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Alex Pereira required just under a minute and a half to recapture the light heavyweight crown after stopping his Russian opponent at UFC 320.

The triumph came seven months after he experienced a unanimous decision loss to the Dagestani fighter at UFC 313.

The 38-year-old, who had clearly taken lessons from his loss in spring, wasted no time by landing a massive right hand.

The Vegas crowd cheered loudly as the two-division champion shook the his opponent with a clubbing right hand before the official stopped the fight following a number of hard strikes to the head.

"Revenge isn't a positive motive. I explained I wasn't in a good position in our first fight but nobody listened, tonight you saw it," the champion stated following his victory.

"I expected it, I noticed during our initial bout. I avoid excuses but I wasn't 100% that night."

The Russian fighter was aiming for his 13th win consecutively but managed just two of his seven significant strikes, while 25 of Pereira's 37 found their target.

Since his UFC debut in 2021, Pereira has quickly transformed into a major attraction, becoming a two-division champion in only seven fights - a record time.

Upon winning the 185-pound championship, he transitioned to light-heavyweight and, after claiming gold, his three defences in 2024 led to him being recognized as the promotion's top competitor together with Ilia Topuria.

The champion faced his biggest test in facing his rival, with the Russian blocking the fighter from connecting with powerful shots in their initial encounter - but that was not a problem the in the rematch, with he thudding the side of his adversary's head in the opening moments.

The challenger had ended the Brazilian's run of three successful defenses within twelve months in the initial bout but the former champion now has a another loss on his record - and his first in over seven years.

Now locked at one victory each, a trilogy fight could determine who takes the bragging rights for good.

The Champion 'Wants to Fight at Heavyweight' - UFC President

Despite reclaiming the light-heavyweight title he lost in March, the fighter has plans for transitioning another weight class to heavyweight, as stated by promotion president the organization's head.

Prior to the second fight with Ankalaev, Pereira and his camp informed the president of his wishes to advance to heavyweight. The UFC president told the post-event press conference: "They say they want to fight at heavyweight but I said to focus on this fight first. There are still fights here, but we'll consider."

"He has been an outstanding performer for us. He competes when injured, it doesn't matter to him. He wants to fight everybody and move up to the heavyweight class. Many considerations to talk about after tonight."

Upon questioning what his concerns were on Pereira transitioning divisions, White responded: "He was a middleweight - to advance two divisions in the organization, it's not like jumping up two weight classes in boxing."

"I don't have reservations but he's in a division where there remain numerous opportunities."

'The Machine' Merab Dvalishvili Continues to Make Mark in UFC Annals

During the featured bout, The Georgian Merab Dvalishvili claimed a commanding unanimous decision over the USA's his opponent to defend his bantamweight world title.

The win was the Georgian's 14th in a row - elevating him to third for most consecutive victories in UFC history. Just two other fighters, on fifteen, and another legend with 16 rank above.

The officials scored the bout 49-45 49-45 49-46 in support of the champion.

"I am a machine. I continuously improve. I train hard. I feel like my journey is starting, I'm only getting started and I keep learning," said Dvalishvili after the bout.

Dvalishvili, 34, spent the entirety of the bout on the front foot and consistently kept Sandhagen on the defence.

Despite Dvalishvili's confidence and impressive victory run, the challenger was not overawed and connected with 23 out of 48 power shots in the first round, but the tide turned during the second round when the Georgian landed heavy with a series of blows.

Sandhagen survived the onslaught but continued to be dominated, with the Georgian setting a new UFC record for the highest number of takedowns in a five-round fight with 20 on the path to winning.