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The Brazilian fighter required just under a minute and a half to recapture the light-heavyweight world championship after overcoming his Russian opponent at UFC 320.

The victory came about half a year after he experienced a unanimous decision loss to the Dagestani competitor at their previous encounter.

The 38-year-old, that had evidently learned from his loss in spring, acted immediately by landing a massive right hook.

The audience in Las Vegas exploded as the dual-weight titleholder stunned the his opponent with a powerful strike before the official called a halt following a number of powerful shots to the head.

"Vengeance isn't a positive motive. I told everyone I wasn't in a good position last time but people doubted me, now you saw it," Pereira stated post-fight.

"It didn't surprise me, I observed during our initial bout. I avoid excuses but I was unwell on that occasion."

The Russian fighter was seeking his 13th win in a row but connected with only two of his seven significant strikes, while 25 of Pereira's 37 connected successfully.

After entering the UFC in 2021, the Brazilian has quickly transformed into a major attraction, becoming a dual-weight titleholder in just seven bouts - a historic achievement.

After capturing the 185-pound championship, Pereira moved up to light heavyweight and, following his title win, his three defences in 2024 led to him being recognized as the promotion's top competitor alongside another champion.

Pereira faced his biggest test in fighting Ankalaev, with the opponent preventing the fighter from connecting with powerful shots in their first fight - but that was not a problem the second time around, with Pereira connecting powerfully of his opponent's head in the opening moments.

Ankalaev had ended the Brazilian's streak of three title defences within twelve months in the initial bout but the former champion now has a second defeat on his record - and his first in over seven years.

Currently tied at one win apiece, a third encounter could determine who takes the ultimate superiority permanently.

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

Although he recaptured the 205-pound championship he lost in spring, Pereira has plans for transitioning another weight class to heavyweight, as stated by UFC chief the organization's head.

Prior to the second fight with his opponent, Pereira and his team informed White of his intention to make the move to heavyweight. White told the post-fight news conference: "He expressed he wants to compete in the heavyweight division but I said to focus on this fight first. Opportunities remain in this division, but we'll consider."

"He has been an exceptional athlete for us. He competes when injured, he doesn't care. He seeks to face everybody and move up to the heavyweight class. There's a lot of things to talk about following this event."

Upon questioning what his reservations were on Pereira making the jump, the president answered: "He started as a 185-pound fighter - to jump up two weight classes in the organization, it differs from jumping up two weight classes in boxing."

"I'm not concerned but he's in a division where there remain so many fights."

'The Machine' Dvalishvili Persists to Make Mark in UFC Annals

In the co-main event, The Georgian the bantamweight champion earned a commanding unanimous decision over the American his opponent to defend his 135-pound championship.

The win was the Georgian's 14th consecutive win - taking him up to third for most consecutive victories in UFC history. Only Islam Makhachev and Kamaru Usman, on fifteen, and another legend with sixteen rank above.

The officials judged the fight with wide margins in support of the titleholder.

"I'm like a machine. I continuously improve. I train hard. I feel like my journey is starting, I'm only getting started and I continuously develop," stated Dvalishvili post-fight.

The Georgian, 34, spent the entirety of the bout on the offensive and consistently kept his opponent on the defensive.

Although the champion's self-assurance and impressive victory run, the challenger was not intimidated and connected with 23 of his 48 power shots in the first round, but the tide turned during the second stanza when the Georgian connected powerfully with a series of blows.

Sandhagen endured the attack but continued to be dominated, with the Georgian establishing a new UFC record for the highest number of takedowns in a five-round fight with 20 on the path to winning.