Alex Pereira recaptured the light heavyweight title Saturday at UFC 320 in Las Vegas. He did so in style with a second-round TKO win against Magomed Ankalaev. The battle ended dramatically just one minute, 20 seconds into the opening round. This win was a huge redemption for Pereira, who had lost to Ankalaev in their first meeting at UFC 313 back in March.
Ahead of the bout, Ankalaev was favored by the largest margin of any fighter on the card among bettors, attracting 89 percent of wagers at BetMGM. This presupposed bias was unfortunate, for it shoved Pereira into the role of the clear underdog. As it turned out, the fight unfolded very differently than most people had expected. Only 51 seconds into the contest, Pereira landed a right hook from hell that sent Ankalaev crashing to the mat. The match referee was forced to jump in and halt the brawl like a technical knockout.
This unintended victory avenges Pereira’s earlier loss. For Usman, it further cements his legacy as he becomes a two-time UFC light heavyweight champion. His win illustrates the unpredictable nature of mixed martial arts, especially within a division where Ankalaev had been seen as a dominant force. Prior to this fight, Ankalaev was on an incredible 14 fight unbeaten streak. This incredible streak stretches all the way back to his promotional debut in March of 2018.
Ankalaev’s loss sends shockwaves through the division. It’d be the first knockout he ever received in his UFC career until this fight. His loss leaves the immediate future of the light heavyweight division further unclarity, leaving his legacy among contemporaries in grave doubt. While Pereira’s record now stands at an impressive 13-3, including 10-2 in the UFC, Ankalaev’s record adjusts to 20-2-1 with a UFC record of 12-2-1.
Last weekend’s UFC 320 further realigned the light heavyweight title landscape. This rich and deep card is sure to deliver with intriguing new matchups and familiar rivalries as warriors clash for dominance within this stout weight class. This victory gives Pereira a chance at redemption. It reestablishes him as a dominant, dangerous, competitive force in the sport.
