Introduction
Alex Pereira Reclaims Light Heavyweight Title in Explosive UFC 320 Card Main Event By BBC Sport Staff
Las Vegas, Nevada Alex Pereira has secured a landmark victory and reclaimed the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship after defeating Magomed Ankalaev by technical knockout (TKO) in a dramatic first-round finish at the highly-anticipated ufc-320-card in Las Vegas. The Brazilian’s decisive performance on Saturday night brought an abrupt end to the card’s main event rematch, concluding one of the fastest title bouts in recent light heavyweight history and dramatically reshaping the landscape of the 205-pound division. The main event at the T-Mobile Arena was the culmination of a double-championship card, which also saw Merab Dvalishvili deliver a historically dominant defence of the Bantamweight title in the co-main event. Pereira, who entered the bout as a notable betting underdog, required just one minute and 20 seconds to avenge his previous unanimous decision loss to Ankalaev, seizing his second reign as champion in a division increasingly defined by rapid change. The contest began with immediate pressure from Pereira, known for his elite striking pedigree. Less than 90 seconds into the first round, the Brazilian landed a powerful overhand right that visibly staggered the champion. Ankalaev, who had won the belt from Pereira earlier in the year, was subsequently dropped, leading to a swift and brutal sequence of ground strikes that forced referee Herb Dean to intervene and stop the bout.
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The loss marks the end of Ankalaev’s 14-fight unbeaten run, a streak that had stretched back seven years. Speaking through a translator immediately after the victory, Pereira attributed his turnaround from the first fight—which he lost by decision—to improved health and focus. "I wasn't well that night, but tonight I was very well," the new champion stated, referencing his execution and preparation. This sentiment reflects the narrative surrounding the two men’s rivalry: a tactical, measured loss followed by a short, explosive statement of intent, leaving the pair’s head-to-head record tied at one win apiece. The victory not only cements Pereira’s status as one of the most prolific title contenders in the sport, but also revitalises the Light Heavyweight title picture. Prior to the main event, the card featured a high-stakes Light Heavyweight contest where former champion Jiří Procházka delivered a vicious third-round knockout of Khalil Rountree Jr. Procházka's win was immediately seen as a potential title eliminator, setting the stage for a likely trilogy bout with Pereira, whom the Czech fighter has already faced twice.
In the co-main event, Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili successfully defended his crown against challenger Cory Sandhagen. Unlike the main event's quick finish, this was a five-round grappling clinic. Dvalishvili, known as ‘The Machine’, secured a record-breaking 20 takedowns across the 25-minute contest, controlling Sandhagen for vast portions of the fight en route to a unanimous decision victory with scorecards reading 49-45, 49-45, and 49-46. His performance extended his division-leading winning streak to 14 fights, reinforcing his reputation as one of the sport's most dominant champions. Beyond the championship bouts, the ufc-320-card delivered several other notable finishes, continuing a trend of high-action events for the promotion. On the main card, featherweight Youssef Zalal stunned Josh Emmett with a first-round armbar submission, marking his fifth consecutive victory. Earlier, middleweight Joe Pyfer secured a second-round submission victory over Abus Magomedov via rear-naked choke, further advancing his profile within the middleweight ranks.
According to long-time mixed martial arts commentator, John Gooden, the card established definitive power dynamics for the remainder of the year. "The light heavyweight division is now firmly in a chaotic yet exciting state, revolving around the powerful rivalry between Pereira and Procházka," Gooden said. "Meanwhile, Dvalishvili’s performance sets a new benchmark for bantamweight dominance; his record-breaking grappling performance was less a fight and more a tactical dismantling. This event was crucial in solidifying who controls the narrative in 2025. " In summary, UFC 320 will be remembered as the night the Light Heavyweight Championship was both regained and redefined, and the Bantamweight title was defended with historic authority. Alex Pereira's swift revenge victory has immediately created demand for a trilogy fight with Procházka, while Dvalishvili's unbreakable pressure confirms his position at the apex of the Bantamweight class. Attention now turns to the future scheduling, where the promotion is expected to rapidly capitalise on the newfound momentum and the high-profile rivalries that the ufc-320-card has established.
Conclusion
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