On October 5, Las Vegas will host UFC 320 with the main event being a rematch for the light heavyweight title. Magomed Ankalaev will defend his belt against Alex Pereira, who wants to regain the crown after his defeat at UFC 313. Back then, the Dagestan native unexpectedly won all five rounds, taking the title from the Brazilian. Currently, bookmakers see the Ankalaev vs Pereira 2 odds as follows: the Russian is the favorite with odds of -230, while Pereira is the underdog (+178). These odds suggest that experts believe in Ankalaev, but “Poatan” remains an extremely dangerous opponent. Many fans note that the prediction is more difficult this time because both fighters have had excellent training camps.
Ankalaev vs Pereira 2 Predictions
All MMA experts understand that this is a clash between grappling and striking. In the first fight, Ankalaev outplayed Pereira precisely because of his grappling, constantly taking the fight to the ground and not allowing the Brazilian to turn around in the stand-up. The Dagestani skillfully dodged his opponent’s powerful swings and dragged him to the fence. Here’s what will be key in the second fight:
- Pereira’s ability to adapt to wrestling tactics.
- Ankalaev’s physical readiness for a five-round confrontation.
- The former champion’s mental state after his defeat.
Some analysts believe that the prediction in favor of Ankalaev seems logical, but Pereira is capable of surprising. Many predictions indicate that the Ankalaev vs Pereira 2 odds may change closer to the date of the fight, depending on the physical condition of the fighters. Pereira is known for his adaptability — he has already shown how he can radically change his approach between fights. For Pereira’s fans, it is not only the result that is important, but also how much character he can show, which also influences the experts’ predictions. The momentum is definitely on the side of the champion, who has a thirteen-fight unbeaten streak in the UFC. Interestingly, the odds for an early victory for the Brazilian fluctuate the most, as many believe in his knockout power.
How to Bet on Ankalaev vs Pereira 2
Boxing and MMA betting offers many opportunities for betting on this rematch. The main types of bets include the winner of the fight, the method of termination, and the total duration of the fight. The betting strategies for this fight should take into account the stylistic characteristics of the fighters. Experts note that for boxing fans, such fights provide a special kind of drama, as the technique of a striker against a wrestler always causes excitement.
Recommended betting approaches:
- Bet on Ankalayev to win by decision (odds around 1.80);
- Bet that the fight will last all five rounds;
- Bet on fewer than 2.5 knockouts during fight night.
Expert picks advise avoiding bets on an early victory, as both fighters have demonstrated excellent stamina. Bookmakers are offering bonuses of up to €200 for new customers, which makes the bet on this rematch even more attractive. Many bettors note that the odds on the duration of the fight now look much more attractive than bets on the outcome.
Magomed Ankalaev
The reigning UFC light heavyweight champion from Dagestan has an impressive record of 21-1-1. He has been in the UFC since 2018 and has only lost to Paul Craig. His statistics are impressive: he lands 57% of his strikes and defends 89% of takedown attempts.
The Russian has six knockout finishes, the fourth-best result among all light heavyweights in the UFC. He fights from a southpaw stance, executing his moves with accuracy and minimal unnecessary movement. His time control percentage is 28.3%, which indicates excellent wrestling training. Fans point out that for Ankalaev, this fight could be a key step toward becoming the undisputed leader of the division.
Alex Pereira
Pereira has a 12-3 record in MMA. “Poatan” came to MMA from kickboxing relatively late, but quickly rose to the top. He was a world champion in kickboxing, and his transition to the UFC has been fantastic.
Pereira is known for his devastating striking power – he has fought six boxing matches in addition to his kickboxing career. In the Octagon, he lands 5.1 significant strikes per minute with 54% accuracy. In less than two years, he has won the middleweight and light heavyweight belts – something few have achieved in the UFC. After his defeat at UFC 313, the Brazilian has extra motivation, and many believe he will return to the throne. Fans note that Pereira always goes all in. This makes his fights even more spectacular for those who decide to place a bet.