In the glittering chaos of Las Vegas, UFC 320 kicks off tonight at T-Mobile Arena, headlined by a rematch that's got the MMA world buzzing. Magomed Ankalaev, the current light heavyweight champion, steps back into the octagon against Alex Pereira, the Brazilian powerhouse he dethroned just months ago. This isn't just a fight; it's a grudge match laced with unfinished business. Ankalaev's grappling dominance clashed with Pereira's devastating strikes last time, leading to a controversial finish that left fans divided.
Indeed, the buildup has been intense. Pereira, a former middleweight king and Glory kickboxing legend, enters as the underdog at around +200 odds, but his knockout power—he's finished 10 of his last 11 wins that way—makes him dangerous. Ankalaev, undefeated in the UFC at 9-0, relies on his wrestling to control the pace, yet questions linger about his cardio in later rounds. However, Ankalaev's recent title win over Pereira at UFC 313 showcased his precision, and he's vowed to end this quickly.
The full fight card packs a punch too. Co-main event features bantamweight champ Merab Dvalishvili defending against Cory Sandhagen, a technical wizard who's been clawing for gold. Other highlights include Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Moreno 4 in a flyweight grudge series, plus rising stars like Shavkat Rakhmonov taking on Ian Machado Garry in welterweight action. Prelims boast intriguing bouts, such as Viviane Araujo versus Erin Blanchfield, keeping the energy high from early prelims at 6 p.m. ET.
Moreover, this event marks UFC's return to Vegas after a whirlwind of scheduling changes—from Guadalajara to San Antonio and now here—highlighting the promotion's adaptability amid construction delays. Tickets sold out fast, with pay-per-view expected to shatter records given the star power. Yet, for all the hype, Pereira's age at 37 and Ankalaev's relative youth at 33 add layers of intrigue.
However, injuries have shuffled the undercard slightly, with no major cancellations reported as of this afternoon. As the lights dim and the crowd roars, one can't help but ponder if Pereira's left hook will rewrite the script again.