Alex Pereira puts his light-heavyweight title on the line tonight, fighting Magomed Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 313.
Pereira, a former kickboxing champion, has been a phenom since joining the UFC in 2021. He won middleweight gold in 2022 before moving up to light-heavyweight and adding a second belt in 2023. Then, last year, he recorded three successful title defences with TKOs of Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr.
The Brazilian’s challenger in Las Vegas tonight is Ankalaev, a Russian who shares the wrestling abilities of many of his fellow Dagestanis – but with solid striking skills to boot. Still, many fans feel the UFC would rather have a star like Pereira, 37, as champion, not Ankalaev, and the latter has faced a tough route to this title fight.
Ankalaev, 32, actually challenged for the vacant belt in late 2022 but fought Jan Blachowicz to a draw, and more than two years later, he finally gets another shot at gold.
Also tonight, Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev clash in a rematch two years in the making, as the latter replaces the injured Dan Hooker. Gaethje vs Hooker was a dream fight for many fans, but they can still expect chaos as Fiziev bids to avenge a narrow loss to Gaethje. Follow the UFC 313 main card and prelims live, below.
UFC 313 LIVE: Pereira vs Ankalaev
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Alex Pereira defends light-heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev in main event
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Fan favourite Pereira recorded three successful title defences in 2024, all by TKO
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Ankalaev faced long route to second title fight, after drawing with vacant belt on the line in 2022
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Co-main event: Justin Gaethje vs Rafael Fiziev 2, two years after narrow first clash
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Gaethje outpointed Fiziev in 2023, and latter replaces injured Dan Hooker here
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Plus: rising star Mauricio Ruffy takes on King Green in main-card opener
UFC 313 LIVE: Superstar Alex Pereira faces stern Magomed Ankalaev test
21:53 , Alex Pattle
Alex Pereira puts his light-heavyweight title on the line tonight, fighting Magomed Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 313.
Pereira, a former kickboxing champion, has been a phenom since joining the UFC in 2021. He won middleweight gold in 2022 before moving up to light-heavyweight and adding a second belt in 2023. Then, last year, he recorded three successful title defences with TKOs of Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr.
The Brazilian’s challenger in Las Vegas tonight is Ankalaev, a Russian who shares the wrestling abilities of many of his fellow Dagestanis – but with solid striking skills to boot. Still, many fans feel the UFC would rather have a star like Pereira, 37, as champion, not Ankalaev, and the latter has faced a tough route to this title fight.
Ankalaev, 32, actually challenged for the vacant belt in late 2022 but fought Jan Blachowicz to a draw, and more than two years later, he finally gets another shot at gold.
Also tonight, Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev clash in a rematch two years in the making, as the latter replaces the injured Dan Hooker. Gaethje vs Hooker was a dream fight for many fans, but they can still expect chaos as Fiziev bids to avenge a narrow loss to Gaethje.
Follow the UFC 313 main card and prelims live, right here.
UFC 313 LIVE: What time does Pereira vs Ankalaev event start?
Friday 7 March 2025 11:37 , Alex Pattle
UFC 313 will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas tonight.
The early prelims will get under way at 11pm GMT (3pm PT / 5pm CT / 6pm ET), with the regular prelims following at 1am GMT (5pm PT / 7pm CT / 8pm ET tonight).
The main card is then scheduled for 3am GMT (7pm PT / 9pm CT / 10pm ET tonight).
We’ll start our live, round-by-round fight coverage when the regular prelims begin! Then, we’ll carry on right through to the end of the main event, and give you post-fight reaction from that as well.
UFC 313: Pereira vs Ankalaev start time, fight card and how to watch on TV and online
