UFC 320 boasted two exciting title fights on its five-fight main and 14-fight total card. Four of the five fights on the main card ended with a finish. In the main event, Magomed Ankalaev lost his light heavyweight title when he was quickly defeated by Alex Pereira. In the co-main event, Cory Sandhagen was unsuccessful in his attempt to dethrone UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili. The people’s main event featured a Fight of the Night-winning show as Jiri Prochazka rallied late and stopped Khalil Rountree Jr in the final round. Lots of ranked fighters to matchup this week on this PPV edition of losers matchmaker.
Magomed Ankalaev
Alex Pereira took just 80 seconds to stop Magomed Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 320 for the UFC light heavyweight title. Alex entered the fight ranked at #1 so Ank won’t fall far. An immediate rematch is unlikely after the definitive finish, but Magomed could reasonably expect a rematch after one, maximum two, victories (Yes, even though Ankalaev is 12-2-1, 1 NC in the UFC).
A good next matchup for Magomed would either be Khalil Rountree Jr or a rematch with Jan Blachowicz. Khalil had an excellent fight on UFC 320 and even though he was finished, his stock rose. A high-action bout against yet another striking-specialist could do a lot for Magomed especially if he could get the win. Rountree is currently ranked at #4 so it wouldn’t be that bad of a fall either, rankings-wise. Also, the timing would matchup as both fighters were finished, on the same night, though it’s worth noting Khalil sustained more damage.
Magomed could also take on Jan Blachowicz who he fought to split draw in December of 2022. It’s a rematch that would do a lot of heavy lifting for the top of the rankings at 205lbs. Jan hasn’t won since that fight, losing to Alex Pereira then Carlos Ulberg in March. But he’s still ranked at #5 in the division. A rematch would be warranted at this point as 42 year-old Jan is still a fan favorite. Either matchup could easily be a main event of a fight night card and with a finish, could produce a title shot.
Magomed’s next fight: Khalil Rountree Jr or Jan Blachowicz
Cory Sandhagen
Merab Dvalishvili defended his belt Saturday with his five round decision win over title challenger Cory Sandhagen in UFC 320’s co-main event. Cory entered the fight with a #4 ranking next to his name.
If Sean O’Malley doesn’t get booked for a rematch with top-ranked Petr Yan, that’d be a sweet fight. The two lengthy guys of the division. Cory is 5’11” with a 70″ reach while O’Malley is 5’11” with a 72″ reach. That’s a very interesting matchup that would make a lot of fight fans tune in to watch. Sandhagen is now 11-5 with the UFC and O’Malley is 10-3 with 1 NC. Sean is coming off of two consecutive losses to Merab Dvalishvili, the most recent a third-round submission back in June. They also share a common recent outcome against Marlon Vera of a decision victory. If UFC brass chooses to go this direction, it would be an absolutely massive fight. Easily a main event of a fight night of a co main/people’s main of a pay-per-view card.
Cory’s next fight: Sean O’Malley
Khalil Rountree Jr
Jiri Prochazka stopped Khalil Rountree Jr late in the pair’s fight of the night winning scrap on the main card of UFC 320 Saturday. Khalil entered the fight ranked at #4 while his opponent was ranked at #2. Devastating loss for Rountree, but he had a good showing.
For his next fight, a matchup against Magomed Ankalaev would keep him right in the mix of the top of the division. That is also a very winnable fight for Khalil, depending on which version of the Muay Thai specialist shows up on fight night. And as previously mentioned, the timing matches up. Blachowicz is also a good back up option for Khalil as Jan is ranked at #5 in the division and they’ve never scrapped. Though Blachowicz fights a tad more conservatively nowadays, a matchup like this has loss-of-consciousness written all over it.
Again, either matchup could be a co main or main event of a fight night card, or on the main card of a PPV card. Winner would be a fight or two away from a title shot.
Khalil’s next fight: Magomed Ankalaev or Jan Blachowicz
Josh Emmett
Josh Emmett was quickly submitted by Youssef Zalal on the main card of UFC 320 Saturday. Emmett entered the fight ranked at #8 in the featherweight division while his opponent was ranked at #9. Emmett has now lost three of his last four fights, he’s 10-6 with the promotion.
Good next fight for Josh would be against Giga Chikadze. Giga is currently just rounding out the featherweight rankings at #15. Despite missing weight in his last fight back in April, Giga would make an excellent matchup for Emmett. He’s also lost three of his last four fights. Giga was scheduled to fight Josh nearly two years ago but withdrew from the bout. Since that fight cancellation, Giga has lost to Arnold Allen and David Onama. Since the cancellation, Josh KO’d a now bantamweight (Bryce Mitchell), lost to Leron Murphy and was just finished by Zalal. Fight makes a lot of sense right now. Might not materialize, but this would be the best matchup for a 40-year-old Emmett to remain relevant to the elites of the division.
Josh’s next fight: Giga Chikadze
Abus Magomedov
Joe Pyfer submitted Abus Magomedov in the second round of their fight to open up the main card of UFC 320. The loss snapped a 3-fight win streak for Abus who hadn’t lost in nearly two years. Magomedov is now 4-3 with the UFC since being signed in 2022. Despite having not lost in two years, Abus slipped out of the rankings prior to his loss on Saturday.
Obviously, Magomedov needs to gain some clout and respect within the division. He’s 4-3 within the promotion with his losses coming to big names like Sean Strickland, Caio Borralho, and now Joe Pyfer. A fight against Edmen Shahbazyan would give him a tenured name that is fresh off a finish. But at the same time still an incredibly reasonable matchup for the KSW and PFL veteran. Shahbazyan stopped Andre Muniz in the first round of their bout on the undercard of UFC 320 on Saturday. Edmen is now 9-5 within the UFC and is riding a three-fight winning streak after a very rough stretch. Good feature prelim type of fight for a PPV or co-main for a Fight Night.
Abus’s next fight: Edmen Shahbazyan
