Pereira blasts out Ankalaev then looks for heavy move

Alex Pereira bounces back! The brilliant Brazilian needed just one minute and 22 seconds to reclaim the light-heavyweight world championship after stopping Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320 in Las Vegas.

Pereira’s victory came seven months after losing by unanimous points to the Russian at UFC 313. Pereira, 38, had clearly learned from his defeat in March, where he spent the fight on the back foot, and wasted no time by connecting with a huge right hook.

The Vegas crowd erupted as two-division champion Pereira stunned the 33-year-old with a clubbing right hand before referee Herb Dean stopped the fight after a number of heavy elbows to the head.

“Vengeance is never a good thing. I told everyone I wasn’t in a good position last time but no-one believed it, tonight you saw it,” Pereira said. “It didn’t surprise me, I saw it in the first fight. I don’t like to make excuses but I wasn’t well that night.”

Ankalaev was looking for his 13th win in a row but could only land two of his seven significant strikes, while 25 of Pereira’s 37 found their target.

Since his UFC debut in 2021, Pereira has quickly transformed into one of the promotion’s biggest stars, becoming a two-division champion in only seven fights - a record time.

Now locked at one win apiece, a trilogy fight could decide who takes the bragging rights forever.

Despite reclaiming the light-heavyweight title Pereira has eyes on moving up to heavyweight now, according to UFC chief Dana White.