Jiri Prochazka & Khalil Rountree Jr. on Alert After LHW Rankings Update Ahead of UFC 320

Just a few days remain before the much-anticipated rematch between light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira unfolds at UFC 320 at the T-Mobile Arena. Early in March, Pereira abdicated his throne after Ankalaev dominated him through the distance. Fans are eagerly waiting to see if the Brazilian can finally turn the tables on the Russian and reclaim his crown. Be it Ankalaev or Pereira, a win is critical, especially in light of the recent divisional shake-ups.

Concerns largely stem from a new threat. At UFC Perth, the Auckland, New Zealand-born Carlos Ulberg demolished Dominick Reyes. The first-round knockout has sent alarm bells across the division. Later, Ulberg spoke about securing a backup berth at UFC 320, where Ankalaev and Pereira headline the main event. Aside from the champion and the challenger, his victory puts other top contenders like Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr., who incidentally fight on the same UFC 320 card, on the spot.

Carlos Ulberg sets sights: Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr. brace themselves ahead of UFC 320

Mixed martial arts writer John Morgan shared an update earlier. “Carlos Ulberg stays firm at No. 3 in the official light heavyweight rankings update following #UFCPerth, trailing only Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka,” he wrote.

Bad news awaits Dominick Reyes, who has now slipped down to the eighth position. Khalil Rountree Jr. and Jiri Prochazka currently occupy the third and fourth slots. Prochazka returns after the KO win over Jamahal Hill that earned him the Performance of the Night honor.

Five months later, Rountree Jr. trounced Hill when they headlined the UFC on ABC card in Baku. So they’ve secured their latest wins over the same man; their last defeats were also handed to them by the same opponent, then-champion Alex Pereira.

That means if Pereira wins this weekend at UFC 320, Ulberg becomes a favorite for the next shot, being a fresh matchup. If Ankalaev retains, then we’ll just have to wait and see who they pick next. But does that make it any better for Jiri and Khalil if either wins at UFC 320? Not one bit.