Introduction
Alex Pereira Reclaims Title with First-Round Stunner at UFC 320 Live Event in Las Vegas Las Vegas – Alex Pereira has sensationally reclaimed the UFC light-heavyweight championship, stopping Magomed Ankalaev with a dramatic technical knockout just 80 seconds into the first round of their highly anticipated rematch at UFC 320. In front of a sold-out T-Mobile Arena, the Brazilian challenger delivered a stunningly decisive performance to avenge his defeat to Ankalaev earlier this year. The event also saw bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili successfully defend his title with a dominant display of wrestling against Cory Sandhagen. From the opening bell, Pereira adopted an aggressive strategy that differed markedly from their first encounter in March, where Ankalaev had secured the title via a unanimous decision. Pressuring the champion from the outset, Pereira stalked Ankalaev towards the fence. A powerful right hand connected with Ankalaev's temple, visibly staggering the Russian fighter. As Ankalaev reflexively shot for a takedown, Pereira capitalised on the opening, unleashing a barrage of heavy elbows and punches on the ground that forced referee Herb Dean to halt the contest at just 1 minute and 20 seconds of the opening round.
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The victory marks a spectacular return to the top for Pereira, a former two-division champion. Speaking through a translator in his post-fight interview, the newly crowned champion addressed the narrative surrounding his previous loss. "Vengeance is never a good thing; it's kind of a poison sometimes," Pereira stated. "I told everyone I was not in good condition last time. Everyone saw it tonight. " This emphatic win brings an abrupt end to Ankalaev's 14-fight unbeaten streak and his short-lived reign as champion. The result sends ripples through the 205-pound division, immediately opening up several possibilities for Pereira's next title defence.
One potential challenger is former champion Jiri Prochazka, who also secured a victory on the night with a third-round knockout of Khalil Rountree Jr. in a thrilling, back-and-forth contest. However, Pereira already holds two knockout victories over the Czech contender, which may lead the promotion to look elsewhere. Rising contender Carlos Ulberg is another name being discussed by analysts as a fresh matchup for the champion. In the evening's co-main event, bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili continued to build his case as one of the sport's most dominant figures. He retained his title against Cory Sandhagen via a lopsided unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-46). "The Machine" put on a relentless wrestling clinic, setting a new UFC record for the most takedowns in a single title fight with 20 successful attempts.
Despite a strong start from Sandhagen in the first round, Dvalishvili's suffocating pressure and ground control proved overwhelming for the remainder of the fight, extending his remarkable winning streak to 13. After the fight, Dvalishvili expressed his pride in his performance. "Yes Joe, I am a machine. I keep getting better, I train hard," he told the UFC commentary team, cementing his status as the undisputed king of the 135-pound division. With Pereira's explosive return to form and Dvalishvili's continued dominance, UFC 320 delivered two definitive championship outcomes. The light-heavyweight division has been dramatically reshaped, with an active and powerful champion once again on the throne, while the bantamweight division remains firmly in the grasp of its Georgian champion. The UFC now looks ahead to a compelling series of matchups in two of its most competitive weight classes.
Conclusion
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