Alex Pereira did it again! After months in the shadows, the Brazilian stormed back to reclaim the throne from Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320. Following a string of underwhelming cards, the UFC returned to Nevada’s T-Mobile Arena with a bang, delivering a night of high-octane action. The early prelims stirred the crowd, but the real sparks flew on the preliminary card, where four fighters delivered jaw-dropping knockouts, building anticipation for the co-main event between Merab Dvalishvili and Cory Sandhagen.

Yet, the true spotlight belonged to the headliner: Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev. The Brazilian not only reclaimed his title but also avenged his previous loss, asserting once more who commands the division. With him back on top, the light heavyweight hierarchy remains largely intact, in contrast to the welterweight division, which witnessed more surprises on the same night. The evening also featured a thrilling light heavyweight bout between #2 contender Jiri Prochazka and #4 Khalil Rountree Jr., which Pereira secured with a knockout win..

What’s next for Alex Pereira after UFC 320?

In the third round, Jiri Prochazka reminded the world why fans consider him one of the division’s most lethal and precise strikers, as he systematically dismantled Muay Thai specialist Khalil Rountree Jr. Naturally, his performance reignited whispers of a trilogy with the Brazilian, who had already faced him twice — UFC 295 and UFC 303 — with Alex Pereira winning both bouts. Meanwhile, any hope for a trilogy with reigning champion Magomed Ankalaev remains on ice.

With Pereira back on top, the UFC could theoretically greenlight a trilogy if he ekes out a narrow win. However, he delivered nothing close to a narrow victory — the Brazilian juggernaut steamrolled Ankalaev in the first round, exposing just how off his game had been in their first encounter at UFC 313. Consequently, this decisive performance significantly lowers the chances of the UFC booking a trilogy.

Meanwhile, on the horizon, a new contender rises. #3-ranked Carlos Ulberg extended his win streak to nine by knocking out veteran Dominick Reyes at UFC Perth. Rumors had suggested Ulberg might serve as a backup for the Pereira vs. Ankalaev rematch, keeping the division’s intrigue alive.

Following his win, Carlos Ulberg called out the winner of the title clash in Perth: “That’s exactly what we wanted,” Ulberg said of his knockout performance. “I just spoke to Hunter, and we’re gonna be talking about something. Fly me to Vegas so I can go there and witness those guys fight. All the best for them, but I’m gonna be there in the flesh,” Ulberg added.

Beyond light heavyweight, the Brazilian harbors a dream of becoming a two-division champion. From time to time, ‘Poatan’ has expressed his desire to move up to heavyweight to chase gold in that division. At 38, cutting weight has become increasingly challenging for the Brazilian, whose walking weight now exceeds 240 lbs. He spoke about this struggle ahead of UFC 320: “I don’t know how long I can cut to 205. We’re just going to have to see,” said Alex Pereira. This candid admission underscores that Pereira’s era in the light heavyweight division is drawing to a close.

Alex Pereira signals a slower pace in his future fight schedule

In 2024, Alex Pereira dominated the UFC, stepping up whenever the promotion needed a savior and rescuing Dana White’s faltering fight cards without hesitation. The Brazilian accepted bouts on short notice, headlined major events, and turned potentially doomed cards into spectacular showcases. First, Pereira defended his title against Jamahal Hill at UFC 300, swiftly sending Hill’s “sweet dreams” into sleep. Then, at UFC 303, following the fallout from Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler, he defended his belt against Jiri Prochazka for a second time, finishing the fight with a knockout.

A few months later, at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, ‘Poatan’ defended his title again against Khalil Rountree Jr. However, the relentless pace took a heavy toll—he suffered countless injuries and fatigue, and, at age 38, the punishing strain began to show. For instance, UFC 313 highlighted this when Alex Pereira struggled against Magomed Ankalaev. Moreover, Joe Rogan later revealed that Pereira had fought Ankalaev the first time with a “broken hand”, showing the extremes he endured for the sport.

After months on the sidelines, Pereira returned and dethroned Magomed Ankalaev, claiming the light heavyweight crown for the second time. Now, the veteran chooses his battles more carefully. Reflecting before UFC 320, he said, “Looking back, maybe if I had planned things better, I wouldn’t have been as active as I was. It’s really about opportunity – if something comes up, maybe I’ll take it, but… I don’t think so.”

With the belt back around his waist, Alex Pereira is expected to take a longer hiatus, potentially returning by spring. Where do you see his journey heading next in the division? Who would make a compelling matchup after UFC 320? Share your thoughts below.