UFC 320 Delivers Thrilling Main Card Amid Mediocre Prelims

UFC 320 showcased a thrilling main card on September 30, 2023, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, effectively overshadowing a lackluster preliminary slate. The event raised questions about the future of some fighters, particularly whether Alex Pereira‘s best days were behind him and if Merab Dvalishvili could face a real challenge from Cory Sandhagen. While the undercard failed to excite fans, the five-fight pay-per-view portion delivered explosive performances that left a lasting impression.

Pereira Takes Revenge Against Ankalaev

In a highly anticipated rematch, Pereira faced Magomed Ankalaev, who had previously dethroned him as the light heavyweight champion in March. This time, Pereira made a statement, defeating Ankalaev by first-round TKO in just 80 seconds. From the opening bell, Pereira demonstrated his intent, landing a powerful right hand that sent Ankalaev to the canvas. A relentless barrage of elbows and punches followed, culminating in a decisive victory that reaffirmed Pereira’s status as one of the sport’s most formidable competitors.

Procházka’s Comeback Against Rountree

The co-main event featured an exhilarating clash between Khalil Rountree Jr. and Jiří Procházka. The fight saw Rountree initially assert dominance, landing significant strikes in the first two rounds. However, Procházka’s resilience shone through as he transformed into an offensive powerhouse in the third round. With an explosive left hook, he knocked Rountree out cold, securing a victory that demonstrated his unpredictable fighting style and earned him an A- grade for the performance.

Dvalishvili successfully defended his UFC bantamweight championship against Sandhagen in a fight that revealed the challenger’s limitations. Dvalishvili’s relentless cardio and improved striking overwhelmed Sandhagen, who struggled to keep pace throughout the five-round bout. The unanimous decision victory solidified Dvalishvili’s place among the sport’s elite, as he continues to prove himself as a dominant force in the bantamweight division.

While the main card excelled, the preliminary fights fell short of expectations. Austin Vanderford faced Ramiz Brahimaj, resulting in a second-round submission that failed to captivate fans. Brahimaj’s performance, while effective, highlighted the disparity in action during the early stages of the event.

The prelims featured several mismatches, including a fight between Ateba Gautier and Tre’ston Vines. Gautier dominated his opponent, securing a first-round TKO, but the lack of competitiveness in the fight raised concerns about match-making strategies.

Fights like the one between Daniel Santos and JooSang Yoo provided moments of excitement, with Santos emerging victorious by second-round TKO. However, bouts such as Edmen Shahbazyan versus Andre Muniz and Jahaziel Soriano against Veretennikov failed to deliver the anticipated action, leaving fans longing for the intensity of the main card.

Despite the subpar preliminaries, UFC 320’s main card was a resounding success. Pereira avenged his earlier loss, Dvalishvili showcased his championship caliber, and Procházka proved his ability to overcome adversity. As UFC continues to build its roster and match cards, the focus will remain on creating competitive bouts that engage the audience and highlight the sport’s elite talent.