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Pereira Reclaims Light Heavyweight Crown in Rapid UFC 320 Rematch Las Vegas, Nevada – Brazilian fighter Alex Pereira secured a sensational first-round technical knockout (TKO) victory over Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320 in Las Vegas on Saturday night, reclaiming the undisputed Light Heavyweight Championship in dramatic fashion. The main event rematch lasted just 80 seconds, bringing a sudden and definitive conclusion to one of the most hotly anticipated rivalries in mixed martial arts. Pereira, known by the nickname 'Poatan' (Stone Hands), entered the contest as the challenger, aiming to avenge his loss to the Russian fighter seven months prior. That initial defeat had seen Ankalaev win a tightly contested decision, marking the end of Pereira’s first reign at 205 pounds. This time, however, the Brazilian left no room for judicial interpretation, immediately pressuring the defending champion and ending Ankalaev’s 14-fight unbeaten streak with a powerful combination of strikes. The decisive action began little over a minute into the first round. Pereira employed a strategy of immediate aggression, focusing on low kicks before closing the distance. A heavy overhand right landed cleanly on Ankalaev, visibly staggering the champion. As Ankalaev reacted by attempting a desperate takedown, Pereira stuffed the effort, leveraging his superior position to unleash a barrage of rapid punches and sharp elbows onto the grounded Russian. Referee Herb Dean was forced to intervene, stopping the contest at the 1:20 mark as Ankalaev was unable to intelligently defend himself, confirming Pereira as a two-time Light Heavyweight champion.
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The speed and violence of the TKO win represented a stark reversal of fortunes from their first meeting at UFC 313 in March, which had gone the full five-round distance. Following that loss, Pereira had asserted that he was not competing at full health, citing a fractured tibia and illness. His post-fight comments validated those earlier claims. Speaking through a translator in the octagon, Pereira stated: “I told everyone I was not in good condition last time. Everyone saw it tonight. ” The sentiment was one of clear vindication, suggesting the result was proof of his true fighting capabilities. Pereira's career trajectory has been uniquely rapid within the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He initially gained prominence as a kickboxing champion before transitioning to MMA, where he captured the Middleweight Championship in just his fourth UFC fight. His move up to the Light Heavyweight division saw him claim the title in record time, and his latest victory cements his legacy as one of the fastest and most consequential title-winners in the sport’s history. Analysts have consistently pointed to his devastating punching power and granite chin as key factors in his success, characteristics that were on full display in Las Vegas.
UFC President Dana White, reflecting on the spectacular main event, praised the performance. "He did everything he said he would do," White remarked, highlighting the contrast in commitment and execution between the two bouts. White added that the fight validated the high expectations placed on the main event, saying, "When you have a rematch like that, where there's been so much talk and history, for it to end that decisively is extraordinary. " Beyond the championship belt, the Brazilian used his moment in the spotlight to pay a touching tribute. Pereira called for a moment of silence during his post-fight interview in honour of Arthur Jones, the older brother of former UFC champion Jon Jones, who had passed away earlier in the week. The gesture was widely lauded across the fighting community, demonstrating a recognition of shared loss amidst the euphoria of victory. Looking forward, the Light Heavyweight division is now poised for a fresh phase of competition. Immediate speculation centres on who will be the first challenger to the newly crowned champion. Top contender Jiří Procházka, whom Pereira has already defeated twice, scored a brutal knockout victory earlier on the card, immediately reinserting his name into the title conversation. Another potential challenger is the rising Kiwi star, Carlos Ulberg, who has been rapidly ascending the rankings.
However, the outlook for Pereira's immediate future is complicated by an injury sustained during the bout. Post-fight reports, including comments from UFC officials, indicated that the champion suffered a broken foot early in the fight, potentially when landing one of his powerful low kicks. This injury introduces an element of uncertainty, likely forcing a mandatory recovery period before his next title defence can be scheduled. Additionally, White noted that Pereira's team had approached him about the possibility of the champion moving up another weight class to heavyweight, potentially seeking to become the first fighter in the modern era to win titles across three divisions. While White expressed caution about such a significant jump, the notion indicates the ambitious mindset of the two-time Light Heavyweight king. For now, the division waits for a medical update on the champion before the next chapter of the light heavyweight title saga can be written. The commentary team, including Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier, gave their immediate reactions to the stunning first-round TKO in Las Vegas Reaction to Alex Pereira Knocking Out Ankalaev at UFC 320.
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