LAS VEGAS: Brazil’s Alex Pereira made a spectacular return to the top by reclaiming the UFC light heavyweight championship with a stunning knockout of Magomed Ankalaev just 1 minute and 20 seconds into the first round at UFC 320 on Saturday night.
The 38-year-old veteran avenged his March defeat to Ankalaev at UFC 313 — a fight he admitted he entered at only “40 percent” fitness — delivering one of the most decisive finishes of his career. From the opening bell, Pereira (13-3-0) controlled the center of the octagon, overwhelming Ankalaev (21-2-1) with precise strikes before landing a textbook left hook that sent the Russian crashing to the canvas.
Referee Marc Goddard quickly stepped in to stop the fight, confirming Pereira’s dominant return as the 205-pound champion.
“This one was personal,” Pereira said after the fight. “I wasn’t myself the last time we fought. Tonight, you saw the real Alex Pereira.”
The victory not only restored Pereira’s championship status but also revitalized interest in a light heavyweight division that had grown stale under Ankalaev’s reign. Pereira’s aggressive style and knockout power once again stood out, setting the stage for a potential trilogy bout against former champion Jiri Prochazka, who also delivered an impressive win earlier in the event.
In the co-main event, Merab Dvalishvili (21-4-0) successfully defended his bantamweight title with a dominant unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-46) over American challenger Cory Sandhagen (18-6-0). After a tight first round, Dvalishvili took control in the second and nearly secured a stoppage in the fourth with a deep D’arce choke before Sandhagen managed to survive until the final bell.
The night also featured a thrilling comeback from Prochazka (32-5-1), who knocked out Khalil Rountree Jr. (15-7-0) with a devastating flurry in the last moments of the third round. Prochazka had been mostly defensive throughout the fight but finished strong, leaving Rountree unconscious with two minutes remaining.
On the main card, Youssef Zalal (18-5-1) stunned the crowd by submitting veteran Josh Emmett (19-6) with a first-round armbar at 1:38, marking Zalal’s fifth consecutive win and silencing Emmett’s supporters.
In the opening bout, Joe Pyfer (15-3-0) secured a second-round submission victory over Abus Magomedov (28-7-1), finishing him with a rear-naked choke after stunning him with a combination of punches.
With Pereira back on top and several contenders waiting in the wings, the light heavyweight division looks revitalized. UFC 320 will likely be remembered as the night “Poatan” reminded the world why he remains one of the most feared strikers in mixed martial arts.