UFC 313: Pereira vs. Ankalaev took place on March 8, 2025, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. This event was highly anticipated, featuring a light heavyweight title bout between reigning champion Alex Pereira and top contender Magomed Ankalaev. The co-main event showcased a lightweight rematch between Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev.
Main Event: Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev
Alex Pereira, known for his striking prowess, entered the octagon to defend his light heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev, a fighter renowned for his grappling skills. The clash of styles promised an intriguing battle, with fans eager to see if Pereira’s striking could overcome Ankalaev’s wrestling.
Co-Main Event: Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev
The co-main event featured a rematch between Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev. Their previous encounter at UFC 286 ended in a majority decision win for Gaethje, making this bout a must-watch for fans anticipating another explosive performance from both fighters.
Full Fight Card
Main Card:
- Alex Pereira (c) vs. Magomed Ankalaev (Light Heavyweight Championship)
- Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev (Lightweight Bout)
- Jalin Turner vs. Ignacio Bahamondes (Lightweight Bout)
- Amanda Lemos vs. Iasmin Lucindo (Women’s Strawweight Bout)
- King Green vs. Mauricio Ruffy (Lightweight Bout)
Preliminary Card:
- Joshua Van vs. Rei Tsuruya (Flyweight Bout)
- Brunno Ferreira vs. Armen Petrosyan (Middleweight Bout)
- Alex Morono vs. Carlos Leal (Welterweight Bout)
- Mairon Santos vs. Francis Marshall (Featherweight Bout)
Early Preliminary Card:
- Djorden Santos vs. Ozzy Diaz (Middleweight Bout)
Notable Fight Cancellations
The event faced last-minute changes with the cancellation of two significant bouts:
- Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev: This heavyweight bout was canceled due to Blaydes falling ill just hours before the event.
- Chris Gutierrez vs. John Castaneda: Similarly, this bantamweight bout was scrapped on the day of the event due to Castaneda’s illness.
Broadcast and Start Times
UFC 313 was broadcasted across various platforms:
- Early Prelims: Started at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and Disney+.
- Prelims: Began at 8 p.m. ET on ESPNEWS, ESPN+, and Disney+.
- Main Card: Kicked off at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ pay-per-view.
Commentary Team
The event featured a stellar commentary team:
- Jon Anik: Lead play-by-play commentator.
- Joe Rogan: Color commentator, marking his return to the broadcast team for this event.
- Daniel Cormier: Color commentator and former two-division UFC champion.
Event Highlights
While the full results are yet to be officially released, the event was marked by intense bouts and high-level performances. Fans witnessed a blend of striking battles and grappling exchanges, showcasing the diverse skill sets of the fighters.
Looking Ahead
UFC continues to deliver thrilling events, with upcoming fight cards promising more action-packed matchups. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned to official UFC channels for the latest updates on future events and fight announcements.
