UFC 320: Pereira Reclaims Light Heavyweight Gold, Dvalishvili Extends Dominance in Las Vegas Showdown

Las Vegas, NV – October 5, 2025 – The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas bore witness to a night of high-stakes mixed martial arts as UFC 320 concluded, leaving fans with a series of memorable performances. The event was headlined by a highly anticipated light heavyweight championship rematch between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev, where Pereira emphatically reclaimed his title. In the co-main event, Merab Dvalishvili successfully defended his bantamweight championship against Cory Sandhagen, extending his remarkable win streak. The card also featured several other significant bouts, contributing to a night of tactical prowess and explosive finishes.

Main Event: Pereira’s Redemption Arc Against Ankalaev

The headline bout of UFC 320 saw Alex Pereira (12-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) avenge his prior defeat to Magomed Ankalaev (19-2-1 MMA, 10-2-1 UFC), regaining the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. The rematch was framed by Pereira’s earlier assertions that he had not been at full capacity during their first encounter six months prior, a claim he aimed to validate on Saturday night. From the opening bell, Pereira showcased a focused aggression that contrasted with his previous performance against the Dagestani contender.

The fight began with a cautious exchange of strikes, both fighters measuring distance. However, Pereira quickly found his rhythm, unleashing a powerful left hook that connected flush, sending Ankalaev to the canvas. The knockdown occurred within the first minute of the round, signaling an immediate shift in momentum. Pereira, known for his predatory finishing instincts, capitalized swiftly, swarming Ankalaev with a barrage of ground-and-pound strikes. Referee Herb Dean intervened at 1:20 of the first round, declaring a TKO victory for Pereira. The rapid finish marked a definitive statement from Pereira, who now holds a professional record of 12 wins and 3 losses, with 9 of those victories coming under the UFC banner. Ankalaev, meanwhile, suffers his second professional defeat, both now at the hands of Pereira, halting his momentum following his title win at UFC 314. The victory re-establishes Pereira as a dominant force in the light heavyweight division and sets the stage for potential future defenses against a competitive roster of contenders.

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Co-Main Event: Dvalishvili’s Historic Dominance Over Sandhagen

In the co-main event, Merab Dvalishvili (19-4 MMA, 13-2 UFC) successfully defended his UFC Bantamweight Championship, defeating Cory Sandhagen (18-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC) by unanimous decision. Dvalishvili’s performance solidified his reputation as one of the most relentless grapplers in the sport, extending his unprecedented win streak to 13 consecutive victories.

The bout commenced with a tactical first round where Sandhagen, known for his diverse striking and movement, managed to land some significant blows and maintain distance. However, Dvalishvili quickly adapted, initiating his signature high-pressure wrestling attack in the subsequent rounds. The Georgian champion systematically broke down Sandhagen’s defense, securing an astounding 20 takedowns throughout the five-round contest. This performance not only showcased Dvalishvili’s superior conditioning and technique but also set a new UFC record for most takedowns in a single fight, surpassing his previous career total to an impressive 117 successful takedowns. Sandhagen, despite his efforts to scramble and defend, was ultimately suffocated by Dvalishvili’s relentless pressure and control, leading to a unanimous decision victory with scorecards reading 50-45, 50-45, and 49-46 in favor of the champion. Dvalishvili’s continued dominance in the bantamweight division firmly places him among the sport’s elite, with discussions now turning to potential super fights or new challengers for his coveted title.

Prochazka’s Signature Comeback Knockout

The main card also featured a dramatic light heavyweight clash between Jiri Prochazka (31-4-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) and Khalil Rountree Jr. (15-7 MMA, 9-7 UFC). Prochazka, known for his unconventional style and ability to absorb damage before delivering fight-ending blows, once again lived up to his reputation. The former champion found himself trailing on the judges’ scorecards through the first two rounds, struggling to find his range against Rountree Jr.’s precise striking.

However, in typical Prochazka fashion, he refused to be counted out. In the third round, Prochazka unleashed a powerful spinning back elbow that caught Rountree Jr. flush, followed by a flurry of punches that sent his opponent to the canvas. The referee promptly stepped in at 2:48 of the third round, awarding Prochazka a stunning knockout victory. This win reaffirms Prochazka’s status as a top contender in the light heavyweight division and highlights his unparalleled ability to turn the tide of a fight with a single, devastating strike, irrespective of the preceding rounds.

UFC 320 Fight Card: Full Results

The complete UFC 320 event delivered a compelling mix of finishes and decisions across various weight classes. Here is a comprehensive overview of the night’s outcomes:

Main Card

Light Heavyweight Championship: Alex Pereira def. Magomed Ankalaev via TKO (punches) at 1:20 of Round 1
Bantamweight Championship: Merab Dvalishvili def. Cory Sandhagen via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)
Light Heavyweight Bout: Jiri Prochazka def. Khalil Rountree Jr. via KO (spinning back elbow and punches) at 2:48 of Round 3
Welterweight Bout: Khamzat Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) def. Belal Muhammad (24-4 MMA, 15-4 UFC) via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Analysis: A tightly contested tactical battle, with Chimaev’s grappling narrowly edging out Muhammad’s consistent striking and cage control.
Lightweight Bout: Arman Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) def. Beneil Dariush (22-7-1 MMA, 16-7-1 UFC) via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Analysis: Tsarukyan displayed superior striking and grappling defense, neutralizing Dariush’s submission threats and maintaining pressure.

Preliminary Card

Featherweight Bout: Movsar Evloev (19-0 MMA, 10-0 UFC) def. Bryce Mitchell (17-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) via Submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:10 of Round 2
- Analysis: Evloev showcased dominant wrestling, eventually finding the submission against a fellow grappler.
Middleweight Bout: Bo Nickal (8-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) def. Gregory Rodrigues (14-7 MMA, 5-4 UFC) via TKO (punches) at 1:55 of Round 1
- Analysis: Nickal continued his impressive rise with another quick finish, overwhelming Rodrigues with striking.
Women’s Flyweight Bout: Manon Fiorot (14-1 MMA, 8-0 UFC) def. Maycee Barber (15-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Analysis: Fiorot’s precise striking and footwork proved too much for Barber’s aggressive pressure.
Heavyweight Bout: Sergei Pavlovich (19-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) def. Curtis Blaydes (18-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) via KO (punches) at 0:45 of Round 1
- Analysis: A brutal opening exchange saw Pavlovich land a devastating right hand, securing another swift knockout.
Lightweight Bout: Renato Moicano (20-6-1 MMA, 9-6 UFC) def. Drew Dober (28-14 MMA, 9-7 UFC) via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Analysis: A back-and-forth striking battle where Moicano’s volume and occasional grappling edges secured the decision.

Early Preliminary Card

Flyweight Bout: Muhammad Mokaev (13-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) def. Amir Albazi (18-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Analysis: Mokaev maintained his undefeated record with a dominant grappling display.
Women’s Bantamweight Bout: Karol Rosa (19-6 MMA, 8-3 UFC) def. Norma Dumont (12-4 MMA, 8-3 UFC) via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Analysis: A closely contested striking affair, with Rosa landing more significant strikes in the final round.
Welterweight Bout: Themba Gorimbo (13-4 MMA, 4-1 UFC) def. Mike Malott (11-3-1 MMA, 4-2 UFC) via TKO (ground and pound) at 3:15 of Round 2
- Analysis: Gorimbo secured a dominant finish after taking the fight to the ground.

UFC 320 Countdown: Pre-Fight Narrative

The build-up to UFC 320 was characterized by intense anticipation, particularly surrounding the main event rematch. Alex Pereira’s narrative of needing to prove his true capabilities after his initial loss to Magomed Ankalaev fueled much of the promotional material. Pre-fight press conferences saw both fighters maintain a respectful but determined demeanor, with Pereira expressing confidence in his preparation and Ankalaev vowing to retain his title.

For the co-main event, Merab Dvalishvili’s historic win streak and relentless fighting style were key talking points. Cory Sandhagen entered the bout with a reputation for dynamic striking and creative offense, posing a unique challenge to Dvalishvili’s grappling-heavy approach. The "Countdown" specials highlighted Dvalishvili’s rigorous training regimen and Sandhagen’s strategic adjustments to counter the Georgian’s pressure. Media days and open workouts showcased the physical readiness of the main card fighters, with Jiri Prochazka’s unorthodox training methods drawing particular attention ahead of his clash with Khalil Rountree Jr. Betting lines shifted throughout fight week, reflecting the perceived close nature of several key matchups, especially the championship contests.

UFC 320 now stands as a pivotal event in the 2025 calendar, reshaping the landscape of the light heavyweight and bantamweight divisions. Attention now shifts to UFC 321, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi, where new narratives and championship aspirations will undoubtedly emerge.