A light heavyweight title rematch will headline the UFC’s return to pay-per-view this weekend.
Magomed Ankalaev outpointed Alex Pereira over five rounds to claim the 205lb title back in March.
Seven months later, ‘Poatan’ has the chance to win back the belt he lost in the UFC 313 main event.
Will it be a repeat or revenge match at UFC 320? Let’s see what the Bloody Elbow staff think about Magomed Ankalaev vs Alex Pereira 2.
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Magomed Ankalaev vs Alex Pereira 2 predictions
Jordan: “I know Magomed Ankalaev won quite convincingly at UFC 313, but I wasn’t overly impressed by his performance. It was more what Alex Pereira didn’t do than what the Russian did, in my opinion. If ‘Poatan’ lets his hands go, I believe Ankalaev will wilt under his power and surrender the light heavyweight title in his first defense.”
ALEX PEREIRA BY KO
Donagh: “For many fans, Alex Pereira is carrying the future of MMA on his shoulders this weekend. He’s one of the biggest stars of the era, and is seen as one of the last great hopes against the sport-killing Dagestani style. Can he handle that weight? I’m going to editorialize and admit that I really want him to, but I don’t think so.”
MAGOMED ANKALAEV VIA DECISION
Kyle: “I do think Alex Pereira’s more relaxed schedule will help him in this fight, but I can’t see it being enough. I struggle to see how we don’t get another very similar fight, just with a more active ‘Poatan’, which I’m not sure whether that will make a big enough difference.”
MAGOMED ANKALAEV BY DECISION
Jamie: “Alex Pereira went from being the biggest star in the sport to just another contender. Although the time off may have benefited him, he’s not getting any younger, and I think Ankalaev will once again put on a similar performance that saw him win the title.”
MAGOMED ANKALAEV BY DECISION
TalkingPoints
Who wins the UFC 320 main event?
Harvey: “As much as I’d like to predict a finish on either side or something more exciting, I see this one playing out just like Ankalaev’s win over Pereira earlier this year. The Brazilian always has the chance to land a kill shot, and having shown strong takedown defense at UFC 313, perhaps he’ll be more offensive on the feet in the early rounds of the rematch. But I just don’t think he’s had enough time to overcome Ankalaev’s key advantage: a better all-around MMA skillset. That’s something I’ll almost always bet on over someone whose singular route to victory is a KO punch.”
MAGOMED ANKALAEV BY DECISION
Chris: “Magomed Ankalaev was closer to finding the finish against Alex Pereira the last time out, and it wasn’t on the ground but instead the striking department, which I found very surprising. Pereira’s takedown defense also impressed me, and I think he has a new confidence in himself and his abilities after defending all of Ankalaev’s takedown attempts, which was a big question in the first fight. After sharing the cage with Ankalaev over five rounds and having more time to prepare for the southpaw, I think Pereira makes the right adjustments and closes the distance against Ankalaev, outgunning him on the feet this time around.”
ALEX PEREIRA BY KO
Ross: “Time off for Pereira may prove a blessing in disguise for the Brazilian ahead of UFC 320; however, an active schedule has proved more than ideal for him in the past. With that said, I’m unsure if he’s even got the tools on a good night to deal with the aggression and ability of Ankalaev as soon as he closes the distance, which he managed to easily do earlier this year. Ankalaev to take home another decision win.”
MAGOMED ANKALAEV BY DECISION