UFC 320 FAQ: How a lot animosity is there between Pereira, Ankalaev?

The UFC returns to T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas this weekend for a stacked combat card that options two championship matchups, together with a extremely anticipated rematch.

UFC 320 is headlined by Magomed Ankalaev seeking to go 2-0 towards Alex Pereira after the Russian took the light-heavyweight title from the Brazilian at UFC 3013 in March. The group determined to run it again.

Although Ankalaev gained the combat on all judges’ scorecards, it was a aggressive bout. One decide had it 4 rounds to at least one (49-46) for Ankalaev however the different two had it 3-2 (48-47). Ankalaev out-landed the previous kickboxing star 94-76 in important strikes however Pereira was in a position to defend all 12 of Ankalaev’s takedown makes an attempt. 

Afterwards, Periera acknowledged that he wasn’t near being 100 per cent wholesome. In an interview with Ariel Helwani, “Poatan” confirmed that he fought by a hand damage that was important sufficient for him to ponder withdrawing from the matchup.

“I was about 40 per cent on that night and obviously it’s going to be much more this time. But if I’m only 50 per cent, that 10 per cent is going to make such a great difference. I’m going to leave no doubt for everybody,” he stated.

Pereira’s coach and former UFC light-heavyweight champ Glover Teixeira stated this week on UFC Embedded that his pupil is trying sharp and in nice form as he goals to avenge his first loss since shifting up from the middleweight division, the place he was additionally a champion.

“Anything can happen in a fight but this is definitely going to be a different fight,” Teixeira stated.

The fighters within the co-main occasion have additionally been buying and selling barbs within the leadup to their bantamweight championship matchup.

Reigning 135-pound champion Merab Dvalishvili is searching for his 14th consecutive win when he defends his belt towards Cory Sandhagen.

Dvalishvili has been saying within the build-up to this bantamweight title combat that he plans on turning into the primary fighter to knock Sandhagen out. Perhaps it’s merely gamesmanship from the champ, who boasts dominant wrestling, however the challenger with a number of highlight-reel knockouts of his personal has warned that may be a foul concept.

The first combat between Pereira and Ankalaev was mainly a decide’em with Pereira solely a slight minus-120 favorite within the days main as much as UFC 313. The rematch is a special story with Ankalaev a minus-263 favorite a number of days earlier than UFC 320 and Pereira listed as a two-to-one underdog, in response to BetMGM.

Meanwhile, Dvalishvili is predicted to retain his title, in response to the oddsmakers who’ve him listed as a sizeable minus-400 favorite. Sandhagen is roughly a three-to-one underdog at +305.

What does the complete combat card appear like?

In addition to the 2 championship fights, Saturday’s predominant card includes a pair of thrilling 205-pound contenders with Jiri Prochazka taking over Khalil Rountree Jr. Both Prochazka and Rountree Jr. have challenged for the title inside the previous 15 months, however each have been stopped by Pereira. Prochazka and Rountree Jr. are every coming off wins over former titleholder Jamahal Hill with Prochazka getting a TKO in January and Rountree Jr. a five-round unanimous resolution in June.

Former Ilia Topuria opponents meet in featherweight motion when Josh Emmett appears to be like to finish Youssef Zalal’s scorching streak. Emmett and Zalal are the one two fighters which have gone the space with Topuria, the previous undisputed featherweight champ who has since change into a titleholder at light-weight after shifting up in weight. Emmett, 40, is coming off a call loss to prime contender Lerone Murphy in April, however stays one of many hardest punchers within the division. Zalal, 29, has gained seven in a row general, together with a call over veteran Calvin Kattar in February.

Joe Pyfer kicks off the primary card towards Abusupiyan Magomedov in middleweight motion. Pyfer is searching for a 3rd consecutive win; Magomedov is searching for his fourth in a row. Pyfer expressed disappointment that he couldn’t get a end over Kelvin Gastelum his final day out however he’s all the time a menace to finish a combat with one punch.

MAIN CARD (topic to alter)

— Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira (5 rounds for light-heavyweight title)

— Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cory Sandhagen (5 rounds for bantamweight title)

— Jiri Prochazka vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.

— Josh Emmett vs. Youssef Zalal

— Abusupiyan Magomedov vs. Joe Pyfer

PRELIMINARY CARD (topic to alter)

— Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Andre Muniz

— Chris Gutierrez vs. Farid Basharat

— Daniel Santos vs. Joosang Yoo

— Macy Chiasson vs. Yana Santos                                           

— Patchy Mix vs. Jakub Wiklacz

— Punahele Soriano vs. Nikolay Veretennikov

— Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Austin Vanderford 

— Veronica Hardy vs. Brogan Walker

Will there be a dwell UFC 320 eigh-in present?

Sportsnet’s Aaron Bronsteter and former UFC fighter Diana Belbita will broadcast dwell from Las Vegas on Friday as they report the official weights for UFC 320 athletes and communicate to a few of the taking part fighters. Fans can watch the dwell weigh-in present on A-Z Eventz, Sportsnet+ and Sportsnet’s YouTube channel starting at roughly 11:55 a.m. ET / 8:55 a.m. PT.

There might be a one-pound allowance for all non-title bouts, however each Pereira and Ankalaev should weigh no heavier than 205 kilos for his or her title combat to be made official, and Dvalishvili and Sandhagen should weigh no heavier than 135 kilos.

What else is occurring throughout combat week?

Bronsteter and Belbita could have one-on-one interviews with the celebs from UFC 320 all through the week.

Media Day, Oct. 1: Official media occasions start Wednesday when taking part athletes will communicate with gathered reporters on the UFC Apex.

Pre-fight press convention, Oct. 2: A half-dozen UFC 320 predominant card athletes will take part on Thursday from the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Ankalaev, Pereira, Dvalishvili, Sandhagen, Prochazka and Rountree Jr., are all scheduled to area questions. The occasion is open to the general public and might be accessible to stream dwell on Sportsnet+ starting at roughly 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.

Ceremonial weigh-in, Oct. 3: Several hours after the official weigh-in wraps up on Friday and the athletes have begun the rehydrating course of, the fighters will sq. off with their respective opponents on the MGM Grand Garden Arena on the eve of UFC 320. This may also be accessible to stream dwell on Sportsnet+ starting at roughly 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.

The fights, Oct. 4: Live preliminary card protection from T-Mobile Arena will start on Sportsnet 360 and Sportsnet+ starting at roughly 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT with the pay-per-view predominant card set to begin at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.