UFC 313: Pereira vs. Ankalaev – Light Heavyweight Championship Fight Preview

Las Vegas – UFC returns to T-Mobile Arena with a blockbuster light heavyweight championship tilt that sees Alex Pereira defend against No. 1 ranked contender Magomed Ankalaev. Also, No. 3 ranked lightweight contender Justin Gaethje battles No. 6 Dan Hooker in a five round co-main event guaranteed to deliver fireworks.

UFC 313: Pereira vs. Ankalaev takes place Sat., March 8 in Las Vegas, Nev. with the main card at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on ESPN+ PPV. The prelims will be available on ESPNEWS and ESPN Deportes, as well as simulcast in English and Spanish on ESPN+, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The early prelims will kick off at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass.

Pereira (12-2) fighting out of Danbury, Conn. by way of Sao Paulo, Brazil aims for his fourth successful title defense. A devastating knockout artist, he has delivered thrilling finishes against Khalil Rountree Jr., Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill. Pereira now hopes to continue his run atop the 205-pound division by handing Ankalaev his first KO loss.

Ankalaev (20-1-1 1NC) fighting out of Makhachkala, Russia plans to capitalize on his second UFC championship opportunity. Currently riding a 13-fight unbeaten streak, he has earned notable victories over Aleksandar Rakic, Anthony Smith and Volkan Oezdemir. Ankalaev now aims to dethrone Pereira and achieve his dream of capturing UFC gold.

Former interim lightweight titleholder Gaethje (26-5) fighting out of Denver, Colo. by way of Safford, Ariz. looks to kick off his 2025 season with another highlight performance. Among the most exciting fighters in UFC history, he holds memorable KO wins against Dustin Poirier, Tony Ferguson and Donald Cerrone. Gaethje now intends to defend his spot in the rankings by stopping Hooker in emphatic fashion.

Hooker (24-12) fighting out of Auckland, New Zealand plans to steal the show to continue his climb up the lightweight ladder. A dynamic finisher currently riding a three-fight win streak, he holds thrilling victories over Jalin Turner, Gilbert Burns and Paul Felder. Hooker now hopes to secure the biggest win of his career and crack the Top 5 rankings.

Additional bouts on the card include, recent Dana White’s Contender Series signee Djorden Santos (10-1) fighting out of Brasília, DF, Brazil debuts against Ozzy Diaz (9-3) fighting out of Los Angeles, Calif.) at middleweight.

Also, No. 13 ranked flyweight contender Bruno Silva (14-6-2 1NC) fighting out of Piracicaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil looks to halt the momentum of No. 15 Joshua Van (12-2) fighting out of Houston, Texas. Brunno Ferreira (12-2) fighting out of Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil) faces Armen Petrosyan (9-4) fighting out of Yerevan, Armenia) in an exciting battle of middleweight strikers.

Alex Morono (24-11 1NC) fighting out of Houston, Texas) squares off with Carlos Leal (21-6) fighting out of Curitiba, Parana, Brazil at welterweight. Mairon Santos Alves (15-1) fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev. by way of Duque De Caxias, Rio de Janeiro meets Francis Marshall (8-2) fighting out of Jersey City, N.J. in a featherweight tilt.

Chris Gutierrez (21-5-2) fighting out of Englewood, Colo. faces undefeated Jean Matsumoto (16-0, fighting out of Braganca Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil) at bantamweight. We will also see No. 5 ranked strawweight contender Amanda Lemos (14-4-1) fighting out of Pará​, Brazil collides with No. 7 Iasmin Lucindo (17-5) fighting out of Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.

Roberto Villa

Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.