The UFC light heavyweight division is set for a massive title fight as reigning champion Alex Pereira puts his belt on the line against top contender Magomed Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 313 on March 8 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This blockbuster matchup pits Pereira’s devastating striking against Ankalaev’s elite grappling in a true clash of styles that will determine the future of the 205-pound weight class.
Pereira’s Dominant Title Reign
Alex Pereira has been on a tear since capturing the vacant light heavyweight championship in early 2024, notching three successful title defenses in the span of just 175 days. The Brazilian powerhouse kicked off his reign by knocking out Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 before returning on short notice to stop former champ Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303. Pereira then capped off a stellar year by scoring a TKO victory over surging contender Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 in December.
Known for his devastating striking, especially his vicious kicks and knees, Pereira has established himself as one of the most feared fighters on the planet. The former two-division GLORY Kickboxing champion possesses fight-ending power in all of his limbs and has shown remarkable poise and composure in high-pressure title fights. With a perfect 4-0 record in the UFC, including three championship victories, Pereira will look to further cement his status as the undisputed king of the light heavyweight division.
Ankalaev’s Long-Awaited Title Shot
Standing across the octagon from Pereira will be Dagestan’s Magomed Ankalaev, a dominant grappler who has long been considered a future UFC champion. The 30-year-old rising star earned his crack at the title by scoring a unanimous decision victory over Aleksandar Rakic in a title eliminator bout at UFC 308 in January. That win extended Ankalaev’s unbeaten streak to nine fights, with his lone career loss coming via a last-second submission way back in 2018.
I have been waiting for this moment my entire life. I will take the belt from Alex Pereira and become the first Dagestani UFC light heavyweight champion.
– Magomed Ankalaev
A master of Sambo and a powerful wrestler, Ankalaev has the grappling skills to neutralize Pereira’s striking and grind out a victory on the mat. He showcased his suffocating top game in dominant wins over Nikita Krylov, Volkan Oezdemir and Thiago Santos during his current winning streak. If Ankalaev can drag Pereira into deep waters and smother the champ with relentless grappling, he has an excellent chance of capturing UFC gold.
Explosive Co-Main Event: Gaethje vs Hooker
In the co-main event, former BMF champion Justin Gaethje returns to action against fellow knockout artist Dan Hooker in a pivotal lightweight contenders’ bout. This five-round war promises nonstop action between two of the most violent strikers in the sport today.
- Gaethje Seeking Redemption: After suffering a knockout loss to Max Holloway in their BMF title clash at UFC 300, Gaethje is determined to rebound in emphatic fashion. The human highlight reel has delivered some of the most brutal fights in UFC history and will be gunning for another signature finish.
- Hooker Riding Hot Streak: New Zealand’s “Hangman” has risen up the lightweight ranks by scoring three straight stoppage victories over Claudio Puelles, Jalin Turner and Mateusz Gamrot. Hooker’s slick striking and dangerous submissions make him a threat anywhere the fight goes.
With title implications on the line, expect Gaethje and Hooker to throw down in a potential fight of the year contender. Both men are known for engaging in all-out wars, and their clash at UFC 313 has all the ingredients for an instant classic.
The Stakes Are High at UFC 313
As the UFC light heavyweight division enters a new era, the championship showdown between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 will go a long way in shaping its future. Can Pereira continue his dominant title reign and establish himself as one of the greatest 205-pound fighters of all time? Or will Ankalaev fulfill his destiny by becoming the first Dagestani to capture light heavyweight gold?
No matter who emerges victorious, UFC 313 promises to be a monumental event with two elite fighters putting it all on the line for the right to be called light heavyweight champion. The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas will be rocking on March 8 as Pereira and Ankalaev collide in a battle for divisional supremacy, while Gaethje and Hooker attempt to steal the show in a lightweight war for the ages. You won’t want to miss a single second of the action at UFC 313!
