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The Brazilian fighter required just one minute and 22 seconds to regain the light heavyweight crown after overcoming Magomed Ankalaev at the Las Vegas event.

This triumph came seven months after he experienced a decision defeat to the Russian competitor at their previous encounter.

The 38-year-old, who had clearly taken lessons from his loss in March, acted immediately by connecting with a powerful right hook.

The audience in Las Vegas exploded as the two-division champion shook the his opponent with a clubbing right hand before the official called a halt following several violent elbows to the head.

"Retribution isn't a good thing. I explained I wasn't in a good position last time but nobody listened, now it was evident," Pereira commented following his victory.

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

The Russian fighter was looking for his thirteenth victory in a row but connected with only two out of seven power shots, while 25 out of 37 from Pereira connected successfully.

Since his UFC debut in 2021, the Brazilian has rapidly evolved into one of the promotion's biggest stars, achieving a two-division champion in only seven fights - a historic achievement.

After capturing the 185-pound championship, Pereira moved up to light heavyweight and, following his title win, his three defences in 2024 led to him being named the UFC fighter of the year alongside another champion.

Pereira encountered his toughest challenge in facing his rival, with the Russian blocking the Brazilian from landing his huge strikes in their initial encounter - but that was not a problem the second time around, with he connecting powerfully of his opponent's head early on.

The challenger had stopped the Brazilian's run of three successful defenses within twelve months in the first encounter but the ex-titleholder now has a another loss on his record - and his first in over seven years.

Currently tied at one win apiece, a rubber match could determine who claims the bragging rights for good.

The Champion 'Wants to Fight at Heavyweight' - UFC President

Although he recaptured the light-heavyweight title he lost in March, Pereira has eyes on transitioning an additional division to the heavyweight class, according to UFC chief Dana White.

Before the rematch with Ankalaev, the champion and his team informed the president of his wishes to make the move to the heavyweight division. White told the post-event press conference: "He expressed he wants to fight at heavyweight but I advised to focus on tonight initially. Opportunities remain here, but we'll consider."

"This guy has been an exceptional athlete for us. He fights when he's hurt, he doesn't care. He wants to fight all challengers and advance to heavyweight. There's a lot of things to talk about following this event."

Upon questioning what his concerns were on Pereira transitioning divisions, the president answered: "He started as a 185-pound fighter - to jump up two weight classes in the UFC, it's not like moving up two divisions in boxing."

"I'm not concerned but he competes in a weight class where there remain numerous opportunities."

'The 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 American Cory Sandhagen to retain his bantamweight world title.

This victory was the Georgian's 14th in a row - elevating him to third place for longest win streak in organization history. Only two other fighters, on 15, and Anderson Silva with 16 rank above.

The judges scored the bout 49-45 49-45 49-46 in favor of the titleholder.

"I am a machine. I keep getting better. I train hard. I feel like I'm just beginning, I'm just starting and I keep learning," stated Dvalishvili after the bout.

The Georgian, 34 years old, was in control of the bout on the front foot and constantly had his opponent on the defence.

Although the champion's self-assurance and impressive victory run, Sandhagen was not overawed and connected with 23 out of 48 significant strikes in the first round, but the momentum shifted two minutes into the second round when the champion landed heavy with a combination.

The American survived the onslaught but remained under pressure, with the Georgian establishing a fresh organizational mark for the highest number of takedowns in a five-round bout with twenty on the way to victory.