On Oct. 4, UFC 320 took place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The event showcased some of the best talent in mixed martial arts. In the main event, Alex Pereira faced champion Magomed Ankalaev in a light heavyweight championship rematch. In the co-main event, Merab Dvalishvili defended his bantamweight title against Cory Sandhagen.
Last week, I said this card would be a good one, but it turned out to be absolutely amazing. My predicted outcome for each fight turned out to be correct — even the methods of victory. But what truly defined this event were the narratives built for the UFC and the shockwaves sent throughout each division. After UFC 320, it’s clear the UFC landscape is changing dramatically — and getting even better.
In the first fight of the main card, Joe Pyfer faced Abus Magomedov. From the start, Magomedov controlled the striking, landing 18 of 21 total strikes and 11 of 12 significant strikes. Pyfer landed 13 of 18 total strikes and 6 of 10 significant strikes. Luckily, this isn’t boxing — it’s mixed martial arts. That means other skills come into play beyond striking.
Pyfer used his grappling and submission abilities to take control. At 1 minute, 46 seconds into Round 2, Pyfer submitted Magomedov, earning a major victory. So what’s next for him? After defeating Magomedov in that fashion, Pyfer has earned a fight against a ranked middleweight opponent. Someone like Marvin Vettori (No. 14) or Roman Dolidze (No. 12) would make a solid stylistic matchup for early 2026.
Following that bout, Youssef Zalal faced Josh Emmett in a featherweight matchup. Emmett, coming off a major injury, entered the fight as a sizable underdog. Zalal, meanwhile, was riding momentum after a big win over Calvin Kattar in February. I expected this fight to be closer than it was — but Zalal proved to be several levels ahead.
Just one minute, 38 seconds into the first round, Zalal shot for a takedown and secured a slick armbar submission that forced Emmett to audibly tap. It was a jiu-jitsu masterclass from Zalal. Still, it’s fair to question whether Emmett was fully healthy. This win should earn Zalal a higher-profile opponent, possibly Yair Rodriguez (No. 3). A matchup like that could be the defining moment of his young career.
Next up was the fight of the night: Jiri Prochazka vs. Khalil Rountree. The two went to war for nearly three rounds. Both fighters exchanged heavy shots that could have ended the fight at any moment. The staredown beforehand was electric, setting the tone for a true brawl.
Rountree controlled the first two rounds with his kicks and octagon control, landing 66 of 158 significant strikes, while Prochazka landed 71 of 138. No takedowns were attempted by either fighter. This was a battle of attrition — who would fall first? As I predicted, Rountree eventually hit the canvas after a brutal left from Prochazka, who snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in true warrior fashion. Round three was one of the best in recent UFC history. For Prochazka, a light heavyweight title shot seems inevitable. His champion-caliber skill set and mindset continue to shine through every fight.
The co-main event between Dvalishvili and Sandhagen, while not as wild, was a display of dominance. Dvalishvili’s relentless stamina and wrestling were on full display. He landed 20 takedowns over five rounds, along with 114 of 265 significant strikes to Sandhagen’s 80 of 184.
This was always going to be a tough fight for “The Sandman.” Dvalishvili is quickly making his case as the greatest bantamweight of all time. Sandhagen showed grit, managing to break free from several clinch attempts and defend 17 of 37 takedown attempts. Still, Dvalishvili’s constant pressure was too much, and he retained his title by unanimous decision. It’s unclear what’s next for Dvalishvili. He has nearly cleared out the division. Could he move up to featherweight to chase a second belt? Or defend again against a fellow champion, perhaps flyweight titleholder Alexandre Pantoja? Time will tell.
Finally, it was time for the main event. After losing to Ankalaev earlier this year, Alex “Poatan” Pereira entered looking for revenge and to reclaim his light heavyweight crown. His signature “bow and arrow” walkout gesture symbolized his intent to hunt his opponent. Ankalaev, the favorite, came in riding a 14-fight unbeaten streak. On paper, the challenge looked steep — but Pereira appeared far more prepared this time. Reports indicated he was not 100% in their previous meeting, and this time he looked sharp and motivated.
When the fight began, Pereira immediately pressed forward, backing Ankalaev against the cage. His elite striking was on full display. After landing a barrage of shots, Pereira hurt Ankalaev badly. The champion dropped to his knees for a desperate takedown, but Pereira pounced. After a series of vicious ground-and-pound strikes and 12-6 elbows, referee Herb Dean stopped the fight.
After their first fight went the distance, Pereira ended this one in just one minute, 20 seconds — by knockout, just as I predicted. The T-Mobile Arena erupted as chants of “Chama!” echoed throughout. Pereira reclaimed his throne as the UFC light heavyweight champion.
As the crowd celebrated, cameras showed Jiri Prochazka applauding while staring at Pereira with determination — a hint at a potential trilogy fight. Pereira has expressed interest in moving up to heavyweight to chase a third UFC title, but UFC President Dana White said after the event, “There are still fights in that division.” Whether it’s Prochazka, Carlos Ulberg, or another contender, one thing is certain: any fight involving Alex Pereira will be a must-watch.
