UFC 320: Michael Bisping on why Alex Pereira 'deserves' immediate chance to regain title against Magomed Ankalaev
By TNT UK
Updated 29/09/2025 at 23:51 GMT+1
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Alex Pereira takes on Magomed Ankalaev in UFC 320's main event on Sunday (03:00 UK time), live on TNT Sports and discovery+, hunting redemption after losing to the Russian via unanimous decision in March. TNT Sports expert Michael Bisping feels Pereira deserves the chance to immediately regain his title. "If there's anyone who deserves an immediate rematch, it has to be Alex Pereira," he said.
'A lot of pressure' on Pereira ahead of Ankalaev rematch - Bisping
Video credit: TNT Sports
Alex Pereira "deserves" his immediate rematch against Magomed Ankalaev, TNT Sports expert Michael Bisping claimed ahead of their highly-anticipated light heavyweight title fight at UFC 320.
The contrast in styles and public personas between the pair has made for an intriguing rivalry, most recently showcased in their UFC 313 meeting in March when Ankalaev wrestled the belt from Pereira with victory via unanimous decision.
Speaking on TNT Sports' UFC Fight Week, Hall of Famer Bisping said the division was always likely to revisit this enthralling chapter before moving in a different direction.
"I think it was quite clearly going to happen," Bisping said ahead of this weekend's rematch, live on TNT Sports and discovery+. "When you look at Alex Pereira and the career he's had, and everything he's done for the sport, defending the belt as many times as he did in a short frame, he's been sensational.
"Then you look at the performances as well, the knockouts that he provided, and how he thrilled audiences all over the world.
"If there's anyone who deserves an immediate rematch, it has to be Alex Pereira. Granted, one could make the argument that the first time he took on somebody his own size, that was potentially a stylistically problematic match-up for him, he lost. However, that was just the state of the light heavyweight division.
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'No other fight to make' - Pereira deserves rematch with Ankalaev
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"He did take out a lot of great fighters, one after the other, and knocked them all out in sensational fashion. He didn't really show up last time out, I'll say that. Last time against Ankalaev, I think we all felt the same way.
"He didn't really get going. He didn't take any chances. He didn't bite down on his mouthpiece and go to war.
"It was a nothing fight, and that's because of the schedule. Maybe it's because he was flying all over the world and being the belle of the ball, the man of the moment, doing appearances here and seminars there, and going to Australia. Almost every single event you went to, there was Alex Pereira, and maybe he just took his eye off the ball a little bit.
"We don't know - and that's why we're doing a rematch, because there's a lot of pressure coming on Alex Pereira this weekend. If he doesn't beat Ankalaev, I'm not saying that his title aspirations or talks are done, but it's a massive blow to the former champion."
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Ankalaev 'doesn't owe anyone anything' - Bisping
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In their last bout, Ankalaev - unbeaten since 2018 - outmaneuvered former kickboxing champion Pereira with relentless forward pressure and sharp knees to the body, wearing down the Brazilian by controlling him against the fence and forcing prolonged grappling exchanges.
Pereira, who had secured knockouts in his previous four outings, targeted Ankalaev’s left leg with repeated kicks in the opening round. However, Ankalaev responded in the second, landing a powerful left hand that left Pereira visibly staggered just moments before the bell.
Ankalaev maintained his pressure in the following round, landing knees at close range while Pereira defended against take-down attempts. His superior grappling proved decisive in the fourth, as he pinned Pereira against the fence and steadily drained his energy.
Pereira said after the loss that he knew he would face a war, claiming Ankalaev did not do too much damage to him. It sets up an exciting rematch this weekend, but the question remains whether Pereira has retained his status as the 'face of UFC'.
"His impact on this sport has been absolutely meteoric across two weight divisions," expert Nick Peet said.
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Highlights: Ankalaev beats Pereira to take title in unanimous decision
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"Multiple title defences and challenges. He's been absolutely phenomenal for the sport, but we also know he's 38 years of age now. So we were getting him at the back end of his fighting life.
"What was really interesting last week was Pereira described Ankalaev as - let's use a nice word - a less than satisfactory UFC champion. I think by that, what he means is that, since losing the belt to Ankalaev, we haven't really seen him at all.
"He's not been to events. He's not been visible. He's not been speaking to the fans. He's done what he's always done, and that's gone away, work away, and hide away doing his own thing, whereas Pereira took on that role as UFC champion and the face of the UFC.
"He's felt like he's needed to fly around the world, be visible and touchable for fans. I understand where he's coming from. This is a sport that is competing with many other sports, not just in America, but on a global scale.
"UFC is competing with pay-per-view live sports events in every single corner of the planet. You need your champion to be visible out there, promoting the brand, promoting the sports, and getting in people's faces.
"That's what Pereira did. I think he was a great champion, but maybe his time is done."
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'I knew it would be a war' - Pereira reflects on narrow defeat to Ankalaev at UFC 313
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A methodical, pressure-based tactical operator built on fundamental striking, strong clinch work, and positional dominance, Ankalaev has fed into his own reputation as an under-appreciated champion, Bisping believes.
"The world takes on all sorts, and there are all kinds of people out there," he said. "If you want to go around and soak up the moment and revel in the fame and the opportunities that come your way, that's all well and good.
"But the reality is that Ankalaev doesn't owe anybody anything. His job is to show up and to fight and to win those fights. He doesn't have to go to seminars.
"He doesn't have to go to events. He doesn't have to be a fan favourite. He's a quiet guy. He lives in Dagestan in the mountains and lives a very reserved lifestyle. And you know what? It's kind of refreshing to see these different kinds of personalities.
"Of course, Alex Pereira was a very different kind of personality as well, because he took over the sport, was a man of few words and couldn't even speak English, but he was certainly a fan favourite - and that was mainly because he's knocking everybody out and fighting every other weekend. Ankalaev, though, is a very different kind of guy. He's quiet.
"He's talking a little bit of trash via social media, or maybe it's his manager. We don't know. But he doesn't owe that to anyone.
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'My dream is on my waist!' - Ankalaev says 'plan worked' after dethroning Pereira
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"All he has to do is show up on the night and beat the man in front of him. And the reality is, Alex Pereira can call him an awful champ. He can talk badly about his range.
"But he did beat him, and he did beat him quite soundly. And Alex Pereira is not under pressure because he has achieved everything that somebody wants to achieve when they become a fighter. When they decide I'm going to do this for a living, they want to become a champion.
"They want to secure financial freedom and maybe to a lesser extent, you want to be remembered. You want to leave your mark on the sport. Pereira's done all of those things.
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"He's been wildly successful. He's made millions and millions of dollars. He will be in the Hall of Fame for sure, and he's done it in record time.
"So there's no pressure like that. But in terms of the ego side of things, in terms of proving to himself - because that's what we as fighters really want to prove - you want to look that man in the eye and say, I can beat you in a fight.
"Simple as that. He's under pressure in that regard, because if he doesn't get that job done on Saturday night, then I don't think he's going to get a third shot anytime soon."
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