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Alex Pereira needed only one minute and 22 seconds to regain the light heavyweight crown after stopping his Russian opponent at the Las Vegas event.

This triumph came half a year after he experienced a decision defeat to the Dagestani competitor at their previous encounter.

The 38-year-old, that had clearly taken lessons from his setback in March, did not hesitate by connecting with a powerful right hook.

The Vegas crowd exploded as the dual-weight titleholder stunned the 33-year-old with a heavy blow before referee Herb Dean called a halt following several powerful shots to the head.

"Revenge isn't a good thing. I told everyone I wasn't in a good position in our first fight but people doubted me, this evening you saw it," the champion remarked post-fight.

"I anticipated this, I saw it during our initial bout. I don't like to make excuses but I wasn't well on that occasion."

Ankalaev was aiming for his thirteenth victory in a row but could only land two out of seven significant strikes, while 25 of Pereira's 37 landed effectively.

After entering the UFC in 2021, the Brazilian has rapidly evolved into one of the promotion's biggest stars, becoming a two-division champion in just seven bouts - a record time.

Upon winning the 185-pound championship, he moved up to light heavyweight and, after claiming gold, his three defences in 2024 resulted in him being named the UFC fighter of the year alongside Ilia Topuria.

Pereira encountered his toughest challenge in fighting Ankalaev, with the Russian blocking the Brazilian from landing his huge strikes in their first fight - but this wasn't an issue the second time around, with he connecting powerfully of his opponent's head early on.

The challenger had stopped the champion's run of three successful defenses inside a year in the initial bout but the ex-titleholder now has a second defeat on his record - and his first in over seven years.

Now locked at one win apiece, a trilogy fight could determine who takes the ultimate superiority forever.

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

Despite reclaiming the light-heavyweight title he lost in March, the fighter has plans for moving up another weight class to heavyweight, as stated by promotion president the organization's head.

Before the rematch with Ankalaev, the champion and his camp told White of his desire to make the move to the heavyweight division. The UFC president told the post-event press conference: "He expressed he wants to compete in the heavyweight division but I advised to focus on tonight initially. Opportunities remain here, but we'll see."

"He has been an absolute stud for us. He competes when injured, he doesn't care. He wants to fight all challengers and advance to the heavyweight class. Many considerations to discuss following this event."

When asked what his reservations were on Pereira transitioning divisions, White answered: "He started as a middleweight - to advance two divisions in the UFC, it's not like moving up two divisions in boxing."

"I don't have reservations but he's in a division where there are still numerous opportunities."

'Machine' Merab Dvalishvili Continues to Make Mark in UFC Annals

During the featured bout, Georgia's Merab Dvalishvili earned a commanding unanimous decision over the USA's his opponent to defend his bantamweight world title.

This victory was the Georgian's 14th consecutive win - taking him up to third place for most consecutive victories in UFC history. Only two other fighters, on fifteen, and Anderson Silva with 16 rank above.

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

"I'm like a machine. I keep getting better. My training is intense. I feel like I'm just beginning, I'm only getting started and I continuously develop," said the champion after the bout.

The Georgian, 34, was in control of the bout on the offensive and consistently kept Sandhagen on the defensive.

Despite the champion's self-assurance and impressive victory run, the challenger was not intimidated and connected with 23 out of 48 power shots in the opening round, but the momentum shifted two minutes into the second round when the champion connected powerfully with a series of blows.

Sandhagen survived the onslaught but remained under pressure, with the Georgian setting a fresh organizational mark for the highest number of takedowns in a five-round fight with 20 on the way to victory.