UFC stars shared stoic faceoff at UFC 320 ceremonial weigh-ins
Magomed Ankalaev may be the UFC light heavyweight champion but that doesn’t mean the Las Vegas crowd is on his side.
Ahead of the first defense of his title at UFC 320, Ankalaev received an overwhelming chorus of boos after hitting the scale at the ceremonial weigh-ins where he faced off with Alex Pereira just 24 hours away from throwing down for a second time. In their first encounter, Ankalaev never allowed Pereira to get much going on the feet and he ultimately delivered a unanimous decision victory to become champion.
Ankalaev promised even more of the same and vowed all of the people cheering Pereira’s name are going to be awfully sad come Saturday night.
“The words are over,” Ankalaev shouted to the crowd. “All of these people tomorrow are going to cry!”
As for Pereira, who was dressed in full ceremonial attire including the war paint he always wears before a fight, and he was stoic while staring down Ankalaev. The bad blood between these two athletes has ratcheted up in recent weeks and Pereira is clearly excited for the chance to avenge his past loss to Ankalaev with hopes of reclaiming the UFC light heavyweight title in the end.
“I’ve got only one thing to say,” Pereira said to the crowd. “This guy’s going to pay for everything he said and everything that people said in his name. He can’t hide no more.”
The ferocious rivalry between Ankalaev and Pereira has both of them looking ready to fight immediately but the co-main event was carrying a slightly different energy.
Following a long road traveled to get to a title shot, Cory Sandhagen looks to cash in and finally realize his dream to become champion. Obviously he aims to win the belt but Sandhagen was also quick to point out that he wants the accolades that come along with beating somebody as accomplished and revered as reigning UFC bantamweight king Merab Dvalishvili.
“Merab deserves all the respect in the world but everybody keep that same energy that you’ve been talking all week where Merab’s the GOAT and that he’s unbeatable,” Sandhagen said. “Keep that energy because I want you guys to talk about all of that on Sunday after I beat this guy.”
Dvalishvili kept things simple in response as he gears up for his third title defense already in 2025.
“I’m just ready,” Dvalishvili said. “My goal is to knock him out but of course, I’m ready for whatever. I’m winning tomorrow.”
UFC 320 goes down Saturday night with the main card kicking off on ESPN+ pay-per-view starting at 10 p.m. ET.
Category: General Sports
