UFC 320: Ankalaev and Pereira Set for Light Heavyweight Title Rematch in Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NV – The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to the T-Mobile Arena on Saturday for UFC 320: Ankalaev vs. Pereira 2, where reigning light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev will defend his title against top contender Alex Pereira in a highly anticipated rematch. The main card, featuring five pivotal bouts, is scheduled to commence at 10 p.m. ET, following preliminary action. This championship clash marks the second encounter between Ankalaev and Pereira this year, with their initial contest at UFC 313 in March concluding with a unanimous decision victory for Ankalaev, securing him the coveted light heavyweight strap.

Magomed Ankalaev, 33, enters this championship defense riding a three-bout winning streak, following a no-contest result against Johnny Walker in October 2023. His professional mixed martial arts record stands at an impressive 20-1-1 (one no-contest) since turning professional in January 2014, where he debuted with a majority decision win over Vasily Babich. Ankalaev’s sole professional defeat occurred early in his UFC tenure on March 17, 2018, when he succumbed to a submission against Paul Craig at UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Volkov. Since that lone setback, Ankalaev has established himself as a dominant force within the light heavyweight division. He holds the distinction of being the first Russian UFC light heavyweight champion and has garnered four Performance of the Night bonuses during his UFC career. Furthermore, Ankalaev is tied with Carlos Ulberg for the second-longest win streak in UFC light heavyweight division history, with nine consecutive victories, contributing to the fifth-longest unbeaten streak in UFC history at 14 fights. Prior to his UFC signing, he was a three-time World MMA Association champion, showcasing a robust foundation in combat sports. His fighting style is characterized by a blend of powerful striking, strong wrestling, and exceptional control, making him a formidable opponent across all facets of MMA.

Alex Pereira, 38, stands as a formidable challenger and a former two-division champion within the UFC, holding titles at both middleweight and light heavyweight. He is currently ranked 10th in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings. Pereira’s journey in the UFC began in November 2021, following a professional record of 3-1 since his debut in October 2015. His overall MMA record is 12-3, with 10 of his victories coming by way of knockout, underscoring his renowned striking prowess. Before his transition to MMA, Pereira forged an illustrious kickboxing career, compiling a 33-7 record with 21 knockout wins, which included multiple world titles in GLORY Kickboxing. His ability to deliver fight-ending blows with precision and power is a constant threat to any opponent. Pereira’s aggressive, pressure-heavy striking style has captivated audiences and earned him five Performance of the Night bonuses and one Fight of the Night award in the UFC. The first encounter with Ankalaev saw Pereira navigating the champion’s grappling and control, ultimately falling short on the scorecards but showcasing his resilience and power throughout the five rounds. The rematch offers Pereira an opportunity to reclaim the light heavyweight title he previously held and add another significant chapter to his storied career.

In the latest UFC 320: Ankalaev vs. Pereira odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, Magomed Ankalaev is listed as the favorite at -238, meaning a bet of $238 would be required to yield a $100 profit. Alex Pereira is positioned as the underdog at +195, indicating that a $100 wager on Pereira would return a profit of $195 if he were to win. These odds reflect Ankalaev’s dominant performance in their first meeting and his consistent track record.

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The co-main event of UFC 320 features another high-stakes bantamweight championship bout, as Merab Dvalishvili, currently the -395 favorite, takes on Cory Sandhagen, who enters as the +310 underdog. Dvalishvili, known for his relentless pace and suffocating wrestling, has established himself as one of the most dominant contenders in the bantamweight division, riding an impressive win streak. Sandhagen, a dynamic and unorthodox striker with excellent footwork, presents a significant challenge to Dvalishvili’s grappling-heavy approach. The clash promises to be a strategic battle with championship implications.

Beyond the two title fights, the UFC 320 main card features several other compelling matchups. Former light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka (-205) will face the heavy-hitting Khalil Rountree (+170) in a contest with significant ramifications for the 205-pound rankings. Prochazka, known for his unpredictable and aggressive striking, will look to rebound and reassert his claim in the division. Rountree, a powerful striker with a penchant for knockouts, aims to continue his ascent. Further down the card, Josh Emmett (+360), a veteran featherweight known for his knockout power, is slated to meet the surging Youseff Zalal (-470). Additionally, Abus Magomedov (+195) will square off against Joe Pyfer (-238) in a middleweight clash featuring two aggressive finishers.

For those seeking expert analysis and betting insights, SportsLine expert Daniel Vithlani, also known as Danny Brasco, has provided comprehensive MMA predictions and betting advice for UFC 320. Vithlani has consistently demonstrated his analytical acumen since his debut in January 2023, beginning with a flawless 5-0 record at UFC 283. His track record includes being up over $1,500 on his UFC main-card sports betting picks. Notable successes for Vithlani include accurately calling the upset victory of Sean O’Malley (+210) over then-champion Aljamain Sterling (-250) at UFC 292, as part of a 4-1 main card performance. His predictive capabilities were further highlighted at UFC 299, where he selected underdogs Dustin Poirier (+190) against Benoit Saint Denis (-230) and Michael Page (+110) against Kevin Holland (-130), both of whom secured victories.

Vithlani has meticulously analyzed every aspect of the Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira rematch and the broader UFC 320 card to formulate his top betting picks and best bets. Among his revealed selections, Vithlani has endorsed Punahale Soriano (-395) to defeat Nikolay Veretennikov (+310) in a welterweight matchup on the early preliminary card. Providing detailed rationale for his pick, Vithlani stated, "Soriano has elevated his game since joining Xtreme Couture MMA gym. 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. 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."

New users interested in sports betting can explore various promotional offers from leading platforms. DraftKings Sportsbook offers a special promotion for new users, providing $200 in bonus bets instantly if their initial bet wins. Similarly, Underdog Fantasy presents a promo code for new users, granting $100 in site credits when playing $5 with the code CBSSPORTS2 in select states. FanDuel also has an offer for new users, providing $300 in bonus bets instantly if their initial $5 bet wins. These offers are subject to terms and conditions and vary by jurisdiction.

Vithlani’s comprehensive analysis extends to predicting the outcome of the Ankalaev vs. Pereira main event, including the exact method of victory. He also provides insights for other significant bouts on the UFC 320 card, including backing a fighter described as possessing "a deep bag of MMA tools" to achieve a significant victory. Further detailed picks and analysis from Daniel Vithlani are accessible through SportsLine for those seeking additional expert perspectives on the event.

UFC 320: Ankalaev vs. Pereira Main Fight Card Odds

(Odds subject to change)