UFC 320: Alex Pereira 'not surprised' after rocking Magomed Ankalaev to reclaim light-heavyweight crown inside 82 seconds

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Alex Pereira reclaimed the light-heavyweight world championship in emphatic fashion, needing only one minute and 22 seconds to dispatch Magomed Ankalaev with a devastating display of power and precision at UFC 320 in Las Vegas. During a pre-fight conversation with UFC CEO Dana White, the Brazilian left no doubt about his lofty intentions for 2026, targeting the heavyweight division.

‘Domination!’ – Pereira reclaims title with stunning first-round knockout over Ankalaev

Video credit: TNT Sports

Alex Pereira put on a very businesslike display after reclaiming the light-heavyweight crown, stating that nothing surprised him as he demolished Magomed Ankalaev in just 82 seconds at UFC 320 in Las Vegas.

Seven months after dropping a unanimous decision to the Russian at UFC 313, the Brazilian got his emphatic revenge, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

The 38-year-old came in sharper and more aggressive than ever, flipping the script from their March clash where he had been pushed onto the back foot. This time, he opened with a thunderous right hook.

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The Vegas crowd exploded as the two-division champ rocked the 33-year-old with a sledgehammer shot, then sealed the deal with a brutal barrage of elbows that forced referee Herb Dean to step in.

‘Domination!’ – Pereira reclaims title with stunning first-round knockout over Ankalaev

Video credit: TNT Sports

'Poatan', as he is known, said afterwards: "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.

"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 in pursuit of his 13th straight win but landed just two of seven significant strikes, while Pereira connected on 25 of 37.

Since debuting in 2021, Pereira has rocketed to stardom, claiming titles in two divisions in just seven fights.

Following his triumphant return to the top, however, he shifted focus whilst still standing inside the Octagon with a touching tribute to Arthur Jones - the former NFL player and the brother of UFC legend Jon Jones - who was found dead in his home on Friday afternoon, aged just 39.

"I had my speech ready for tonight," Pereira said before pausing. "After my victory, I spoke to my entire team about it.

"But things went wrong after I received some news recently, and a lot of things happened. I didn't get back to the speech today, but I wanted to leave a message for Jon Jones. My respect goes to him and his entire family.

"I ask for everyone here and everyone at home to respect a moment of silence for his brother."

Pereira is already eyeing his next challenge, having moved up to light-heavyweight and come through his biggest test in fighting Ankalaev. While there is scope for a trilogy fight - their head-to-head locked at one apiece - the Brazilian is already targeting a move to heavyweight.

White reveals heavyweight talks with Pereira

UFC boss Dana White revealed the pair had a conversation before UFC 320 in which Pereira made his ambitious intentions known.

"I went over to the PI [UFC Performance Institute], and he was at the PI," White said. "I was like, ‘Well, you’re the last guy I expected to see here today. What are you doing here?’

Alex Pereira required just 82 seconds to defeat Magomed Ankalaev

Image credit: Getty Images

"They were telling me, ‘We wanna fight at heavyweight’. I said, ‘How about we win tonight. Focus on tonight, and then we can talk about heavyweight.’ I don’t know. There is still fights here in this division, but we’ll see."

When pressed on what he believed might count against Pereira making the jump, White responded: "He was a middleweight - to jump up two weight classes in the UFC, it's not like jumping up two weight classes in boxing.

"I don't have reservations but he's in a division where there are still so many fights."

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