Imagine the roar of the crowd as a legendary fighter steps back into the octagon, hungry for redemption—could this be the moment Alex Pereira turns the tables and snatches back his throne? That's the electrifying prediction from none other than Dricus du Plessis, and it's got the MMA world buzzing ahead of UFC 320. But here's where it gets controversial: du Plessis is betting on the underdog in a rematch where the champion is heavily favored. Stick around, because this isn't just about punches and takedowns—it's a deep dive into strategy, comeback stories, and what might just be a game-changer for one of the sport's most enigmatic stars.
Alex Pereira isn't flying solo this weekend; he's got a heavyweight ally in his corner, metaphorically speaking. On Saturday, Pereira squares off against Magomed Ankalaev for the light heavyweight championship in the headline bout of UFC 320. This is a sequel to their clash at UFC 313 back in March, where Ankalaev dethroned "Poatan" and claimed the title. As rematches often go, Ankalaev enters as the clear favorite, but former middleweight champ Dricus du Plessis is firmly in Pereira's camp for this showdown.
"It's a real challenge," du Plessis shared during an appearance on Fight Forecast (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSxQWJ-1mj8). "I know Pereira stepped back from the grind for a bit, and that's a smart move. He was fighting way too frequently, in my opinion. Sure, fans love seeing athletes in action all the time, and I'm all for that energy, but he was pushing it to the limit—it's remarkable, really. That's exactly why I consider Pereira one of the greatest combat athletes ever. He burst onto the scene with limited background and just demolished everyone, including the elite!
"Now, Ankalaev is a powerhouse—tall, muscular, and in that initial bout, he had all the right counters to outmaneuver Pereira, executing a clever game plan. It wasn't the flashiest style, but it was effective. The key was keeping Pereira at bay to avoid those devastating strikes.
"I've checked out Pereira's recent training videos, and let me tell you, he looks intimidating. He seems fired up, and I'm curious how that defeat has fueled him. He's bounced back from losses before and regained his title, but this one's huge. Ankalaev, meanwhile, carries the swagger of a reigning champion. Still, I'm siding with Pereira here."
Du Plessis shares a bit of personal history with Pereira. After securing his own title in a return match against Sean Strickland, "DDP" publicly challenged Poatan (https://www.mmafighting.com/2025/2/9/24362057/dricus-du-plessis-wants-alex-pereira-fight-but-khamzat-chimaev-is-first-i-think-he-deserves-a-hiding), who was coaching Strickland. Yet, despite that tension, du Plessis spoke highly of Pereira's readiness for UFC 320, praising how his squad has adapted to counter Ankalaev.
"I believe he's out to make a statement," du Plessis explained. "He's not a rookie anymore; his prime might be winding down, so watching his next moves, win or lose, will be thrilling. But honestly, from what I've seen in his prep, he's more focused and aggressive than ever.
"His striking has always been top-notch, no doubt. The intrigue lies in the grappling. It wasn't just about being taken to the ground; he was overwhelmed up close. For a puncher like him, that's fixable—'How do I avoid getting pinned?' Work on those clinch exchanges, using elbows and knees to your advantage. He needs to stay off the cage, and I think they've drilled that enough. Plus, his break from competing was beneficial; sometimes, a pause reignites that passion."
Beyond Pereira's enhancements, there's a risk Ankalaev might be overreaching. He dominated the stand-up in their first encounter, but now he's vocal about trading blows again. Du Plessis warns that could be a misstep.
"Ankalaev keeps saying he'll slug it out with him. I don't think that's wise," du Plessis cautioned. "Really, it's not a good plan. I doubt this goes the full five rounds. I'm wagering on Pereira to win back the title. That's my call."
UFC 320 unfolds this Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
TOP STORIES
Warning. Matt Brown delivers a stern caution (https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/406328/matt-brown-issues-harsh-warning-to-fighters-after-wanderlei-silva-suffered-brutal-knockout-in-post-fight-brawl) to competitors following Wanderlei Silva's savage knockout in an after-fight altercation.
Poatan. Alex Pereira fires back (https://www.mmafighting.com/latest-news/406474/alex-pereira-responds-to-magomed-ankalaevs-coach-possible-move-to-heavyweight) at Magomed Ankalaev’s coach regarding a potential shift to heavyweight.
DWCS. Four deals handed out after more explosive endings (https://www.mmafighting.com/latest-news/406469/dwcs-season-9-week-8-results-four-contracts-awarded-after-another-night-of-violent-finishes) in Week 8 of the Contender Series.
Suspensions. Wanderlei Silva and Acelino Freitas face extended bans (https://www.mmafighting.com/boxing/406445/wanderlei-silva-acelino-freitas-lengthy-suspensions-post-fight-brawl-spaten-fight-night) due to the post-fight scuffle.
Speech. Dana White opposes stricter rules on divisive comments (https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/406343/dana-white-disagrees-on-crackdown-for-unpopular-speech-in-the-wake-of-charlie-kirks-assassination) following Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
Off. Artem Lobov versus Zubaira Tukhugov pulled from the PFL lineup (https://www.mmafighting.com/pfl/406403/artem-lobov-vs-zubaira-tukhugov-scrapped-from-pfl-card-in-dubai-at-last-minute) in Dubai at the eleventh hour.
VIDEO STEW
Alex Pereira press conference.
UFC 320 Embedded, episode 2.
Alex Pereira's fight week vlog.
Sean O’Malley redeems a $1 million check.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Contender Series contract reveal.
Updates from UFC 320.
Derek Brunson calls for a spot.
Marcus McGhee's workout sessions.
Could be a tactical error though. Judges might think it’s yours.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I'm still on the fence about picking a winner for Saturday's main event. Sure, Ankalaev pulled off the upset last time, but that bout was tighter than many recall, and Pereira didn't seem at his peak—perhaps due to fatigue or other factors. And this is the part most people miss: Is Pereira past his best now? His recent outings have been lackluster, and burnout is a genuine concern in this demanding sport. For beginners wondering, burnout in MMA refers to when fighters compete too often without adequate recovery, leading to diminished performance, much like how athletes in other sports might overtrain.
Regardless, this rematch has me hooked. What do you think—will Pereira's renewed intensity overcome Ankalaev's championship edge, or is du Plessis's bold prediction just wishful thinking? And here's a controversial twist: Some argue that Pereira's age and past injuries make this a risky gamble, potentially setting him up for another letdown. Do you agree, or is his striking prowess enough to defy the odds? Share your takes in the comments—let's debate!
If there's a topic you'd love to see covered in the Morning Report, reach out to @AlexanderKlee (https://x.com/AlexanderKLee) or @JedKMeshew (https://x.com/JedKMeshew) on Twitter. Don't forget to follow MMAFighting on Twitter (https://x.com/MMAFighting), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mmafightingdotcom/?hl=en), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@MMAFightingonSBN), TikTok (https://tiktok.pxf.io/c/482924/2160485/27618?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40mmafighting), and like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/mmafighting/).
