UFC 320: Ankalaev vs Pereira
UFC 320 Preview: Ankalaev vs Pereira 2 Fires Up Las Vegas
The MMA world is focused on UFC 320: Ankalaev vs Pereira 2, coming October 4, 2025, at the T‑Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This high-stakes light heavyweight rematch headlines a stacked fight card, promising fireworks all night long.
What’s at Stake — The Rematch You Can’t Miss
In the main event, reigning champion Magomed Ankalaev defends his light heavyweight title against former two‑division champ Alex “Poatan” Pereira. Their first clash at UFC 313 ended in a unanimous decision win for Ankalaev, who took the belt from Pereira. Now Pereira returns with vengeance on his mind—hoping to reclaim his place atop the division.
In the co-main event, bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili defends against top contender Cory Sandhagen, another matchup fans are buzzing about.
Other marquee matchups on the UFC 320 fight card include:
- Jiri Prochazka vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. at light heavyweight
- Joe Pyfer vs. Abus Magomedov in the middleweight division
- Josh Emmett vs. Youssef Zalal at featherweight
The prelims also feature key matchups like Edmen Shahbazyan vs André Muniz, Macy Chiasson vs Yana Santos, and more.
One fight to highlight from the undercard is Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Austin Vanderford in the welterweight division. Ramiz will be representing LOADDED that night, and we’re rooting for him to put on a show.
The Hype and the Drama
As the countdown to UFC 320 intensifies, tensions are rising between Pereira and Ankalaev. Pereira has accused the champion of avoiding him at the UFC Performance Institute, claiming that Ankalaev was “hiding” until he left. In turn, Ankalaev’s camp has mocked Pereira’s recent comments and called out his style.
Weight has also become a talking point. Pereira arrived in Las Vegas weighing in around 234 lbs, meaning he must cut close to 30 lbs to make the 205 limit for light heavyweight. The magnitude of that cut has drawn concern and intrigue alike from fans and analysts.
Meanwhile, Ankalaev, with his dominant run and elite wrestling skills, enters the fight unbeaten in his last 13 fights and as the betting favorite. Will Pereira’s power and aggression be enough to overcome that? That is the million‑dollar question.
Key Betting & Fan Angles
- Knockout potential: Pereira’s reputation as a knockout artist will make fans wonder if he can land that one brutal punch capable of flipping the script.
- Grappling yards: Ankalaev’s wrestling and top control could neutralize Pereira’s striking if he gets the fight to the mat.
- Card pacing: As always, fans will pay attention to how well the early fights set the tone for the main card.
