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1h ago

UFC 320: Ankalaev–Pereira 2 Set for Saturday in Las Vegas as Fight Week Sees Late Scratch and Backup Talk

Magomed Ankalaev enters as the betting favorite while Alex Pereira touts revamped preparation after saying he was only “40 percent” in their first meeting.

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Dustin Poirier appears at the UFC 318 press conference, opposite Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev facing off at the UFC 313 ceremonial weigh-in. Credit: Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC/Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Overview

  • Middleweight Ozzy Diaz withdrew due to medical issues, leaving Ateba Gautier without an opponent five days out as Petr Yan publicly pitched Ilyas Khamzin to step in.
  • Ankalaev and coach Sukhrab Magomedov forecast a more dominant showing, with the champion saying he plans to finish Pereira in the rematch.
  • Pereira says he addressed conditioning and defensive wrestling after attributing his UFC 313 loss to compromised readiness, insisting he is fully prepared this time.
  • Carlos Ulberg rose in the light heavyweight rankings after a Perth knockout and has offered to serve as backup for the main event, though no backup has been confirmed.
  • The co-main features Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cory Sandhagen for the bantamweight title, with Jiri Prochazka vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. also positioned as a key 205-pound contender bout.