Expert picks and best bets: Where's the value at UFC 320 and PFL? - ESPN

Magomed Ankalaev goes for his first UFC light heavyweight title defense against Alex Pereira in the main event at UFC 320 in Las Vegas on Saturday (10 p.m. ET on ESPN PPV, with prelims at 8 on ESPNEWS/ESPN+/Disney+/FX and early prelims at 6 on ESPN+/Disney+/FX).

Ankalaev beat Pereira by unanimous decision to claim the belt at UFC 313 in March. Ankalaev, ESPN's No. 7-ranked pound-for-pound fighter, has not lost a fight since March 2018. Pereira, a former champion at middleweight and light heavyweight, was riding a five-win streak before the loss to Ankalaev. Pereira is ESPN's No. 9-ranked pound-for-pound fighter.

In the co-main event, Cory Sandhagen gets his first crack at UFC gold when he challenges Merab Dvalishvili for the men's bantamweight championship. Dvalishvili, No. 3 in ESPN's pound-for-pound rankings, is going for his third title defense since winning the belt at UFC 306 in September 2024. Sandhagen, ESPN's No. 5-ranked bantamweight, beat Deiveson Figueiredo by second-round knockout at a UFC Fight Night in May to earn a title shot.

On Friday, PFL action returns as the promotion hosts PFL Champions Series Dubai at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (11:30 a.m. ET on ESPN Unlimited). In the main event, Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes will square off in a rematch for the lightweight title. Nurmagomedov won the first fight by majority decision in January.

ESPN MMA analysts and commentators provide their UFC title fight predictions, and ESPN betting expert Ian Parker adds insight on the value bets available on both fight cards.

I don't like giving excuses, but I can't ignore the fact that it was very clear that Pereira was extremely sick for 10 days leading into the first fight. He was overworked and