🔗 Share this article

The Brazilian fighter required just under a minute and a half to recapture the light heavyweight title after stopping his Russian opponent at UFC 320.

This victory occurred half a year after he experienced a unanimous decision loss to the Russian fighter at their previous encounter.

Pereira, who had clearly taken lessons from his setback in spring, wasted no time by landing a huge right hook.

The audience in Las Vegas cheered loudly as the two-division champion stunned the 33-year-old with a heavy blow before the official stopped the fight following several hard strikes to the head.

"Retribution is never a positive motive. I told everyone I wasn't at my best last time but people doubted me, now everyone witnessed," the champion remarked post-fight.

"I expected it, I saw it in the first fight. I'm not one for excuses but I was unwell that night."

Ankalaev was seeking his 13th win consecutively but connected with only two of his seven power shots, while 25 out of 37 from Pereira found their target.

Since his UFC debut in 2021, the Brazilian has rapidly evolved into one of the promotion's biggest stars, becoming a two-division champion in only seven fights - a record time.

Upon winning the middleweight title, Pereira transitioned to light heavyweight and, after claiming gold, his three successful defenses in 2024 led to him being recognized as the promotion's top competitor alongside Ilia Topuria.

The champion encountered his toughest challenge in fighting his rival, with the Russian preventing the Brazilian from connecting with powerful shots in their initial encounter - but this wasn't an issue the second time around, with he thudding the side of his opponent's head early on.

The challenger had ended the champion's run of three successful defenses within twelve months in the first encounter but the ex-titleholder now has a second defeat on his professional history - and his first in over seven years.

Currently tied at one win apiece, a third encounter could decide who takes the bragging rights for good.

The Champion 'Wants to Fight at Heavyweight' - UFC President

Despite reclaiming the 205-pound championship he lost in March, Pereira has plans for transitioning another weight class to the heavyweight class, according to UFC chief the organization's head.

Before the rematch with Ankalaev, the champion and his camp informed the president of his desire to advance to the heavyweight division. The UFC president told the post-event press conference: "He expressed they want to compete in the heavyweight division but I said to concentrate on tonight initially. There are still fights here, but we'll see."

"This guy has been an outstanding performer for us. He fights when injured, it doesn't matter to him. He wants to fight all challengers and advance to the heavyweight class. There's a lot of things to discuss after tonight."

Upon questioning what his concerns were on the fighter making the jump, White responded: "He started as a middleweight - to jump up two weight classes in the organization, it's not like moving up two divisions in the sweet science."

"I don't have reservations but he competes in a weight class where there are still numerous opportunities."

'The Machine' Dvalishvili Continues to Make Mark in UFC Annals

During the featured bout, Georgia's the bantamweight champion earned a dominant unanimous decision over the USA's Cory Sandhagen to retain his 135-pound championship.

This victory was the champion's 14th consecutive win - elevating him to third place for longest win streak in organization history. Only Islam Makhachev and Kamaru Usman, on 15, and another legend with sixteen rank above.

The judges scored the fight 49-45 49-45 49-46 in support of the titleholder.

"I'm like a machine. I continuously improve. My training is intense. I feel like my journey is starting, I'm only getting started and I keep learning," said the champion after the bout.

The Georgian, 34, was in control of the bout on the offensive and consistently kept his opponent on the defensive.

Although Dvalishvili's confidence and daunting win streak, the challenger was not intimidated and connected with 23 of his 48 significant strikes in the opening round, but the tide turned two minutes into the second stanza when the Georgian connected powerfully with a series of blows.

Sandhagen endured the attack but continued to be dominated, with the Georgian setting a new UFC record for the most takedowns in a five-round fight with 20 on the path to winning.