Alex Pereira reclaimed his position at the pinnacle of the light heavyweight division, Merab Dvalishvili reinforced his status, and Jiri Prochaska delivered another impressive knockout at UFC 320. The event, held on Saturday, set the stage for some compelling future matchups.
Pereira had lost the UFC light heavyweight title to Ankalaev in March but swiftly regained it by defeating Ankalaev in just 80 seconds. With Ankalaev failing to defend his title, there is no need for a rematch. Another exciting contender present at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas was former champion Jiri Prochaska, who dominated Khalil Rountree Jr. over two intense rounds.
Dvalishvili, already regarded as one of the best bantamweights ever, further legitimized his place with a solid decision win over Cory Sandhagen. If he aims to separate himself from bantamweight legends like Dominick Cruz and TJ Dillashaw, a formidable challenge lies ahead.
Following an exhilarating night of fights, here are some notable upcoming bouts the UFC could arrange:
Light Heavyweight
Alex Pereira vs. Carlos Ulberg: UFC President Dana White announced in the post-fight press conference that Pereira’s camp is exploring a potential heavyweight bout. However, if Pereira remains in his weight class, a showdown with Ulberg promises excitement, as both are powerful strikers. Ulberg may not draw large crowds yet, but the matchup would add excitement to a championship doubleheader. After winning against Ankalaev, Pereira paid tribute to the late Arthur Jones, brother of Jon Jones. Pereira might soon call out either Jon Jones or the winner of Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane. Given the lack of strong heavyweight contenders, Pereira might attempt a one-off move to heavyweight while keeping hold of the 205-pound title.
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Jiri Prochaska: Prochaska needed Pereira to lose to remain relevant at the top of the division. Since Pereira defeated Prochaska twice, a trilogy seems unlikely. Instead, Prochaska can now focus on Ankalaev, who had been mocking him on social media during fight week. Prochaska previously declined a title fight with Ankalaev to finish his master’s degree, making this a fresh and intriguing matchup.
Khalil Rountree vs. Jan Blachowicz or Bogdan Guskov: Rountree started strong against Prochaska but ultimately took significant damage, adding to his previous losses against Pereira and Prochaska. A step back might be beneficial for him. Blachowicz and emerging striker Guskov are set to compete in November, with the winner likely facing Rountree next. A fight with Blachowicz offers Rountree some respite, while an encounter with Guskov would highlight his skills against a less formidable opponent.
Bantamweight
Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan (January 2): Dvalishvili aims to achieve a record of four title defenses within a year. The UFC is expected to consider this as the champion looks to face Yan on November 15. While a third title fight might not headline UFC 322, UFC 323 remains unconfirmed. Yan has bounced back from three losses with three consecutive wins and is preparing for another bout with Dvalishvili. Having last fought in July, Yan has ample recovery time before the December 6 event.
Corey Sandhagen vs. Sean O’Malley: Both fighters have publicly expressed interest in a bantamweight title fight next year. Though a title fight is unlikely soon, it’s confusing why these top strikers haven’t faced off yet. Both need comeback wins after losses to Dvalishvili. Whether at a marquee event or not, Sandhagen vs. O’Malley should be scheduled soon. Additionally, the winner of Marlon Vera vs. Ayaman Zahavi is another strong contender.
Fan Take: UFC 320 showcased thrilling performances and reshaped the competitive landscape, especially with Pereira’s rapid title reclamation. For fight fans, these developments promise electrifying matchups and ongoing excitement in both the light heavyweight and bantamweight divisions, signaling an engaging future for the sport.
