Ankalaev, Pereira run it back

Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira will run it back for another battle, headlining UFC 320 with their rematch for the Light Heavyweight Championship at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on the morning of 5 October 2025.

Ankalaev (20-1-1, 1 NC) defeated Pereria (12-3) via unanimous decision at UFC 313 back in March, ending the latter’s 18-month reign as king of the division.

Pereira was strangely underwhelming in that match, with doubts over his fitness and health, and Ankalaev is hopeful that his Brazilian opponent returns to his best so that any doubt over his worth as champion of the light heavyweight division is removed.

“I don't want to hear talk like last time about him not being ready or something not being done," Ankalaev said. "I want him to be in great shape so that after our fight, he has no excuses."

The Russian added, "I think the rematch will be much easier than the first fight because statistics always show that fighting me in a rematch is very dangerous.

“I think we'll prove again that it's not a good idea to face me in a rematch. I'll do whatever it takes to dominate. If I need to wrestle, I'll wrestle. If I need to strike, I'll strike. I don’t think we'll have problems anywhere."

The co-main event sees Cory Sandhagen (18-5) get a shot at the Bantamweight Championship, facing belt-holder Merab Dvalishvili (20-4). ‘The Machine’ is looking to make a third successful defence of the title, and is even hopeful of a fourth before the year 2025 is out.

“I don’t overlook Cory Sandhagen. It’s going to be a tough fight. But, God willing, I’m going to do my best to win this fight, and if I win, I want a quick turnaround and I want to fight in December,” Dvalishvili explained.

“I will ask the UFC for a favour to give me another fight in December or even November. I don’t care. Petr Yan is the clear contender right now. He deserves it. I don’t want to make him wait too long. I can take a quick turnaround and fight him, and after we will see who will be the next contender.”

The rest of the main card features Jiri Prochazka v Khalil Rountree Jr in the light heavyweight division; a featherweight fight pits Josh Emmett against Youssef Zalal; and Abusupiyan Magomedov takes on Joe Pyfer in the middleweight opener.

UFC 320 – Main card

- Main event: Light Heavyweight Championship: Magomed Ankalaev b Alex Pereira

- Co-main event: Bantamweight Championship: Merab Dvalishvili v Cory Sandhagen

- Light heavyweight: Jiri Prochazka v Khalil Rountree Jr

- Featherweight: Josh Emmett v Youssef Zalal

- Middleweight: Abusupiyan Magomedov v Joe Pyfer