Alex Pereira has reclaimed his UFC light heavyweight title….
In his immediate rematch with Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320 on Saturday, the 38-year-old Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and former professional kickboxer (14-3) reclaimed the 205-pound championship in dominant fashion, finishing his opponent (21-2-1) with strikes on the ground just 80 seconds into the opening round.
It was a stunning reversal from what happened seven months aearlier, when Pereira appeared hesitant in what was his first loss at light heavyweight.
On Saturday, he burst out of his corner at the start of the fight and put away Ankalaev while hardly absorbing any strikes.
It was the quickest finish of Pereira’s MMA career and the second-quickest title fight in UFC light heavyweight history, behind Vitor Belfort‘s 49-second win over Randy Couture in 2004.
It was the first knockout loss of Ankalaev’s career and snapped a 14-fight unbeaten streak.
“Vengeance is never a good thing; it’s kind of a poison sometimes,” Pereira said through an interpreter. “I told everyone I was not in a good condition last time. Everyone saw that tonight.”
During UFC 320 fight week, Pereira’s team told ESPN that he fought Ankalaev at UFC 313 in March with a fractured tibia. He was also sick and had been placed on antibiotics in the weeks leading up to the event. Because of those circumstances, Pereira estimated he was only at 40% of his capacity that night.
He looked very much at 100% Saturday. Pereira asserted himself in the center of the Octagon and walked Ankalaev down with strikes. Pereira hurt him early with a right hand to the chin and eventually finished the bout with elbow strikes from top position. Pereira had a 28-4 edge over Ankalaev in total strikes.
Immediately after the bout, Pereira stood over Ankalaev and made the same taunting gesture he used after knocking out Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 in April 2024. There had been some animosity in the buildup to UFC 320, as Pereira accused Ankalaev of hiding from him during fight week and lying about Pereira not wanting a rematch.
Pereira picked up the 12th knockout of his MMA career, and he became the third two-time light heavyweight champion in UFC history. He shares that distinction with Couture and Jon Jones.
