LAS VEGAS — Alex Pereira reclaimed the UFC light heavyweight championship Saturday night with a first-round knockout victory over Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320 at T-Mobile Arena.
The event drew an announced attendance of just over 18,000, with a gate exceeding US$10 million.
Pereira ended the rematch at one minute 20 seconds of the opening round, landing a right hand that dropped Ankalaev before finishing with strikes on the ground. Referee Herb Dean stopped the fight, giving Pereira his second reign as light heavyweight champion.
After the bout, Pereira said he broke his foot during the finishing sequence but continued to press forward until the referee intervened. The win came six months after Pereira lost the title to Ankalaev by decision.
In the co-main event, bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili retained his title with a unanimous decision win over Cory Sandhagen. Dvalishvili controlled the fight with persistent takedowns and pressure, winning on all three judges’ scorecards.
Former light heavyweight champion Jiří Prochazka stopped Khalil Rountree Jr. in the third round of a back-and-forth bout that earned Fight of the Night honours. Prochazka rallied after a slow start to secure the finish with strikes midway through the final frame.
On the undercard, Edmen Shahbazyan recorded a knockout victory over Andre Muniz with two seconds remaining in the first round. Joe Pyfer submitted Abus Magomedov by rear-naked choke, and Youssef Zalal defeated Josh Emmett by first-round armbar.
The event maintained a steady pace through the main card following a slower preliminary lineup. UFC 320 marked the promotion’s latest major show in Las Vegas before its upcoming pay-per-view event scheduled for November.
