UFC CEO Dana White has officially announced the main event for UFC 320, confirming that Magomed Ankalaev will defend his light heavyweight title in a highly anticipated rematch against Alex Pereira. The card is set for October 4 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and already looks like one of the most stacked events of the year.
Ankalaev captured the title from Pereira earlier this year at UFC 313, outpointing him in a dominant decision win. That fight ended Pereira’s brief but explosive reign as light heavyweight king, which included knockout victories over Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka, and Khalil Rountree Jr.
The road back to the belt hasn’t been smooth for Pereira. Despite initial verbal agreements to run it back, Ankalaev accused him of turning down offers and angled for a different opponent. But now, with everything aligned, the two powerhouses will finally settle the score at UFC 320.
“Ankalaev vs. Pereira 2 is happening. We’re going back to Vegas and putting on a killer card,” Dana White announced via Instagram Live.
Pereira, who has been walking around at over 240 pounds since their first bout, will once again cut back down to 205 for this clash. Talk of a move to heavyweight will have to wait. For now, his shot at redemption is all that matters. While the Brazilian seeks revenge, Ankalaev prepares to make his first title defense against the man who defined the division’s chaos over the past year.
The co-main event of UFC 320 is just as compelling. Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili returns to defend his belt against top contender Cory Sandhagen. Dvalishvili is on a tear, having already dispatched Umar Nurmagomedov and Sean O’Malley in 2025. With a relentless pace and a grappling-heavy style, the Georgian has kept his promise to stay active, and Sandhagen now stands in front of his toughest challenge yet.
“This is the fight I wanted,” Dvalishvili told fans earlier this month. “Cory’s a great fighter, and I respect him. But I’m going to show why I’m the champion.”
Sandhagen earned this title shot after a clinical win over Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Des Moines. He had a respectful exchange with Dvalishvili backstage at UFC 316 after Merab’s submission win over O’Malley. Now he steps into the biggest moment of his career—his second shot at UFC gold since a short-notice loss to Petr Yan in 2021.
Also announced for UFC 320 is a pivotal light heavyweight matchup between former champion Jiri Prochazka and knockout artist Khalil Rountree. Prochazka returned with authority, finishing Jamahal Hill, while Rountree is coming off a tough decision loss to Hill but remains a live threat in the division.
Rounding out the early lineup, Joe Pyfer will take on Abus Magomedov in a middleweight clash, while Macy Chiasson faces Yana Santos in a high-stakes women’s bantamweight bout.
The full UFC 320 card continues to take shape, but the confirmed bouts already set the tone for a blockbuster night in Vegas.
