"Alex Pereira was on the cusp of becoming the UFC's biggest star earlier this year, circling a super-fight with then heavyweight champ Jon Jones, when he ran into Magomed Ankalaev for the first time. Ankalaev, who had taken part in one of the most disappointing UFC title fights in memory a few years back, against Jan Blachowicz, proven to be kryptonite to "Poatan," earning a solid unanimous decision at UFC 313."
"If he was overlooked by casual fans coming into that fight, that won't be the case as the pair's rematch arrives at UFC 320 this Saturday. Ankalaev in the younger man, on a win streak, with the grappling chops to give Pereira fits. Plus, there's the history of champs struggling to win their belts back in immediate rematches (even Valentina Shevchenko took two tries, after losing her belt to Alexa Grasso, and fighting to a draw in their rematch, before winning reclaiming their title)."
"UFC 320 is far from a one trick pony mind you. In addition to Ankalaev vs. Pereira 2 for the light heavyweight title, bantamweight champ Merab Dvalishvili returns, looking to defend his title for the third time in 2025. This time up, it's Cory Sandhagen looking to dethrone the dominant Georgian fighter."
Magomed Ankalaev defeated Alex Pereira by unanimous decision at UFC 313, derailing Pereira's momentum toward a potential superfight with Jon Jones. The two fighters meet again at UFC 320 with Ankalaev as champion and Pereira seeking to reclaim the title. Ankalaev enters as the younger fighter on a win streak with strong grappling that troubled Pereira previously. UFC 320 also features bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili defending his title against Cory Sandhagen, plus other notable bouts including Jiří Procházka vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. and several preliminary card matchups. Weigh-ins occur Friday at 12PM ET (9AM PT).
Read at Cageside Press
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