Magomed Ankalaev recorded the biggest win of his UFC career on Saturday evening at UFC 313, which took place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The Russian pugilist battled reigning light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira in the main event and won via unanimous decision, capturing the coveted UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
Ankalaev’s Game Plan Results in Triumph
ANKALAEV HURT POATAN 😱 #UFC313 pic.twitter.com/5sU1PcA2xo
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) March 9, 2025
The battle started on a high note for Pereira with the first round in his favor. The Brazilian fighter displayed his explosive force and punching ability, assertively dominating the initial round. Pereira slowed down as the bout went on, which enabled Ankalaev to pick up gradually. The Russian fighter, who has earned praise for being patient and durable, adjusted tactically, profiting from Pereira’s declining energy and staging a comeback in the later rounds.
Ankalaev’s relentless pressure and thoughtful game plan allowed him to gain traction, even in the face of adversity early on. His patience and accuracy when striking, along with his versatile mixed martial arts ability, allowed him to take the unanimous decision victory. With this victory, Ankalaev now boasts a 14-fight winning streak in the UFC, a reflection of his consistency and excellence within the Octagon.
Pereira Suffers First Light Heavyweight Loss
Coming into UFC 313 ranked No. 2 on the ESPN pound-for-pound rankings, Alex Pereira was set to maintain his dominance of the UFC’s 205-pound division. But this was his first loss at this weight, having previously shifted from middleweight to light heavyweight. Whereas Pereira was good in the first round, the longer the fight lasted, the more his initial lead gave way, letting Ankalaev gain control and win.
Despite the defeat, Pereira is still a top fighter, and fans will not be surprised if he comes back stronger in the next fights. The bout was a reminder that MMA is as unpredictable as ever, where things can change so fast.
Co-Main Event: Justin Gaethje Beats Rafael Fiziev in a Rematch
In the much-awaited co-main event, Justin Gaethje battled Rafael Fiziev in a rematch of their ferocious March 2023 encounter. Gaethje, who had won the initial bout by majority decision, repeated his success with a dominating unanimous decision win. The bout was an exciting battle, with both men showcasing top-notch skills and toughness.
Fiziev, coming off injury, accepted the fight on short notice after Gaethje’s initial opponent, Dan Hooker, was forced to withdraw from a hand injury. Even with Fiziev’s difficulties, Gaethje was able to display his striking power and aggression and ended up out-grappling his opponent throughout the bout.
Analysis: UFC 313 Breakdown
When the evening drew to a close, UFC 313 was a witness to the magnificent ability and chaotic unpredictability of mixed martial arts. The titular bout between Pereira and Ankalaev, although beginning in excellent fashion courtesy of Pereira, was brought to a decisive conclusion by the grit and cunning of Ankalaev. Elsewhere, the win for Gaethje during the co-headlining bout just added to the fame of Gaethje as one of the toughest and most thrilling combatants operating within the world of the UFC.
Looking Ahead
With these results, Ankalaev is now the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and the world of MMA is already looking forward to what his next fight will be. As for Pereira, his first defeat in the 205-pound weight class was a disappointment, but he is still one of the best fighters in the sport. So, too, did Justin Gaethje’s emphatic performance seal his position further among the most likely contenders at lightweight, with fans waiting breathlessly for him to make his next move under the Octagon roof.
The next few weeks will see observers such as Andreas Hale, Brett Okamoto, and Dre Waters deconstruct action from UFC 313, looking into these compelling matchups and the implications they carry for the near futures of the fighters concerned.
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