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Alex Pereira required just 82 seconds to reclaim the light heavyweight title after defeating his Russian opponent at the Las Vegas event.

This victory occurred seven months after he suffered a decision defeat to the Russian fighter at UFC 313.

Pereira, that had evidently learned from his loss in March, acted immediately by connecting with a massive right hook.

The audience in Las Vegas erupted as the two-division champion stunned the 33-year-old with a clubbing right hand before referee Herb Dean stopped the fight following a number of powerful shots to the head.

"Revenge is never a good thing. I told everyone I was compromised last time but people doubted me, now it was evident," Pereira commented after his win.

"I anticipated this, I observed in the first fight. I'm not one for excuses but I wasn't well on that occasion."

Ankalaev was seeking his 13th win consecutively but connected with only two of his seven significant strikes, while 25 out of 37 from Pereira landed effectively.

After entering the UFC in 2021, the Brazilian has quickly transformed into a major attraction, achieving a dual-weight titleholder in just seven bouts - an unprecedented pace.

Upon winning the middleweight title, he moved up to light heavyweight and, after claiming gold, his three successful defenses in 2024 resulted in him being recognized as the promotion's top competitor alongside Ilia Topuria.

Pereira faced his biggest test in fighting his rival, with the Russian blocking the fighter from connecting with powerful shots in their initial encounter - but this wasn't an issue the in the rematch, with Pereira thudding the side of his opponent's head in the opening moments.

The challenger had stopped the champion's streak of three title defences inside a year in the initial bout but the former champion now has a second defeat on his record - and first since March 2018.

Currently tied at one win apiece, a third encounter could decide who takes the bragging rights for good.

The Champion 'Aims to Compete at Heavyweight' - UFC President

Although he recaptured the light-heavyweight title he surrendered in spring, the fighter has eyes on moving up another weight class to the heavyweight class, according to UFC chief the organization's head.

Prior to the second fight with his opponent, the champion and his team informed White of his wishes to advance to the heavyweight division. White told the post-event press conference: "They say they want to compete in the heavyweight division but I advised to focus on tonight initially. Opportunities remain here, but we'll consider."

"He has been an outstanding performer for us. He fights when he's hurt, it doesn't matter to him. He wants to fight all challengers and advance to the heavyweight class. There's a lot of things to talk about following this event."

Upon questioning what his concerns were on Pereira transitioning divisions, the president responded: "He was a middleweight - to jump up two weight classes in the organization, it differs from jumping up two weight classes in the sweet science."

"I'm not concerned but he competes in a weight class where there remain numerous opportunities."

'Machine' Merab Dvalishvili Continues to Write Name in UFC Annals

In the co-main event, Georgia's Merab Dvalishvili earned a commanding judges' decision over the American his opponent to defend his 135-pound championship.

This victory was the Georgian's 14th in a row - taking him up to third place for most consecutive victories in UFC history. Just Islam Makhachev and Kamaru Usman, on fifteen, and Anderson Silva with sixteen rank above.

The judges judged the bout 49-45 49-45 49-46 in favor of the champion.

"I am a machine. I keep getting better. My training is intense. I feel like I'm just beginning, I'm just starting and I keep learning," said the champion after the bout.

The Georgian, 34, spent the entirety of the bout on the front foot and constantly had Sandhagen on the defence.

Although Dvalishvili's confidence and impressive victory run, the challenger was not intimidated and landed 23 of his 48 power shots in the first round, but the momentum shifted two minutes into the second round when the champion connected powerfully with a series of blows.

Sandhagen endured the attack but remained under pressure, with the Georgian setting a new UFC record for the highest number of takedowns in a five-round fight with 20 on the way to victory.