From revenge brawls to meditative chess games, the fights on this card are more than supreme matchups—these are going to be battles for legacy! Let’s break down the three pivotal fights that define the night.
🔥 Main Event: Ankalaev vs. Pereira – A Champion’s Defense vs. A Legend’s Redemption
Magomed Ankalaev captured the light heavyweight title at UFC 313 with a dominant unanimous decision win over Alex Pereira. Pereira, known for his devastating knockout power and decorated kickboxing career, was expected to control the striking exchanges. Instead, Ankalaev outpointed him with disciplined pressure and clean counters, silencing critics and ending Pereira’s reign.
Now Pereira returns for revenge. He’s publicly stated he was only “40%” in their first fight, citing illness and injury. Training under Glover Teixeira, Pereira’s camp has focused on cardio and composure. With 7 knockouts in 9 UFC wins, he remains one of the most dangerous finishers in the sport. But this time, he’s not watching Ankalaev’s tape—he’s trusting his instincts.
Ankalaev, riding a 14-fight unbeaten streak, is unfazed. He’s denied Pereira’s accusations of “hiding” at the UFC Performance Institute and promises to “close the chapter” with a knockout. His combat sambo background gives him a unique blend of striking and control, and he’s already eyeing Carlos Ulberg as a future opponent.
This rematch isn’t just about the belt—it’s about legacy. If Pereira reclaims gold, he becomes a three-time UFC champion. If Ankalaev defends successfully, he solidifies his reign and potentially bypasses the Procházka–Rountree winner for his next defense.
🛡️ Co-Main Event: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cory Sandhagen – Relentless Pressure vs. Creative Precision
In the bantamweight division, Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili defends his title against Cory Sandhagen in a stylistic clash that could steal the show. Merab is on a 13-fight win streak and has already defended his belt twice this year, including a submission win over Sean O’Malley—the first of O’Malley’s career. He’s passed Georges St-Pierre for most takedowns in UFC history (97) and aims to hit triple digits Saturday night.
Sandhagen, a cerebral striker with elite movement, is coming off a win over Deiveson Figueiredo and has won four of his last five. He’s working with Trevor Wittman and Carrington Banks to sharpen his game and has hinted he may initiate wrestling exchanges himself. Known for flying knees, spinning kicks, and slick submissions, Sandhagen believes Merab’s style is predictable and vows not to be reactive.
Merab, however, has promised a knockout. He’s confident in his striking improvements and sees Sandhagen’s unpredictability as a puzzle he’s ready to solve. This fight could be a war of attrition or a tactical masterpiece—either way, it’s a must-watch.
⚔️ Contender Clash: Procházka vs. Rountree Jr. – Chaos vs. Power
While the title fights headline the card, the light heavyweight bout between Jiří Procházka and Khalil Rountree Jr. may determine the next challenger for the division’s crown. Both men previously lost to Pereira—Procházka by TKO at UFC 308, Rountree at UFC 307—and both rebounded with wins over Jamahal Hill.
Procházka is a whirlwind of violence. With 30 stoppages in 31 wins, his karate-based striking and unpredictable angles make him one of the most entertaining fighters in the sport. He’s focused on patience and precision this camp, integrating “deadly attacks” while shedding his iconic hairstyle, saying “I know who I am.”
Rountree, by contrast, is a calculated striker with devastating power. His leg kicks and left hand are fight-ending weapons, and he’s working with Muay Thai legends Jonathan Haggerty and Christian Knowles. He’s aiming to break the UFC light heavyweight knockdown record and wants fans to “expect nothing—except a surprise.”
This fight is a de facto title eliminator. UFC officials have hinted the winner will face whoever emerges victorious in Ankalaev vs. Pereira. For Procházka, it’s a chance to reclaim the belt he vacated due to injury. For Rountree, it’s redemption and validation.
⚡ Bonus Bouts: Emmett vs. Zalal & Magomedov vs. Pyfer
…but the excitement for UFC 320 doesn’t stop with the three headline grudge matches. Dana White has added two more high-stakes bouts to the main card: Josh Emmett vs. Youssef Zalal and Abus Magomedov vs. Joe Pyfer.
Emmett, the former interim title challenger, returns looking to snap a three-fight skid and prove he still belongs among the featherweight elite. Zalal, riding a four-fight win streak in his second UFC stint, sees this as his breakout moment—a win over Emmett could launch him into the top 10.
In the middleweight clash, Magomedov enters with three straight wins and a reputation for rangy, kick-heavy striking. Pyfer, rebounding from a tough loss to Jack Hermansson, is eager to reassert himself as a rising force. Both men are known finishers, and a win here could earn either a ranked opponent next.
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💥 Final Bell: A Night Fans Won’t Forget
As fight night approaches, the buzz is electric. This isn’t just another stacked card—it’s a collision of redemption arcs, title defenses, and breakout moments. Whether you’re here for Pereira’s vengeance, Merab’s machine-like dominance, or the chaos of Procházka vs. Rountree, UFC 320 feels like the kind of night we’ll be talking about for years. Every matchup has stakes, every fighter has something to prove, and every fan knows: this is the one you don’t miss. Let’s go!