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The Brazilian fighter needed only under a minute and a half to reclaim the light heavyweight world championship after stopping Magomed Ankalaev at the Las Vegas event.

This win occurred half a year after he experienced a unanimous points loss to the Russian competitor at UFC 313.

Pereira, that had clearly learned from his loss in March, wasted no time by connecting with a massive right hook.

The Vegas crowd exploded as the dual-weight titleholder stunned the 33-year-old with a heavy blow before referee Herb Dean ended the bout following a number of hard strikes to the head.

"Vengeance is never a good thing. I explained I wasn't in a good position last time but no-one believed it, now everyone witnessed," the champion remarked post-fight.

"I expected it, I saw it in the first fight. I'm not one for excuses but I was unwell that night."

Ankalaev was aiming for his thirteenth victory in a row but connected with only two of his seven significant strikes, while 25 of Pereira's 37 found their target.

Since his UFC debut in 2021, the Brazilian has quickly transformed into a major attraction, achieving a dual-weight titleholder in only seven fights - a historic achievement.

Upon winning the 185-pound championship, he transitioned to light heavyweight and, after claiming gold, his three defences in 2024 resulted in him being recognized as the promotion's top competitor together with Ilia Topuria.

The champion encountered his toughest challenge in facing his rival, with the opponent preventing the fighter from connecting with powerful shots in their first fight - but this wasn't an issue the in the rematch, with he connecting powerfully of his adversary's head in the opening moments.

Ankalaev had stopped the Brazilian's streak of three successful defenses within twelve months in the first encounter but the ex-titleholder now has a second defeat on his professional history - and his first in over seven years.

Now locked at one win apiece, a third encounter could determine who claims the bragging rights permanently.

Pereira 'Aims to Compete at Heavyweight' - UFC President

Despite reclaiming the light-heavyweight title he surrendered in March, Pereira has plans for transitioning an additional division to the heavyweight class, as stated by UFC chief the organization's head.

Before the rematch with his opponent, the champion and his camp told the president of his desire to transition to the heavyweight division. White told the post-fight news conference: "He expressed he wants to fight at heavyweight but I said to focus on this fight initially. Opportunities remain in this division, but we'll consider."

"This guy has been an exceptional athlete for us. He competes when not at 100%, he doesn't care. He seeks to face everybody and move up to heavyweight. Many considerations to talk about after tonight."

When asked what his reservations were on the fighter making the jump, the president responded: "He was a middleweight - to advance two divisions in the UFC, it's not like jumping up two weight classes in boxing."

"I don't have reservations but he's in a division where there remain so many fights."

'Machine' Dvalishvili Persists to Write Name in History Books

During the featured bout, The Georgian the bantamweight champion earned a commanding unanimous decision over the American Cory Sandhagen 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 another legend with sixteen sit higher.

The officials scored the fight 49-45 49-45 49-46 in support of the champion.

"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," said the champion post-fight.

The Georgian, 34 years old, was in control of the bout on the offensive and constantly had Sandhagen on the defence.

Although the champion's self-assurance and daunting win streak, Sandhagen was not intimidated and landed 23 out of 48 power shots in the opening round, but the tide turned during the second stanza when the champion connected powerfully with a combination.

The American endured the attack but remained under pressure, with the champion establishing a new UFC record for the highest number of takedowns in a five-round fight with twenty on the path to winning.