Magomed Ankalaev has never been one to get dragged into unnecessary drama, but with UFC 320 looming, the light heavyweight champion made sure his message was heard loud and clear. After Alex Pereira launched a blistering verbal assault — calling Ankalaev a “sh*t champion” and accusing him of hiding at the UFC Performance Institute — Ankalaev fired back with cold precision, promising something fans have been craving since their first meeting: “I’ll finish him this time.”

The exchange has set the tone for what is shaping up to be one of the most combustible rematches of the year. Their first fight at UFC 313 in March was a five-round masterclass from Ankalaev, who controlled the pace, neutralized Pereira’s power, and left no doubt in the judges’ minds. Still, the mere fact Pereira walked away with his pride intact and the ability to knock anyone out with one clean shot means the rematch is far from a foregone conclusion. Ankalaev’s latest comments, however, show he’s intent on removing any doubt once and for all.

From Respectful Champion to Relentless Finisher

Ankalaev has built his reputation on methodical dominance. The Dagestani’s style blends technical striking, pressure, and a grappling base that suffocates opponents who try to impose their own game. Against Pereira, he showcased an ability to mix ranges, to force uncomfortable positions, and to grind down a man whose biggest weapon is explosive finishing power. Where their first fight ended in a decisive decision for Ankalaev, the champion’s latest vow signals a shift from control to urgency: he wants a definitive finish.

“I’ll finish him this time,” Ankalaev said in his response to Pereira’s jab, per his social media post and subsequent interviews. The line is more than bravado; it’s a promise rooted in the way he and his camp have approached training. Sources close to Ankalaev report heavier emphasis on pressure striking, clinch dominance, and ground-and-pound sequences designed to open up finish opportunities — not just to win rounds.

Pereira’s Provocation: Mind Games or Mask for Doubt?

Alex Pereira’s recent behavior has been uncharacteristically loud. The former two-division champion, known more for stoicism and ice-cold walkouts than ranting, publicly accused Ankalaev of avoiding him at the UFC Performance Institute and called him a “sh*t champion” in a viral reaction video. The intent was clear: to get under Ankalaev’s skin, to disrupt his focus, and to prove that Pereira is back in the mental space that once made him unstoppable.

Psychologically, taunts can work two ways. They can destabilize an opponent, or they can light a fire under them. In this case, Pereira’s words appear to have done the latter. Ankalaev’s vow to finish Pereira is a direct rebuttal — an answer that strips the drama back to the Octagon where actions matter more than words.

Tactical Adjustments: How Ankalaev Plans to Close the Show

Ankalaev’s path to a finish over Pereira lies in exploiting a known vulnerability: when Pereira cannot create space and rhythm, his power is blunted. In their first fight Ankalaev mixed takedowns and clinch work with short, punishing strikes that prevented Pereira from finding his range. For the rematch, Ankalaev’s camp reportedly focused on a few specific wrinkles:

• Increase Pressure: Rather than maintaining a conservative distance, Ankalaev plans to crowd Pereira more often, forcing the Brazilian into uncomfortable exchanges and clinch scenarios where his knockout power is less effective.

• Chain Wrestling: Subtle level changes and well-timed trips can take Pereira off his feet and open up ground-and-pound opportunities — the most obvious path to a stoppage.

• Front Foot Volume: Ankalaev wants to out-volume Pereira early, creating cumulative damage that becomes finishable in later rounds rather than relying solely on single-big-shot outcomes.

If executed correctly, those adjustments could turn a points victory into a stoppage — a fact Ankalaev clearly relishes.

Pereira’s Counterplan: Power, Timing, and Redemption

Despite Ankalaev’s confidence, Alex Pereira remains one of the most dangerous punchers in MMA history. Even when he’s been controlled, one perfectly timed counter can flip a fight in an instant. Pereira and his coaches — including Glover Teixeira and Plinio Cruz — have emphasized tactical tweaks: better takedown defense, sharper footwork, and a more disciplined approach to pace. Pereira insists the first fight was an aberration and that he’s reconnected with the “savage” side of his mentality that fans last saw during his title runs.

Pereira’s strategy will likely hinge on creating the kind of clean, explosive moments that have defined his career. If he lands early and often, Ankalaev’s promise of a finish will be put to the test.

High Stakes for Both Men

The stakes for UFC 320 are enormous. For Ankalaev, a second dominant win — preferably a finish — cements his legitimacy as champion and removes any lingering doubt that he merely had Pereira’s number on a given night. For Pereira, a loss would not only be a title defeat but potentially a career inflection point; multiple losses to the same opponent at this stage of his career could force a reconsideration of weight class and long-term trajectory.

Fans, pundits, and former fighters have weighed in. Some credit Ankalaev’s calm, technical approach as the future of the division, while others remain convinced Pereira’s power always leaves the door open for an upset. The verbal back-and-forth has only heightened anticipation, ensuring UFC 320 will be a marquee event with real implications for the light heavyweight landscape.

What a Finish Would Mean

If Ankalaev follows through on his promise and finishes Pereira, the result would shift the narrative from a technical passerby to an outright dominator. A finish changes legacy conversations — it’s not just that Ankalaev beat Pereira again, it’s that he stopped him. That outcome would not only silence critics but also create momentum for potential superfights, pound-for-pound talks, and long-term title defenses that could define the division for years.

Conversely, if Pereira counters Ankalaev’s vow with a knockout of his own, the rematch would be remembered as an instant classic and the perennial reminder in combat sports: never count a knockout artist out.

The Build-Up to Las Vegas: Fire, Focus, and Fury

As UFC 320 approaches, the trash talk may escalate, but both camps appear more engaged in tactical fine-tuning than pure theatrics. Ankalaev’s promise — “I’ll finish him this time” — is the soundbite that will haunt Pereira through fight week and into the cage. Whether it proves prophetic or merely promotional will depend on who executes their game plan under pressure in Las Vegas.

One thing is certain: this rematch is personal, high-stakes, and impossible to predict. Fans will tune in expecting fireworks, and the light heavyweight division may never be the same afterward.