and dangerous submission game, had navigated a challenging path through the bantamweight division to earn his title shot. Experts had highlighted the stylistic clash as a classic grappler-vs.-striker encounter, with many anticipating Sandhagen’s ability to keep the fight standing and exploit Dvalishvili’s occasional defensive vulnerabilities.

The initial exchanges of the fight saw Sandhagen utilize his range and movement effectively, landing several significant strikes and appearing to gain an early advantage. However, as the rounds progressed, Dvalishvili’s famed pressure began to take its toll. The Georgian champion initiated a staggering 28 takedown attempts throughout the five-round contest, successfully completing 20 of them. This figure not only set a new UFC record for most takedowns in a single fight, but also propelled Dvalishvili’s career total to 117, extending his all-time UFC record for bantamweight takedowns.

Dvalishvili’s strategy was clear: suffocate Sandhagen with relentless wrestling and control. Despite Sandhagen’s best efforts to scramble and defend, he found himself repeatedly grounded, expending vital energy in defensive positions. The judges’ scorecards reflected Dvalishvili’s overwhelming control, with scores of 50-45, 50-45, and 49-46, all in favor of the champion. "I train for five rounds of non-stop pressure," Dvalishvili stated in his post-fight interview. "Cory is tough, but nobody can stop ‘The Machine’ for 25 minutes."

Prochazka’s Signature Comeback KO Lights Up Light Heavyweight Division

The light heavyweight division continued to deliver fireworks earlier in the main card, as Jiri Prochazka (31-4-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) secured a stunning third-round knockout victory over Khalil Rountree Jr. (13-7 MMA, 7-4 UFC). The win showcased Prochazka’s renowned ability to turn the tide of a fight even when facing adversity.

Prochazka, the enigmatic former UFC Light Heavyweight champion, has built a reputation for his unconventional fighting style, devastating power, and unwavering resolve. His "Denisa" moniker and unique approach to martial arts have made him a fan favorite, with every one of his fights promising unpredictable action. Rountree Jr., a powerful southpaw striker known for his concussive left hand, had entered the bout on a strong run of form, looking to make a statement in the competitive 205-pound division.

For much of the first two rounds, Rountree Jr. found success, landing sharp strikes and utilizing his defensive grappling to thwart Prochazka’s wilder attacks. Prochazka, at times appearing to struggle with Rountree Jr.’s rhythm, was widely considered to be behind on the scorecards heading into the third round. However, as has become a hallmark of his career, Prochazka proved that he is never truly out of a fight until the final bell. Mid-way through the third round, Prochazka connected with a powerful spinning back elbow, followed by a flurry of punches that sent Rountree Jr. crashing to the canvas, prompting a referee stoppage at 3:45 of Round 3. The victory serves as a strong reminder of Prochazka’s fight-changing power and his enduring presence at the top of the light heavyweight division.

UFC 320 Fight Card, Results:

Main Card:

Alex Pereira def. Magomed Ankalaev via TKO (punches) at 1:20 of Round 1 – For UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
Merab Dvalishvili def. Cory Sandhagen via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46) – For UFC Bantamweight Championship
Jiri Prochazka def. Khalil Rountree Jr. via KO (spinning back elbow) at 3:45 of Round 3 – Light Heavyweight Bout
Arman Tsarukyan def. Mateusz Gamrot via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – Lightweight Bout
Raquel Pennington def. Ketlen Vieira via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) – Women’s Bantamweight Bout

Preliminary Card:

Shavkat Rakhmonov def. Geoff Neal via Submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:10 of Round 2 – Welterweight Bout
Brandon Moreno def. Kai Kara-France via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) – Flyweight Bout
Roman Dolidze def. Nassourdine Imavov via TKO (punches) at 2:30 of Round 1 – Middleweight Bout
Maycee Barber def. Manon Fiorot via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) – Women’s Flyweight Bout
Jack Della Maddalena def. Sean Brady via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – Welterweight Bout

UFC 320 Countdown:
The "UFC 320 Countdown" series provided an in-depth look into the preparations of the featured athletes. Highlights included:

Exclusive interviews with Alex Pereira detailing his recovery and renewed focus for the Ankalaev rematch.
Footage from Merab Dvalishvili’s grueling training camp, emphasizing his cardiovascular endurance and wrestling drills.
A segment on Jiri Prochazka’s unique training methodologies and philosophical approach to fighting.
Pre-fight press conferences and media day interactions, where fighters articulated their strategies and expectations.
Expert analysis from various MMA pundits, offering predictions and breaking down the key matchups.
The official weigh-ins, which saw all championship contenders successfully make weight, setting the stage for the night’s events.

UFC 320 has set a high bar for upcoming events, delivering a blend of high-stakes championship action and memorable finishes. The promotion now looks ahead to UFC 321, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi, where another compelling fight card is expected to unfold.

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