Three marquee fights across two weekends will shape the immediate future of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight division \u2014 and most likely decide the next title challenger.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s because the 205 lb title is being defended next weekend (Sat., Oct. 4, 2025) at UFC 320<\/a> as champion Magomed Ankalaev rematches former kingpin Alex Pereira inside the T-Mobile in Las Vegas, Nevada \u2014 and that\u2019s not all. In the \u201cFeatured\u201d bout of UFC 320<\/a>, former champion Jiri Prochazka takes on former title challenger Khalil Rountree, and at UFC Perth<\/a> this weekend (Sat., Sept. 27, 2025), No. 3-ranked Carlos Ulberg takes on two-time former title challenger<\/a> Dominick Reyes.<\/p>\n So, with the mini unofficial Light Heavyweight tournament unfolding before our eyes, a future title challenger will be revealed, right?<\/p>\n Well, Ankalaev only has his eyes on one of them \u2014 \u201cBlack Jaguar<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo be honest, the main event fight this weekend between Reyes and Ulberg is much more interesting because [Prochazka and Rountree] fought for the title multiple times<\/a> and we\u2019ve already watched them in title fights,\u201d Ankalaev told the media through a translator during an open workout. \u201cThe fight coming up this week has new guys \u2014 I mean, yeah, Reyes fought for the title before, but Ulberg hasn\u2019t. I\u2019m much more interested in this fight.\u201d<\/p>\n Ultimately, Ankalaev will fight anyone the promotion wants.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m the sitting champion, and whoever is next, I will be ready to defend my title,\u201d Ankalaev concluded.<\/p>\n All four men fighting for the right to compete for the title have a decent case to be next.<\/p>\n But before deciding his next opponent, Ankalaev must get through a motivated and angry Pereira, who is out for blood.<\/p>\n