Former light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira once again reigns supreme. On Saturday night at UFC 320, Pereira wasted no time avenging his March loss to Magomed Ankalaev, finishing the Russian challenger in just 80 seconds to reclaim the title he briefly lost at UFC 313.
Under the bright lights of the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the Brazilian powerhouse reminded the world why he’s one of the most electrifying fighters in mixed martial arts today. With his trademark stoicism and devastating precision, Pereira stormed across the Octagon from the opening bell, landing heavy shots that sent Ankalaev reeling and forced referee Herb Dean to stop the fight after a brutal barrage of punches and elbows.
Afterward, Pereira—speaking through an interpreter—showed characteristic humility and restraint. “Vengeance is never a good thing,” he said, belt once again around his waist. “It’s kind of a poison sometimes.” Yet, for fans, his lightning-fast redemption was nothing short of mesmerizing.
A Statement Win That Cemented His Legacy
At 38 years old, Pereira fought with the urgency of a man who knows time is precious. His relentless pressure left Ankalaev little room to breathe. When the Russian attempted a desperate takedown to recover, Pereira sprawled, gained top position, and unleashed more than two dozen unanswered strikes before Dean intervened.
The knockout sent shockwaves through the MMA world. Fellow fighters and fans alike were stunned by the emphatic display. Former champion Jiří Procházka, who has shared the cage with Pereira twice, was reportedly emotional backstage after witnessing the performance. Rising contender Carlos Ulberg also paid tribute to the champion’s skill and composure, calling him “the most dangerous man in the division.”
Still, Pereira’s post-fight comments revealed more than just pride. Before leaving the Octagon, he asked the audience for a moment of silence to honor Arthur Jones, the brother of MMA legend Jon Jones, who had passed away earlier in the week. It was a rare moment of grace amid the chaos—a reminder that behind the knockout artist lies a man of deep respect and empathy.
Pereira also addressed what went wrong in his March defeat to Ankalaev. “I told everyone I wasn’t in good condition last time—nobody believed it,” he said. “You saw it.” Indeed, his performance left little room for doubt.
Dvalishvili Extends Bantamweight Reign with Relentless Domination
In the co-main event, Merab Dvalishvili once again lived up to his nickname, “The Machine.” The Georgian champion successfully defended his men’s bantamweight title for the third time, earning a dominant unanimous decision victory over Cory Sandhagen.
For five grueling rounds, Dvalishvili showcased his signature pace and wrestling prowess, securing an astonishing 20 takedowns and attempting nearly 400 strikes. By the final bell, Sandhagen looked exhausted, while Dvalishvili appeared almost unfazed—a testament to his unmatched conditioning.
Dvalishvili’s consistency and relentlessness have now placed him firmly in the pound-for-pound conversation. Some analysts, including ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, argue that he may currently be the best fighter in the world, second only to lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.
“This man is unstoppable,” Okamoto noted. “He’s fought four title fights in 13 months, and none have even seemed to challenge him. He’s smiling his way through elite competition. It’s incredible.”
With Islam Makhachev preparing to move up in weight next month to challenge for the welterweight title, the debate for the world’s top fighter has become more heated than ever. But one thing is certain—Dvalishvili’s machine-like dominance shows no signs of slowing down.
Procházka’s Future Still Bright Despite Setbacks
Elsewhere on the card, Jiří Procházka delivered a vintage performance with a spectacular knockout over Khalil Rountree Jr., proving that his warrior spirit remains intact despite recent defeats.
Procházka’s back-to-back losses to Pereira earlier this year had some questioning whether the former champion’s time at the top had passed. However, context matters: his first loss came after a 17-month layoff due to a serious shoulder injury, and the second occurred on short notice when he stepped up to headline UFC 303 after Conor McGregor withdrew with an injury.
Now fully healthy and back in rhythm, Procházka demonstrated that he’s still a legitimate threat in the light heavyweight division. While he cannot claim the top spot until he beats Pereira—or faces Ankalaev—his knockout of Rountree served as a reminder that few fighters bring his level of chaos and excitement to the Octagon.
A Night of Redemption and Reinvention
From Pereira’s thunderous comeback to Dvalishvili’s tireless domination and Procházka’s fiery resurgence, UFC 320 delivered everything fans could hope for: speed, skill, and sheer spectacle.
Pereira’s win not only reestablished him as the light heavyweight king, but also added another dramatic chapter to one of the most remarkable careers in MMA. Whether he continues to defend his belt or pursues a superfight next, one thing is certain—at 38, Poatan still has plenty of fire left.
And as the roar of the Vegas crowd faded into the night, fans were left with the sense that they had just witnessed history—again.