UFC 313: Pereira Defends Light Heavyweight Title Against Ankalaev

LAS VEGAS, March 6, 2025 — Light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will defend his title against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 this Saturday at T-Mobile Arena. The event, featuring a highly anticipated main card, will begin at 10 p.m. ET and is expected to draw significant attention due to the fighters’ impressive recent performances.

Pereira, with a record of 12 wins and 2 losses, has established himself as a dominant force in the Octagon. The 37-year-old Brazilian is a former middleweight champion who successfully moved up in weight and captured the light heavyweight crown at UFC 295 in November 2023. Pereira most recently retained his title with a TKO victory over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303.

“I feel confident going into this fight,” Pereira said. “Ankalaev is a tough competitor, but I believe my experience and striking will be the deciding factors.”

His opponent, Ankalaev, enters the fight with a record of 20 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw. The 32-year-old Russian fighter is on a 13-fight unbeaten streak, with his last loss occurring back in September 2018. “I’ve been waiting for this moment to challenge for the title,” Ankalaev stated. “I’m ready to make my mark and dethrone the champion.”

In the co-main event, former Performance of the Night winners Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev will clash in what promises to be an exciting rematch. Gaethje holds a previous victory over Fiziev, having won by majority decision in their March 2023 fight. This time, Fiziev is stepping in on short notice, taking advantage of an opportunity after Gaethje’s original opponent withdrew.

<p“I’m looking forward to this fight and settling the score,” Gaethje remarked. “I believe it will be an even more intense battle than last time.”

Fiziev, currently ranked 11th in the lightweight division, expressed confidence as well, saying, “I’ve trained hard to prepare for this challenge and I’m ready to show what I can do.”

UFC Fight Night details will be broadcast live on ESPNEWS, ESPN+, and Disney+, with prelim fights scheduled at 8 p.m. ET, while early prelims kick off at 6 p.m. ET. Betting analysts have noted Pereira as a slight favorite at -115 odds, while Ankalaev is a close underdog at -105.

Expert MMA analyst Kyle Marley has been hitting successful picks and is anticipated to provide insights on the card, including predictions for Pereira vs. Ankalaev. Marley has achieved substantial returns in MMA betting in recent years, signaling strong follower interest in his guidance leading up to UFC 313.

As excitement builds for what many expect to be a thrilling fight night, fans and analysts alike are left to wonder: will Pereira continue his reign of dominance, or will Ankalaev rise to take the title?