The rematch between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev has been officially set as the main event for UFC 320, taking place on October 4 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This highly awaited Alex Pereira UFC 320 rematch is expected to feature a significant shift in fighting style, with a UFC legend suggesting wrestling will be the key factor in the outcome.
In their initial encounter at UFC 313 in March, Ankalaev defeated Pereira by unanimous decision to claim the light heavyweight title. Throughout that fight, Ankalaev effectively used wrestling to control the pace, forcing clinches and pushing Pereira against the cage. At the same time, Ankalaev showed a willingness to engage striking exchanges, even managing to stagger the former GLORY kickboxing world champion at one point.
Insight From Tito Ortiz on the Upcoming Clash
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz shared his thoughts on the rematch during an interview with Helen Yee. Ortiz believes Magomed Ankalaev will rely more on his wrestling skills this time. He explained that Pereira will need to be prepared to defend takedowns to avoid being controlled as he was in their previous bout.
Pereira needs to make sure that he defends the takedown. I think this is going to be more of a wrestling match. I think so, becasue that Russian, he wanted to test his skills on his feet and he showed he could punch with him. And I think Alex is going to think the same thing, and think he is actually going to wrestle him this time… That would be the smartest thing.
—Tito Ortiz, Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion
Betting Odds and Other UFC 320 Matchups
According to ESPN BETS’ opening odds, Magomed Ankalaev enters the UFC 320 bout as a -180 favorite, while Alex Pereira is listed as a +150 underdog. This means a $100 wager on Ankalaev would return $155.56 if he wins, whereas the same bet on Pereira would pay out $250.
In addition to the main event, UFC 320 will also feature a bantamweight title fight between champion Merab Dvalishvili and Cory Sandhagen. Another notable matchup includes Jiri Prochazka facing former title contender Khalil Rountree Jr. in a light heavyweight bout.
What the Rematch Could Mean for Both Fighters
The Alex Pereira UFC 320 rematch offers an important opportunity for ‘Poatan’ to adjust his approach and potentially overcome the strategies that led to his defeat at UFC 313. As Ankalaev is expected to emphasize wrestling more heavily, Pereira’s ability to defend takedowns and adapt on the ground could greatly influence the fight’s direction.
This fight also carries implications for the light heavyweight division, as both fighters aim to secure or retain the championship. UFC 320’s outcome may shape the future title picture and set the tone for upcoming matchups in this weight class.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Alex Pereira lose?
A. Alex Pereira experienced just the third defeat in his career and his first in six fights. He lost to Magomed Ankalaev by unanimous decision at UFC 313 on Saturday.
Q. How is Alex Pereira so powerful?
A. After a sparring session, Pereira thinks about the sources of his strength. He identifies two key factors: his technique and his genetics. He’s exceptionally skilled in both his kicking and punching abilities.
Q. How many units does an Alex Pereira punch pack? Unless the machine is broken, Alex Pereira didn’t just surpass Francis Ngannou’s punch but he completely blew that old record out of the water. According to this machine, Pereira’s single punch packs an outrageous 191,796 units.
A. Has Alex Pereira more strength compared to Francis Ngannou?
In terms of physical strength, Francis Ngannou is widely considered one of the strongest fighters in the sport. He is known for his incredible punching power and knockout ability. Alex Pereira, on the other hand, is a skilled striker with a focus on precision and technique. While Pereira is strong and talented, Ngannou is generally seen as having the edge in raw power.