The air inside the T-Mobile Arena felt thick. It was the night of UFC 320. Everyone was ready for the main event: Magomed Ankalaev versus Alex Pereira. This was a rematch. Seven months before, Ankalaev had beaten Pereira. He took Pereira’s light heavyweight belt. Tonight, the two men stood in the Octagon again.
Pereira, known as “Poatan” or “Stone Hand,” wanted his title back. Ankalaev wanted to show the world he was the real champion. But what happened next was a shock. It was a perfect, quick storm. Alex Pereira won back his championship. He did it in only 80 seconds. This stunning first-round TKO will be talked about for years.
Setting the Scene: The Scores to Settle UFC 320
To understand this victory, we must look at the first fight. At UFC 313, Ankalaev used his wrestling skills. He controlled Pereira for most of the fight. He made it a tricky, grinding fight. Pereira, who is a brilliant striker, could not find his rhythm. Ankalaev won by a clear decision.
Because of that first fight, many people thought Ankalaev would win again. The Russian champion was the heavy favorite. Most fans and experts picked him to win.
But Alex Pereira had something to say. After the first loss, he told everyone he was not well. He said he was fighting at only “40 percent” health because of an injury. No one fully believed him. For the rematch at UFC 320, Pereira was healthy. He was ready to prove his words were true. This was not about just winning; it was about getting revenge and proving his power.
The Lightning Strike: The First 60 Seconds UFC 320
When the bell rang, everything was different. The first fight saw Pereira waiting. He was looking for the perfect shot. This time, there was no waiting. Pereira walked forward right away. It used fierce pressure. He was the aggressor from the very first second.
He immediately backed Ankalaev toward the fence. This was a smart move. It stopped Ankalaev from having room to move and set up his takedowns. Pereira started throwing hard, low leg kicks. They were fast and snapping. These kicks took Ankalaev’s focus away from his head.
Then, the moment of truth came quickly. Pereira threw his signature weapon. It was a powerful overhand right hand. The punch landed clean on Ankalaev’s temple. Ankalaev was stunned. He was badly hurt by the power of the Stone Hand.
The Perfect Storm: The TKO Finish
The right hand was the key. It dropped Ankalaev to the canvas. The champion was on the floor and was in trouble. He tried to quickly cover up. He tried to shoot for a takedown out of pure panic. But it was too late.
Pereira did not let him breathe. He jumped on Ankalaev immediately. He blocked the takedown attempt with ease. Then, Pereira started to pour on the damage. He rained down heavy punches and sharp elbows from the top.
Magomed Ankalaev was trapped. He could only cover his head. He was not moving or defending himself well. The heavy blows forced the referee, Herb Dean, to act. The referee quickly stepped in and stopped the fight. The time was officially 1 minute and 20 seconds. It was a technical knockout, or TKO.
The whole arena erupted. Alex Pereira had done it. He had avenged his loss. This had regained his light heavyweight championship. He did it faster than almost anyone could have imagined.
Why the Storm Worked: Poatan’s Strategy UFC 320
Pereira’s win was not just about power. It was about a smart change in strategy. In the first fight, Ankalaev set the pace. He was able to force the fight into grappling exchanges. This kept Pereira’s striking silent.
In the rematch, Pereira made sure he set the pace. His immediate forward pressure was the genius move. It did not allow Ankalaev to get comfortable. The champion was forced to fight backward. This is never good for a fighter who likes to control the distance.
The intense pace and pressure made Ankalaev make a mistake. The Russian tried a desperate takedown when he was already hurt. This exposed his head and neck to more strikes. Pereira saw the chance and finished the job perfectly. Pereira landed 28 significant strikes to Ankalaev’s 4 strikes. The numbers tell the whole story of pure domination.
A Champion’s Vengeance
The stunning 80-second knockout at UFC 320 was one of the fastest title wins in UFC history. It was a true victory of pure, aggressive striking. Alex Pereira showed the world he is still the most dangerous power-puncher in the sport.
He is now a two-time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Pereira has silenced all the critics. His win proved that his loss at UFC 313 was a fluke, perhaps due to injury. The Stone Hand once again smashed through a top-level rival. This victory cements Alex Pereira’s legacy. He is truly one of the most exciting and dominant champions in the UFC today.
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