Imago
Credits: IMAGO
Imago
Credits: IMAGO
At UFC 320, Bruce Buffer made a historic error when introducing Alex Pereira. The famed announcer, who only refers to Alex Pereira, Conor McGregor, and Jon Jones as “The One and Only,” forgot to give ‘Poatan’ his proper title during his introduction at the main event of the night. That snub was quickly proven costly in the Octagon.
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Pereira, the 38-year-old Brazilian, reclaimed his aura of invincibility and the light heavyweight belt in spectacular fashion, knocking out the 33-year-old Russian Magomed Ankalaev in the first round. The decisive victory avenged Pereira’s March loss of the title, which he had dropped by unanimous decision. Given Pereira’s enormous star power, the rematch, held in Las Vegas, was viewed as critical to the sport’s future.
The action kicked off in front of a clearly pro-Pereira crowd at T-Mobile Arena. Within seconds, ‘Poatan’ dropped the champion, unleashing elbows from the top and scoring a TKO in under a minute. Magomed Ankalaev seemed baffled by the Brazilian’s pressure and relentless pace. Alex Pereira’s right hand sent the former champion crashing down, and the Russian could not escape as Pereira rained down finishing strikes, cementing the victory with his infamous emote.
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Why was the result so different this time? The former kickboxer revealed that injuries had reduced him to 40 percent in the first fight. This time, Alex Pereira unleashed the force that earned him 10 of his 12 career knockout victories. The fight showcased why he remains one of MMA’s most dangerous fighters.
Before the bout, Ankalaev’s coach, Sukhrab Magomedov, had expressed little concern about Pereira’s threat. He dismissed the Brazilian’s speed and knockout power. “He’s an old kickboxer,” Magomedov said. “He has no speed. Alex, he has a punch, but not the kind that can really knock you out.” Clearly, Alex Pereira had the last laugh, possibly forcing Buffer to reinstate his renowned title the next time he makes an announcement.
Imago
NEW YORK CITY, NY – NOVEMBER 12: Alex Pereira looks on in his Middleweight title fight against Israel Adesanya during the UFC 281 event at Madison Square Garden on November 12, 2022 in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages) (Louis Grasse / SPP)
The rematch not only settled the long-running dispute between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev, but it also reminded the world of the Brazilian‘s unrivaled star power in the light heavyweight division. With a first-round knockout and a renewed sense of invincibility, ‘Poatan’ has officially returned to the top. So, what’s next for him now?
Old rival awaits Alex Pereira for a trilogy fight
The energy in the arena didn’t fade after Alex Pereira’s first-round knockout of Magomed Ankalaev; for one fighter, it only intensified. Jiri Prochazka, fresh off his own great victory over Khalil Rountree Jr., watched the main event with anticipation. His eyes told the story: whoever won the fight would soon face him, and he was ready.
Prochazka’s performance earlier in the night was more than just a win; it was a message. Power, precision, and control were on full display, reminding fans and fighters alike why he is still a top contender. With the intensity he displayed, it was evident that he believed a fight against Alex Pereira or Ankalaev would drive him to give his all, and he was ready for the task.
Speaking with Joe Rogan following his bout, Prochazka reiterated his intentions, pointing straight at the winner of UFC 320’s main event. “I believe the next one will be one of these two who will fight for the title tonight,” he said, making it clear that he is looking forward to a title bout. And as the Brazilian won the fight, with a visibly teary-eyed ‘Denisa’ smiling from the outside, we now know that ‘The Czech Samurai’ now has a chance to finally win a fight against ‘Poatan’ as they get set for a trilogy fight.
Written by
Edited by
Yeswanth Praveen