UFC 320 Predictions – Magomed Ankalaev vs Alex Pereira 2 Preview, Predictions And MMA Betting Odds

When Magomed Ankalaev beat Alex Pereira back in March, fans watched the Russian fighter systematically dismantle one of the UFC’s most electrifying champions. Pereira looked sluggish, off his game, and frankly nothing like the devastating knockout artist who had terrorized two weight classes. Now the UFC is rolling the dice again with Magomed Ankalaev vs Alex Pereira 2 at UFC 320. They are giving ‘Poatan’ another crack at the title in what might be the most important rematch of the year for the promotion’s business interests.

This rematch carries massive implications beyond just the belt. Ankalaev holds the championship, but he is not known for his KO magic. The UFC have given Pereira one more chance to get the KO magic back at light heavyweight.

Alex Pereira vs Magomed Ankalaev 2 Preview

Ankalaev (21-1-1 -1 NC) stands 6’3″ with a 75 inch reach, while Pereira (12-3) edges him out at 6’4″ with a 79 inch reach advantage. Pereira lands 5.00 significant strikes per minute compared to Ankalaev’s 3.66, and he does it with superior 62% accuracy vs the champion’s 52%. However, Ankalaev absorbs fewer strikes per minute at 2.46 compared to Pereira’s 3.50, showing his defensive awareness.

The grappling numbers expose Pereira’s biggest vulnerability. Ankalaev averages 0.80 takedowns per round with decent takedown defense at 87%, though his 22% takedown accuracy isn’t particularly impressive. Pereira barely attempts takedowns at 0.11 per fight, and his 78% takedown defense is noticeably weaker than the champion’s. This gap could prove decisive if Ankalaev decides to lean heavily on his Combat Sambo background and International Master of Sport credentials in amateur MMA.

Alex Pereira vs Magomed Ankalaev 2 MMA Betting Odds

The betting market strongly favors Ankalaev to repeat his victory. According to FanDuel, the Magomed Ankalaev currently sits at -240, Meanwhile Alex Pereira comes back at +200 as the underdog.

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The odds for the fight going the distance have also come out. The odds for the fight seeing the judges scorecards stand at +110. The probability of the fight ending before the final bell is higher and the odds (-140) reflect that.

Alex Pereira vs Magomed Ankalaev 2 Predictions And Picks

Picking against Pereira feels wrong given his devastating power and championship pedigree. But the first fight provided a blueprint that’s hard to ignore. Ankalaev figured him out, and nothing about that matchup felt particularly close. The Russian controlled distance, landed the cleaner shots, and made Pereira look ordinary. Unless the Brazilian brings significant adjustments and shows up in peak condition, this fight likely plays out similarly.

The key question centers on whether Pereira’s struggles in March came from poor preparation or legitimate stylistic problems. Reports suggested his travel schedule and missed UFC appearances disrupted his training camp. If that’s true, a focused and properly prepared Pereira could look dramatically different. His work with Teixeira on wrestling defense might finally show results. The problem is Ankalaev doesn’t need to wrestle if he can repeat his striking success.

Ankalaev should implement more wrestling this time rather than playing Pereira’s game again. Why take unnecessary risks on the feet when you possess superior grappling? Smart money says the champion mixes in takedowns early, controls cage position, and wears Pereira down over five rounds.

If we bet on the fight, we are going with Magomed Ankalaev to win via unanimous decision.

(All odds taken from FanDuel. Bet on the most up-to-date MMA odds, lines, and spreads with FanDuel Sportsbook)

(Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – Imagn Images)

Zaid Quraishi

mma

I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!

UFC 320 Predictions – Magomed Ankalaev vs Alex Pereira 2 Preview, Predictions And MMA Betting Odds

Alex Pereira vs Magomed Ankalaev 2 Preview

Alex Pereira vs Magomed Ankalaev 2 MMA Betting Odds

Alex Pereira vs Magomed Ankalaev 2 Predictions And Picks

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