Alex Pereira def. Magomed Ankalaev (c) – (TKO, Round 1, 1:20)
Oh my goodness, Alex Pereira is back with a bang!
He instantly went on the attack forcing the issue and keeping the champion on his toes and within one minute delivered a stunning right hand that caught Ankalaev that made the Russian dive for the takedown, allowing for Poatan to deliver brutal ground and pound hammer fists and elbows for the win.
Pure dominance, intent and execution. His next challenger is in for a long night…
Merab Dvalishvili (c) def. Cory Sandhagen – (Unanimous Decision, 49-45 x2, 49-46)
The fight commenced with Merab trying to pressure Sandhagen to which “The Sandman“ found easy counters that gave him the early advantage. The first takedown attempted came just before the 2 minute mark from the champion but the challenger was able to get to the fence to defend for a while before the second took him down for a split moment. The rest of the round saw, Sandhagen easily out strike the champion.
Round two, Dvalishvili almost instantly went for the takedown, but Cory’s defence was incredible and was able to wall walk his way back up. What came next was shocking. Merab caught the Cory with two right hand’s while pressing forward, dazing the challenger and almost stopping the fight earlier than anyone expected. The rest of the round was pure domination from the champion, continuously taking down the American, making a statement that this belt was his…
Halfway through the bout, Dvalishvili seemed as if he was playing with Sandhagen, playing him at his own striking game but also mixing in takedown attempts. The pace, the pressure, the takedowns. The champion had implemented his own stamp on the contest and despite the slow start, it appeared as if the fight was already over with two rounds to go.
In the penultimate round, the champion started as the previous two rounds finished. Neutralising Sandhagen’s best weapons and while delivering his own. Despite Sandhagen’s corner delivering messages to not back up, he found his best strikes while backing up and towards the end of the round found some success with counter shots. Cory’s best round since the first but was it enough to win it?
Final round saw the pace instantly pick up from both men with wild exchanges leading the dance but when the pace picks up, that’s when the champ is best. The consistent takedowns, pressure and trash talk was getting to Sandhagen and to his credit was trying everything to swing the tide in his favour but the champion proved why he’s the champion and the greatest bantamweight the sport has ever seen. Pure dominance. Who beats him?
Jiri Prochazka def. Khalil Rountree – (KO, Round 3, 3:04)
As expected a battle for the ages…
In the first minute both evidently respected each other with no strikes being thrown but after that, the war commenced both men connected with each other but Rountree definitely got the better of the first round. Prochazka seemed to struggle with the timing and patience of Rountree.
In round two, Rountree opened up with a 1-2 to which Prochazka responded with a spinning elbow. Again, Rountree throughout the round got the better of each exchange. He’d step off to an angle then strike whereas Jiri was flat footed and slow despite his unorthodox movement. There was a clear difference in the technique and speed between the two despite the Czech fighter having a better round.
Rountree came out all guns blazing in round three and Prochazka tried to match his pace which created a war. Both men put on the round of the year and the tide turned. Continuous pressure making the fight awkward and Jiri’s fight. Rountree looked a shade of his round one self. He was fading and Jiri was growing in confidence. Rountree tried to keep up but he couldn’t anymore. A three punch combo put Rountree out cold face first.
Wow! Who’s next for the title? Prochazka or Ulberg?
Youssef Zalal def. Josh Emmett – submission, Round 1, 1:38)
Within the first minute of round one Zalal was able to take Emmett down after frustrating him with his elite movement on the feet and the difference between skill on the ground was evident. Within moments, Zalal was able to lock in an arm-bar to which the veteran verbally tapped out.
We have a new contender in the featherweight division.
Joe Pyfer def. Abus Magomedov – submission (rear-naked choke, Round 2, 1:46)
To start the main card we got an exciting matchup between Abus Magomedov and Joe Pyfer.
In a fight that was expected to mainly be on the feet, Pyfer shockingingly shot for a takedown in round one where Magomedov was able to counter and dominate the near-enough the entire round on the ground. In the last 30 seconds we saw a bit of the potential danger that Pyfer has on the feet…
Round two, Pyfer started how he finished round one. Instantly pressuring and within moments knocking down Magomedov. After attempting an arm triangle that was well-defended by the Russian, Pyfer eventually secured a rear naked choke that ended the fight.
Prelims
Veronica Hardy def. Brogan Walker – Unanimous Decision (30-27 × 3)
Hardy extended her winning streak with a composed, technical showing. She controlled range from the opening bell, landing cleaner combinations and dictating pace. Walker struggled to close distance or build momentum, while Hardy’s precision and lateral movement kept her firmly in command across all three rounds.
Punahele Soriano def. Nikolay Veretennikov – Unanimous Decision (30-27 × 3)
Soriano turned in one of the most disciplined performances of his career, blending measured striking with solid defence. He maintained range, picked his moments, and shut down Veretennikov’s attempts to push forward. A complete and mature display that earned him every round on the judges’ scorecards.
Yana Santos def. Macy Chiasson – Unanimous Decision (29-28 × 3)
Despite Chiasson missing weight by a pound and a half, Santos kept calm and tactical. She used clinch control and counter-striking to offset Chiasson’s reach, working efficiently inside. The Russian veteran took two clear rounds and looked composed throughout, earning a much-needed decision win.
Farid Basharat def. Chris Gutierrez – Unanimous Decision (30-27 × 3)
Basharat once again demonstrated why he’s considered a rising contender. He dictated distance behind a sharp jab, mixed in low kicks and straight counters, and consistently frustrated Gutierrez’s rhythm. All three judges scored it cleanly in his favour — a professional, patient performance that keeps Basharat unbeaten in the UFC.
Daniel Santos def. Yoo Joo-sang – TKO (Punches, Round 2, 0:21)
Santos erupted out of his corner to start the second round, overwhelming Yoo with a furious flurry that left the referee no choice but to step in. Yoo had early success with leg kicks, but Santos’ relentless forward pressure and accuracy flipped the fight in seconds. A blistering finish that lit up the prelims.
Ramiz Brahimaj def. Austin Vanderford – Submission (Guillotine Choke, Round 2, 2:36)
After hurting Vanderford with a head kick, Brahimaj pounced on a scrambling takedown attempt and locked in a tight guillotine choke. The sequence was a perfect example of his fight IQ — transitioning seamlessly from striking to grappling. Vanderford tapped quickly, giving Brahimaj another highlight finish for his résumé.
Edmen Shahbazyan def. André Muniz – KO/TKO (Round 1, 4:58)
In one of the most dramatic moments of the night so far, Shahbazyan landed a huge left hook just as the opening round was about to end. Muniz was sent crashing to the mat, and Shahbazyan finished with ground-and-pound for the stoppage with only two seconds on the clock. A vital and emphatic win that reignites his career trajectory.
Jakub Wiklacz def. Patchy Mix – Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
The night opened with a tactical, high-paced grappling battle. Wiklacz edged out the former Bellator champion with crisp striking and well-timed counters, while Mix pushed forward but struggled to secure control positions for long. The split decision reflected just how competitive the contest was — but Wiklacz impressed on debut with his composure and balance.
Ateba Gautier def. Tre’ston Vines – KO/TKO (Round 1, 1:41)
Originally set to face Ozzy Diaz, Gautier instead met short-notice replacement Treston Vines — and wasted no time making a statement. The Cameroonian middleweight used his reach advantage to keep Vines at bay early, then uncorked a vicious right hand midway through the first round that sent the newcomer crashing to the canvas. A few precise follow-up shots sealed the stoppage.
Gautier, now 9-1, continues his streak of first-round finishes and looks increasingly like one of the division’s most dangerous rising prospects.
UFC 320 was arguably the best UFC card of the year. Aspinall vs Gane next…
Featured image: (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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