Pereira Defeats Ankalaev by TKO to Reclaim Light Heavyweight Title at UFC 320

Alex Pereira’s remarkable victory at UFC 320 in Las Vegas has reignited interest in the light heavyweight division, as he defeated Magomed Ankalaev with a stunning technical knockout (TKO) in the very first round. This victory is particularly significant as it not only marks Pereira’s second reign as the undisputed light heavyweight champion but also serves as redemption for his previous loss to Ankalaev seven months earlier.

The decisive moment came swiftly, with Pereira delivering a powerful right hook that sent Ankalaev crashing to the mat just 80 seconds into the bout, hosted at the T-Mobile Arena on Saturday. Following the knockdown, Pereira unleashed a flurry of punches and elbows, prompting the referee to halt the match, thereby emphasizing Pereira’s striking prowess and ability to seize pivotal opportunities within the octagon.

Ankalaev, who entered this match with an impressive record and had not previously been knocked out in any UFC bout, saw his 14-fight unbeaten streak come to a surprising end. This dramatic fight outcome reverberated throughout the division, particularly given that pre-fight predictions heavily favored Ankalaev, who attracted 89 percent of betting support according to BetMGM.

In their prior encounter at UFC 313, Ankalaev had bested Pereira, who cited injury issues that had limited his performance. With this victory, Pereira reestablishes himself as a formidable force in the light heavyweight ranks, breathing new life into a division that seeks innovative competition and exciting matchups. The potential for a trilogy bout between Pereira and Prochazka looms large, especially after Prochazka’s equally impressive win by knockout in another match on the same card.

This event also showcased a thrilling co-main event, where Merab Dvalishvili defended his bantamweight title against Cory Sandhagen, winning by unanimous decision. The judges awarded Dvalishvili scores of 49-45 and 49-46, highlighting his tactical dominance throughout the five-round contest.

With these significant outcomes, the UFC continues to deliver high-stakes drama and athletic excellence, ensuring that fans remain engaged and excited for upcoming challenges within the sport. As Brazilian fans celebrate Pereira’s triumph, the narrative is one of resilience, skill, and the thrilling unpredictability of mixed martial arts.

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