A Better HOCO Alternative: UFC 320 Predictions
Photo from UFC.
Nathan Tran and Tirish Suresh
On October 4, 2025, you have two choices: you can either go to homecoming alone, or watch an overgrown garden gnome and a Brazilian alcoholic go at it in a caged off octagon. In our opinion, homecoming is lame. Now that we have narrowed down your choices, who is going to come out on top at UFC 320? Will it be Ankalaev or Pereira?
Nathan: (Ankalaev) If I had to put my life savings ($20) on one of these light heavyweight beasts, it would be Ankalaev. Pereira has had his hands full with his acting debut in the movie Onslaught, where he gets pieced up by a mother in a trailer park home. His fancy training footage doesn’t prove much to me either. It’s very easy to look sharp when you’re working a heavy bag or mitts. Meanwhile, Ankalaev has been putting in work in Dagestan, with no word of any side projects. Therefore, I give this fight to the Russian garden gnome by decision. Don’t get me wrong, this fight will be evenly matched to the end, as Pereira is still a really good fighter.
Tirish: (Pereira) Pereira is a knockout artist, a real beast with his striking and he's going to come in hungry after his last loss. Akalaev's known for stifling people and controlling the fight, but Pereira’s going to be super aggressive, especially if he gets backed up. He’ll unleash his left hook and those killer leg kicks. Pereira’s probably been working super hard on his takedown defense, and he knows he needs to let his hands go to get that belt back. It’s going to be a brawl but I have Pereira winning the title.
Folks, as we look at this highly anticipated rematch, the tension is palpable! We saw them go toe to toe before, and it gave us a glimpse into the strategic battle that awaits us. On one side, you have the technical precision and tactical pressure of Magomed Ankalaev. His ability to control the distance, utilize his superb wrestling, and break down opponents is a serious challenge for anyone in the light heavyweight division. If he can implement his game plan, wear down his opponent and avoid those legendary powershots, we could see him controlling the fight and potentially securing a victory. But then, you can't simply ignore the undeniable power of Alex “Poatan” Pereira. This man presents a knockout threat that is truly unique. It takes just one clean strike, one perfectly timed left hook or right hand, to change the course of the fight in an instant. After their first encounter, you can be sure he's been working tirelessly on his defence, more specifically his takedown defence. He knows what Ankalaev will try to do, and that makes him even more dangerous. If he can keep the fight upstairs and find that opening, we could witness another explosive finish.
This rematch is a fascinating clash of styles. Will the technical prowess and pressure of Ankalaev prevail, or will the terrifying power or Pereira find its mark? It’s a classic matchup, and we are all on the edge of our seats to see how it unfolds.
