Pereira REGAINS the title: KO in 80 seconds to Ankalaev at UFC 320

Alex Pereira Recaptures UFC Light Heavyweight Title with a Dominant Victory

Las Vegas – Alex Pereira demonstrated his power by regaining the UFC light heavyweight championship, defeating Magomed Ankalaev in a rematch that made it clear that the Brazilian fighter was not in his best shape in their previous encounter. Pereira (14-3) regained the 205-pound title with a dominant performance, finishing Ankalaev (21-2-1) with ground strikes at 80 seconds of the first round. This victory marked a radical change from what happened seven months ago, when Pereira seemed hesitant in what was his first defeat at light heavyweight. This time, Pereira came out with determination from the start of the fight, gave no respite to Ankalaev and barely received any blows. It was the fastest finish in Pereira’s MMA career and the second fastest in the history of UFC light heavyweight title fights, surpassed only by Vitor Belfort’s victory in 49 seconds over Randy Couture in 2004. This was Ankalaev’s first knockout loss of his career, ending a 14-fight undefeated streak.

Revenge is never good; sometimes it’s like poison. I told everyone I wasn’t in good shape last time. Everyone saw it tonight.

Alex Pereira

During the UFC 320 fight week, Pereira’s team revealed that the fighter competed against Ankalaev in March with a fractured tibia. In addition, he was sick and had received antibiotics in the weeks leading up to the event. Due to these circumstances, Pereira estimated that he was only at 40% of his capacity that night. On Saturday, he proved to be at 100%. Pereira dominated in the center of the octagon, cornering Ankalaev with punches. He hurt him early with a right hand to the chin and finished the fight with elbows from the top position. Pereira outstruck Ankalaev in total strikes by a margin of 28-4. Immediately after the fight, Pereira stood over Ankalaev and made the same taunting gesture he used after knocking out Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 in April 2024. There was some animosity in the lead-up to UFC 320, as Pereira accused Ankalaev of hiding during fight week and lying about Pereira’s refusal of a rematch.

Pereira obtained the 12th knockout of his MMA career and became the third two-division champion in UFC history, sharing this achievement with Couture and Jon Jones. In his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan inside the T-Mobile Arena, Pereira asked for a moment of silence for Jones and his family. Jones’s older brother, Arthur, a former Super Bowl champion with the Baltimore Ravens, passed away this week at the age of 39. Jones and Pereira have previously expressed their interest in fighting each other. Jones announced his retirement earlier this year, but has re-entered the UFC’s drug testing pool anticipating his return to competition. Pereira has many options after regaining the title. He could face former champion Jiri Procházka, who knocked out Khalil Rountree Jr. in a performance that was named “Fight of the Night” on Saturday. Carlos Ulberg, who knocked out Dominick Reyes at UFC Fight Night last week in Perth, Australia, is also an option. He could also move up to heavyweight, where Pereira could face Jones or the winner of the heavyweight title fight between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 on October 25 in Abu Dhabi. In his post-fight press conference on Saturday night, UFC CEO Dana White was asked about that possibility and revealed that Pereira’s team had informed him that same day that they were interested in him fighting at heavyweight. White expressed some reluctance, saying the change would be difficult for a fighter who began his UFC career at 185 pounds. Pereira is already a champion in two divisions in the UFC, in light heavyweight and middleweight. There has never been a three-division champion in UFC history.

He was a middleweight, and is he going to move up two weight classes in the UFC? It’s not like moving up two weight classes in boxing. It’s a big jump. And it’s not that I have any reservations about it. He’s in a division where there are still some interesting fights.

Dana White, CEO of the UFC

Ankalaev, 33, will likely have a long road to get another championship opportunity. Ankalaev amassed a nine-fight winning streak before getting his first title shot in 2022, when he drew with Jan Blachowicz in a split draw in a performance that was later criticized by White. Ankalaev ultimately had to win two more fights in 2024 to get the opportunity against Pereira.