Top Five UFC Fights To Look Forward To In October

Magomed Ankalaev v Alex Pereira

Sunday, October 5, SA time

The light heavyweight championship hangs in the balance in UFC 320’s headliner at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Ankalaev dethroned Pereira in the same venue in March, triumphing by decision to end the Brazilian superstar’s reign, which saw him score knockout wins over Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka, and Khalil Rountree Jr.

Incredibly well-rounded, Ankalaev is on a remarkable 15-fight win streak and plans on putting “Poatan” behind him with a repeat performance. One of the greatest strikers in UFC history, Pereira is looking to turn the tables and take back the title, setting the stage for an epic rematch.

Merab Dvalishvili v Cory Sandhagen

Sunday, October 5, SA time

In the co-main event of UFC 320, Dvalishvili will aim to defend the bantamweight belt for the third time after defeating Umar Nurmagomedov and Sean O’Malley earlier this year.

A wrestling machine unlike any the UFC has ever seen before, the Georgian juggernaut is unbeaten in his last 13 fights and is regarded by many as the best bantamweight ever.

This is Sandhagen’s second chance at winning UFC gold after he lost to Petr Yan in an interim title bout at UFC 267. Since then, the versatile striker has defeated the likes of Song Yadong, Rob Font, Marlon Vera, and most recently, former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo.

Jiri Prochazka v Khalil Rountree Jr

Sunday, October 5, SA time

Also at UFC 320, two of the leading light heavyweights on the planet will battle it out in what’s likely a title eliminator.

Both fighters come into the high-stakes showdown off the back of victories over former champion Jamahal Hill. Prochazka knocked Hill out in the third round of their fight in January, whilst Rountree dominated him over five rounds in June. These victories got both men back on track following knockout losses to former champion Alex Pereira in 2024.

A violent artist, Prochazka is driven to reclaim the title he was forced to relinquish due to injury in 2022. However, “The War Horse” is equally determined to realise his dream of becoming a UFC champion. Expect a thrilling striking duel as these two seek to punch their ticket to a title fight.

Reinier de Ridder v Brendan Allen

Sunday, October 19, SA time

Two of the top middleweights in the world will be out to send a message to new champion Khamzat Chimaev when they headline UFC Vancouver at the Rogers Arena.

The red-hot De Ridder was initially set to square off against Anthony Hernandez, but Allen has stepped up to replace the injured “Fluffy”, leaving us with a good scrap despite the shake-up.

Unbeaten inside the Octagon, De Ridder will be making his fifth UFC appearance in less than a year. “The Dutch Knight” is coming off a split decision win over ex-champion Robert Whittaker in July. Allen, meanwhile, is a four-year UFC veteran and is fresh off a decision win over former title challenger Marvin Vettori at UFC 318.

Tom Aspinall v Ciryl Gane

Saturday, October 25, SA time

Newly minted undisputed heavyweight champion Aspinall makes his next defence of his title against Gane in the marquee bout of UFC 321 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.  

A British anomaly, Aspinall is no longer waiting for the now-retired Jon Jones and is eager to make a statement that it’s now truly his era. The lethal finisher was last seen at UFC 304 on home soil in Manchester, where he knocked out Curtis Blaydes in a minute flat.

In Gane, he’ll face a fellow hyper-athletic heavyweight and a former interim champion. “Bon Gamin” is coming off back-to-back wins over Serghei Spivac and Alexander Volkov and is hunting history as he looks to become the first French fighter to win an undisputed UFC title.