UFC 313 - Pereira vs Ankalaev

March 07, 2025

Get ready for an action-packed weekend as UFC 313 takes center stage this Saturday in Las Vegas! With a stacked card and high-stakes matchups, this event promises to deliver some exciting fights. Headlined by the highly anticipated title defense of Alex Pereira, who looks to make his fourth consecutive defense against the tough #1 contender Magomed Ankalaev, UFC 313 is shaping up to be a must-watch. From explosive strikers to skilled grapplers, this card has something for every MMA fan. Plus, with several fighters looking to make a statement and climb the ranks.

Main Card

(C) Alex Pereira vs #1 Magomed Ankalaev
Light Heavyweight Title Bout - 205 lbs

Alex Pereira is set to make his fourth consecutive title defense, this time against #1 contender Magomed Ankalaev. While Pereira is a fan favorite and widely known for his explosive power and fast track to a title, Ankalaev's road to a title shot has been a tough one. Despite being a highly ranked contender for quite some time, Ankalaev has struggled to capture the attention of both fans and UFC brass. Now that he finally gets his opportunity, he’s stepping in as one of Pereira’s toughest opponents to date. Ankalaev is a skilled kickboxer with excellent range, and while he has knockout power in his hands, much of his striking success comes from his threat of elite Dagestani wrestling, which poses a constant threat on the ground. Pereira, a two-division champion, has taken the UFC by storm with his incredible power and a devastating left hook, making him one of the sport’s biggest superstars.

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#3 Justin Gaethje vs #11 Rafael Fiziev
Lightweight Bout - 155 lbs

In a brand-new co-main event, Justin Gaethje faces Rafael Fiziev in a highly anticipated rematch. Originally set to fight Dan Hooker, Gaethje’s opponent changed after Hooker broke his hand just a week ago. Fiziev steps in on short notice following an 18-month layoff due to a knee injury, while Gaethje is making his return after suffering a devastating knockout to Max Holloway in his last outing. In their first meeting, Gaethje won the decision, but both fighters are known for their brutal striking. Gaethje, a violent striker with heavy leg kicks, thrives in wars and is the epitome of excitement. Fiziev, equally dangerous, combines power and volume to control the fight on the feet. This matchup is tough to call, and it will likely come down to who can recover and bounce back stronger from their previous setbacks.

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#13 Jalin Turner vs Ignacio Bahamondes
Lightweight Bout - 155 lbs

Ignacio Bahamondes is getting his opportunity against ranked opponent Jalin Turner, a long and creative striker who has been a fixture in the top 15 for years, consistently facing high-level competition. After a couple of close losses, Turner finds himself on a losing streak and now must defend his ranking against the rising star Bahamondes. Bahamondes comes into this fight on the back of two impressive first-round finishes and trains alongside Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad. Unlike Muhammad, Bahamondes is a devastating striker known for his overwhelming volume, though he doesn’t rely as much on the ground game. This matchup promises to be an exciting battle between two of the longest, most skilled strikers in the division.

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#5 Amanda Lemos vs #7 Iasman Lucindo
Strawweight Bout - 115 lbs

Former title challenger and UFC veteran Amanda Lemos faces the young and hungry Iasmin Lucindo, who is riding a four-fight win streak. Lemos, a skilled Muay Thai striker, excels at controlling distance to keep the fight standing and avoid the ground game. Lucindo, on the other hand, is a dynamic grappler who uses her speed and power to drag opponents to the mat, always searching for a finish. Whoever can impose their will and dominate in their area of expertise will likely make the other appear helpless against their game plan.

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King Green vs Mauricio Ruffy
Lightweight Bout - 155 lbs

After 50 professional fights, King Green (formerly Bobby Green) now faces rising UFC star Mauricio Ruffy. Ruffy, the latest prospect from the Fighter Nerds team in Brazil, is a devastating striker with 10 stoppages in his 11 wins. In what serves as a true test for the newcomer, Ruffy is matched up against the seasoned veteran, King Green. Known for his unorthodox striking style and high-volume approach, Green keeps his hands low and effectively rolls with punches, showcasing surprisingly good defense. Although Green enters the fight as a significant underdog, he has a history of derailing the hype trains of up-and-coming fighters.

Prelims

#5 Curtis Blaydes vs Rizvan Kuniev
Heavyweight Bout - 265 lbs

In a surprising matchup, UFC newcomer Rizvan Kuniev is set to face Heavyweight title contender Curtis Blaydes. Kuniev, who earned his contract through Dana White's Contender Series, now finds himself thrust into a fight against one of the division's top fighters. Blaydes, fresh off a title bout with Tom Aspinall, brings a strong wrestling pedigree into the cage, though he surprisingly prefers to keep the action standing. Despite his ability to outwrestle most of his opponents, Blaydes hasn't attempted a takedown in three years. Kuniev, on the other hand, is a dynamic striker who aggressively closes the distance and looks for opportunities to bring the fight to the ground.

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Joshua Van vs Rei Tsuruya
Flyweight Bout - 125 lbs

Joshua Van faces off against Rei Tsuruya in a showdown between two promising flyweights expected to dominate the division for years to come. Van, who has fought six times since the summer of 2023, is steadily moving closer to the rankings. A well-rounded fighter, he prefers to keep the action standing and thrives in high-intensity exchanges, overpowering his opponents in the process. Tsuruya, fresh off his first UFC victory after earning a contract through the Road to UFC tournament, is a dangerous grappler. With relentless aggression, he works tirelessly to get his opponents to the mat, always hunting for finishes and relying on exceptional cardio to maintain his pace throughout.

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Brunno Ferreira vs Armen Petrosyan
Middleweight Bout - 185 lbs

Two Dana White’s Contender Series alumni are set to clash in a striking battle. The tall and precise Petrosyan, with a strong kickboxing background, is a dynamic threat on the feet. In contrast, Ferreira is a compact powerhouse who uses quick footwork and varied striking to compensate for his smaller stature. Ferreira is also known to have a strong ground game that he rarely uses but could be the deciding factor in this fight. Both fighters have significant UFC potential and are eager to get back on a winning streak to climb the Middleweight ranks.

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Alex Morono vs Carlos Leal
Welterweight Bout - 170 lbs

Alex Morono is a true UFC veteran with 36 professional fights under his belt, bringing the high-level skills that come with such experience. However, he often chooses to make his fights gritty and chaotic, rather than relying solely on technique. Carlos Leal, on the other hand, is entering just his second UFC fight but is already seen as a heavy favorite. Known for his relentless forward pressure and Muay Thai striking, Leal isn’t afraid to stand and trade with his opponents. While it makes sense for Leal to be the favorite, the wide odds still come as a bit of a surprise. Given their styles and past performances, I expect this to be a back-and-forth slugfest on the feet, where anyone could land a fight-ending punch.

Early Prelims

Mairon Santos vs Francis Marshall
Featherweight Bout - 145 lbs

Marion Santos, fresh off a tournament victory on The Ultimate Fighter last year, is ready to kick off his UFC journey. Known for his thrilling style, Santos combines powerful strikes with aggressive, precise boxing to relentlessly pressure his opponents. On the other side, Marshall is a heavy-handed grappler with devastating takedowns, making for an intriguing clash of styles. This should be an exciting, action-packed fight at the start of the night.

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Chris Gutierrez vs John Castaneda
Featherweight Bout - 145 lbs

Chris Gutierrez will face John Castaneda in a newly added matchup to the card. Both fighters were originally scheduled to compete in recent events but saw their bouts canceled at the last minute. Gutierrez, a skilled striker with powerful low kicks, excels at controlling the cage, though he often adjusts his pace to match his opponents. Castaneda, a former college wrestler, brings a relentless high pace and volume to his fights, whether standing or on the ground, making him a well-rounded and dangerous competitor.

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Djorden Santos vs Ozzy Diaz
Middleweight Bout - 185 lbs

Ozzy Diaz, an LFA champion, is known for his high-level movement on the feet, which sets up his striking game. Now making the move down to Middleweight from Light Heavyweight, his only loss has come via knockout. He’ll be facing Djorden Santos, who is making his UFC debut after earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series. Santos is a well-rounded fighter who will have the chance to showcase his skills on the big stage.

Enjoy the Fights!