UFC 320 results, highlights: Alex Pereira smashes Magomed Ankalaev to regain light heavyweight title

'Poatan' is back after a violent finish in the main event from Las Vegas on Saturday

Alex Pereira is back atop the light heavyweight mountain. Pereira ran through the man who took his title, Magomed Ankalaev, in short order to recapture the light heavyweight championship in the main event of UFC 320 on Saturday night.

Ankalaev ended Pereira's run as light heavyweight champion at UFC 313 in March, a run that came after Pereira jumped up in weight after losing the middleweight title. On that night, Ankalaev was able to use his clinch game to smother Pereira and take him out of a comfortable range for his dangerous strikes.

Pereira claimed he'd entered that fight at just "40%," and that fans could expect to see a much healthier and more dangerous version of him on Saturday night.

Pereira made one big change at the start of the rematch, and it was the only change he needed, coming out with forward pressure rather than sitting back and reacting as he had in the first fight.

As Ankalaev was forced into the role of the reactionary fighter, Pereira landed hard leg kicks and fished to find the right angle for a heavy punch. That punch came quickly, as Pereira landed a massive right hand along the cage that dropped Ankalaev.

Pereira followed him to the ground, dropping heavy punches and elbows until referee Herb Dean was forced to jump in and call a halt to the action at the 1:20 mark of Round 1.

Following his victory, Pereira pointed to the result compared to the first fight as verification of his health struggles in March.

"Vengeance is never a good thing; it's kind of a poison sometimes," Pereira said. "I told everyone I was not in a good condition last fight, they didn't believe me. This proved it. ... [The result] didn't surprise me. I saw that in the first fight. I don't like to make excuses, but I was not well in that fight."

Pereira has been an extremely active fighter in his UFC career, especially when holding the championship. He has some clear challengers lined up, including Jiri Prochazka, who scored a dramatic knockout of Khalil Rountree Jr. earlier in the night. Pereira already holds two knockout victories over Prochazka, but Prochazka remains among the elite of the elite in the division.

No. 3-ranked Carlos Ulberg also just picked up a big win, knocking out Dominick Reyes on Sept. 28 to establish himself as a future title challenger.

Elsewhere on Saturday night, bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili blitzed through Cory Sandhagen after a shaky opening round to retain his title by decision. The native of Georgia set a UFC record with his 20 takedowns in the fight and 117 total in his career. He suffocated Sandhagen with his relentless pressure and wrestling to earn the unanimous decision win and pick up his 13th straight win. Dvalishvili has an argument to be the greatest bantamweight in UFC history as he has dispatched of every challenger put in front of him and cleared out nearly the entire division.

CBS Sports was with you throughout the entire way on Saturday with the live results and highlights below.

UFC 320 fight card, results

• Alex Pereira def. Magomed Ankalaev (c) via first-round TKO (punches)
• Merab Dvalishvili (c) def. Cory Sandhagen via unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-46)
• Jiri Prochazka def. Khalil Rountree Jr. via third-round TKO (punches)
• Youssef Zalal def. Josh Emmett via first-round submission (armbar)
• Joe Pyfer def. Abus Magomedov via second-round submission (rear-naked choke)
• Ateba Gautier def. Tre'ston Vines via first-round TKO
• Daniel Santos def. Yoo Joo-Sang via second-round TKO
• Jakub Wiklacz def. Patchy Mix via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Edmen Shahbazyan def. Andre Muniz +225 via first-round TKO (punches and elbows)
• Punahele Soriano def. Nikolay Veretennikov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Macy Chiasson def. Yana Santos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Farid Basharat def. Chris Gutierrez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Ramiz Brahimaj def. Austin Vanderford via second-round submission (guillotine choke)
• Veronica Hardy def. Brogan Walker via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

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[Oct 5, 2025 at 12:52 am ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Pereia is back! "Poatan" looked like a completely different fighter than the one who lost to Ankalaev in March. Maybe Pereria had a point about being at "40%" health in their first encounter. Pereira immediately pressed Ankalaev to the fence, throwing hard strikes. Shortly later, he landed a picture-perfect right hand that dropped the champ. Ankalaev covered up under a flurry of hammerfists and elbows that forced referee Herb Dean to intervene. The fight was waved off at 1:20 of Round 1. Once again, Pereira is the UFC light heavyweight champion.

[Oct 5, 2025 at 12:43 am ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Ankalaev is currently making his walk for the main event. The UFC light heavyweight champion seeks consecutive wins over "Poatan" after their clash at UFC 313. The loss ended a winning streak that had Pereira in the running for 2024 Fighter of the Year. Pereira won four title fights in 11 months, all via knockout. 

[Oct 5, 2025 at 12:29 am ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Dvalishvili has accomplished great things and is on the verge of achieving many more. The UFC bantamweight champion made a successful title defense against Sandhagen on Saturday. He gave up Round 1, but disrupted Sandhagen's progress with an endless wrestling attack. Dvalishvili scored nearly 20 takedowns, and even though he couldn't keep Sandhagen down, he well cleared 100 takedowns -- the first UFC fighter to score triple-digit takedowns. 

Dvalishvili claimed he'd knock out Sandhagen, the more proficient striker, leading into the fight. The champ nearly did that, dropping Sandhagen with a flurry of strikes in Round 2. He didn't get the finish, but earned 10-8 scores from two judges. The final scorecard read 49-45, 49-45, and 49-46 for Dvalishvili. 

Already the record holder for bantamweight win streak (13) and UFC takedowns, Dvalishvili is close to leading several more records. Dvalishvili wants to fight Petr Yan, whom he beat before, in December. Dvalishvili seeks to become the first fighter to notch four title defenses in 12 months or less. One more title defense would earn him that record, while also tying him with Aljamain Sterling for all-time bantamweight wins and T.J. Dillashaw for title defenses.

[Oct 5, 2025 at 12:23 am ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Dvalishvili hunted a takedown unsuccessfully. Dvalishvili landed a hard punch, then struck his way into a takedown opportunity. Sandhagen with a beautiful spinning back kick to the body. Dvalishvili feinted with a punch, then lunged for a takedown. The champ scored a takedown, but got caught in an awkward 50-50 position through a scramble. Dvalishvili has set a record for most takedowns in a UFC title fight with 17, and possibly counting. Sandhagen caught Dvalishvili with a hard punch, but then conceded another takedown. This was, by far, Dvalishvili's best takedown. He settled into top position with a minute left. Dvalishvili racked up strikes while tossing Sandhagen around. Dvalishvili threw a flurry of strikes, but ate a big one that forced him back a little. That round should have sealed the deal for the champ. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Dvalishvili (48-46 Dvalishvili overall).

[Oct 5, 2025 at 12:18 am ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Sandhagen landed a great one-two. Dvalishvili caught a body kick, threw a punch and launched the takedown. Sandhagen with a pair of jabs. Both men are finding their ranged shots. Sandhagen lands a hard cross but finds himself fending off another takedown. Sandhagen landed a beautiful counter right cross. The challenger with a hard uppercut. These are landing clean but not deterring the champ's pressure. Dvalishvili scored a beautiful hip toss and latched onto a D'arce choke, but he doesn't have enough time to work to the finish. Sandhagen landed more, cleaner shots. It could be anyone's fight. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Sandhagen (38-37 Dvalishvili)

[Oct 5, 2025 at 12:10 am ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Dvalishvili immediately pursued another takedown, but Sandhagen fended it off. Sandhagen scored with two body punches. Dvalishvili landed a nice counter punch. Dvalishvili continued to land with a left-hand lead, followed by a takedown attempt. Dvalishvili partially blocked a head kick. Dvalishvili punched his way to the fence and snatched a leg. Sandhagen had some success meeting Dvalishvili in the middle, but the champ's wrestling threats continued disrupting Sandhagen's rhythm. Dvalishvili is outstriking Sandhagen this round and landing short-lived takedowns. Unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Dvalishvili (29-27 Dvalishvili overall)

[Oct 5, 2025 at 12:04 am ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Dvalishvili snatched a high crotch early but couldn't trip Sandhagen. Dvalishvili continued attempting different trips and takedowns while throwing knees to the thigh. Sandhagen shucked him off again. The champ blitzed forward and landed two shots. Sandhagen missed a knee and ate a counter punch. Dvalishvili blitzed with a flurry of punches that dropped Sandhagen! The challenger is back to his feet but still eating short punches! People laughed when Dvalishvili claimed he'd knock out Sandhagen. Dvalishvili has three KOs in 20 wins, and hasn't knocked out an opponent in four years. Dvalishvili landed multiple takedowns, but Sandhagen got up quickly each time. A trip finally put Sandhagen on his back for an extended period. Sandhagen got back to his feet without absorbing much damage. Dvalishvili has well cleared 100 takedowns, becoming the only UFC fighter to hit triple digits. Don't be surprised to see 10-8 scorecards. Dvalishvili badly hurt and severely outstruck Sandhagen. Unofficial scorecard: 19-18 Dvalishvili 

[Oct 4, 2025 at 11:57 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Dvalishvili landed the fight's first combo. Sandhagen responded with a counter left hand and low kick. The challenger scored with another counter left, followed by a four-strike combo to the head and legs. Sandhagen with another stiff jab. Dvalishvili lunged for a leg but didn't commit to the takedown. Sandhagen scored an uppercut. The champ scored a terrific two-punch combo before initiating the grappling. Dvalishvili chained takedowns, eventually getting him down. Sandhagen quickly popped to his feet with Dvalishvili on his back. "The Sandman" broke free without giving up a second takedown. The challenge blitzed forward with a multi-punch combo, followed by a leg kick. Sandhagen faked the takedown, and both men scored punches. Sandhagen continued to slide out of the way and score points. Unofficial score: 10-9 Sandhagen

[Oct 5, 2025 at 11:46 pm ET · Shakiel Mahjouri]

Dvalishvili and Sandhagen are about to fight for the UFC bantamweight championship. Sandhagen had a long road to the title. Often the bridesmaid and never the bride, the four UFC fighters to beat Sandhagen immediately fought for the undisputed title. Tonight, it's his chance to make good for past shortcomings. He has a tall task ahead of him against Dvalishvili, the bantamweight win streak record holder.