UFC 320: Ankalaev vs. Pereira 2 – Title Rematch and Major Fights

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October 4, 2025

T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas hosts one of the year's most significant cards on October 4, 2025, with UFC 320 offering two title fights and several bouts with potential to create future challengers. The main event features an anticipated light heavyweight title rematch between champion Magomed Ankalaev and former belt holder Alex Pereira, complemented by a bantamweight title fight between Merab Dvalishvili and Cory Sandhagen.

Main Event: Ankalaev vs. Pereira 2

Magomed Ankalaev (champion) vs. Alex Pereira (challenger)

Ankalaev's first title defense brings an immediate rematch against the man he defeated at UFC 313 by unanimous decision. The Dagestani champion remains undefeated since his UFC debut in March 2018 with an impressive 12-0-1 record and one no contest.

Ankalaev's dominance lies in his complete arsenal. His wrestling is elite-level, but he can effectively box at distance and his southpaw kick-boxing causes opponents problems. In their first meeting, Ankalaev neutralized Pereira's striking power through a combination of takedowns, clinch work, and smart movement.

Alex Pereira arrives as one of the most decorated strikers in MMA history. The former UFC middleweight champion and two-time Glory kickboxing champion (middleweight and light heavyweight) captured the light heavyweight belt in 2024 and successfully defended it three times against Hill, Prochazka, and Rountree.

Pereira's devastating left hand is legendary - his knockouts resemble explosions that can come from nowhere. The problem is his wrestling defense and ability to avoid takedowns, which Ankalaev masterfully exploited in their first fight.

Keys to Victory:

• For Ankalaev: Repeat the successful strategy from the first fight - mix takedowns with striking combinations, avoid exchanges in the pocket
• For Pereira: Improve takedown defense, keep the fight standing and find that one precise strike that can change everything

Co-Main Event: Dvalishvili vs. Sandhagen

Merab Dvalishvili (champion) vs. Cory Sandhagen (challenger)

Merab Dvalishvili arrives as one of the best-conditioned fighters in the UFC. After his first two losses in the organization, he compiled an incredible winning streak that culminated in capturing the title from Sean O'Malley at UFC 306. Since then, he's successfully defended the title twice.

Dvalishvili's style is based on relentless pace, wrestler-heavy approach, and ability to maintain high intensity for all 25 minutes. His cardio is among the best in the UFC and he can exhaust opponents with his pressure and volume of attacks.

Cory Sandhagen presents a stylistically interesting challenge. He's won four of his last five fights, most recently finishing Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Des Moines in May. Sandhagen is a technical striking specialist with excellent knees and kicks, long reach, and creative combinations.

Keys to Victory:

• For Dvalishvili: Utilize his wrestling, set a relentless pace, neutralize Sandhagen's reach through takedowns
• For Sandhagen: Maintain distance, use his reach and technical striking advantage, stop the takedowns

Potential Eliminator: Prochazka vs. Rountree

Jiri Prochazka vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.

This fight has all the ingredients for a potential Fight of the Night. Prochazka will serve as backup for the main title fight, adding significance to this bout.

The former UFC and RIZIN champion, 32-year-old Prochazka, reached a new level in his last fight and looks sharper than ever. His unorthodox style, unpredictable angles of attack, and willingness to take risks make him one of the division's most entertaining fighters.

35-year-old Rountree has won six of his last seven fights and established himself as one of the best pure strikers in light heavyweight. His muay thai is high-level with devastating low kicks and technically clean combinations.

This is a dream style clash - the chaotic and unpredictable Prochazka against the technical striker Rountree. Both have weak defense and prefer offense over defense, promising a bloody battle.

Prediction: This fight likely won't go to decision. Expect high-tempo striking exchanges until one of them falls.

Other Main Card Fights

Josh Emmett vs. Youssef Zalal (featherweight)

• Emmett is a top 10 veteran in featherweight with deadly power punching
• Zalal is a rapidly rising fighter with a complete skillset

Abus Magomedov vs. Joe Pyfer (middleweight)

• Magomedov brings Dagestani wrestling and hard strikes
• Pyfer is a young talent with finishing abilities

Event Information

• Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
• Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Broadcast: Exclusively on ESPN pay-per-view
• Main Card Start: 10:00 PM ET (4:00 AM CEST)
• Prelims Start: 6:00 PM ET (12:00 AM CEST)

Interesting Facts

The event was originally planned for September 13 in Guadalajara, Mexico as the third annual "Noche UFC," but due to arena construction delays was moved to Las Vegas in October. Treston Vines replaced Osman Diaz in a bout against Atebe Abeg Gautier, while Daniel Santos and Yoo Joo-sang were moved from an earlier UFC Fight Night card.

Conclusion

UFC 320 promises to be one of 2025's most stacked events. The main questions of the evening are clear: Can Ankalaev repeat his dominance over Pereira, or will the Brazilian striker find the recipe for success? Will Dvalishvili maintain his incredible streak against the technically advanced Sandhagen? And will Prochazka show he still belongs among the absolute elite of the light heavyweight division?

For MMA fans, this is mandatory viewing full of potential fights of the year, dramatic finishes, and perhaps a few surprises. On October 4, Las Vegas transforms into the center of combat sports.

Thanks to Stats Perform for the data

Photo: BetMGM

More information:24live.com