UFC March Top Fights: 5 Events, Title Clashes And More

March promises to be a busy month in the UFC, with five events on five Saturdays, giving fans an abundance of exciting matchups. From big fights to emerging talent getting out there and showing what they can do, March is a month to hold dear for MMA enthusiasts. The pick of the month is UFC 313, with the highly anticipated light heavyweight title headliner, but each event features its own unique set of intriguing fights.

Top UFC fights this month

UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Almabayev — Saturday, March 1 (Las Vegas, NV)

Hyder Amil vs William Gomis

We begin March with a thrilling featherweight clash between undefeated Hyder Amil and on-form William Gomis.
Amil has established himself in no time as a man to watch, his aggressive and wild style gaining him a reputation following two quick victories in the UFC, taking his unbeaten record to 10-0. His relentless barrage of heavy shots is an intriguing prospect in the division.

Conversely, Gomis has been steadily working his way up the ranks in the UFC with four consecutive wins, having a 12-fight winning streak overall. His clean, technical striking has won over many fans, and he is still an all-around brawler with a lot of potential.

This fight is particularly intriguing due to the style conflict—Amil’s pressuring aggression and big-bombing offense against Gomis’s counter-punching style which is patient. The difference promises a satisfying back-and-forth encounter that audiences won’t be able to afford to miss.

Manel Kape vs Asu Almabayev

The month’s opening main event features a high-stakes flyweight clash between Manel Kape and Asu Almabayev, which has the potential to determine the next title challenger in the 125-pound division.

Kape’s most recent bout was a convincing third-round stoppage of Bruno Silva, capped off by a bold statement that he should be the next one up for a title fight. When Kape is on, it’s difficult to dispute his confidence, but his test is keeping that sort of consistency going.

Almabayev, meanwhile, has been ripping through the competition, winning 17 straight bouts, all four of his wins in the UFC, and rising to No. 8 in the rankings. His performance against Kape will most certainly launch him deep into the title talk. With a title shot imminent on the summer horizon, the winner of this fight will position themselves as a serious top contender for the flyweight title.

Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev

In a fascinating heavyweight matchup, perennial contender Curtis Blaydes faces the promising Rizvan Kuniev. Blaydes, a Top 5 fixture in the division, is looking to bounce back after his first-round loss to Tom Aspinall last year. With a record of 13-5 (one no contest) in the UFC, Blaydes has fought the best in the division, securing notable victories over the likes of Alexander Volkov and Jailton Almeida.

Kuniev, a winner twice on the Dana White’s Contender Series, stunned with his first-round stoppage victory over Hugo Cunha. With a well-rounded skill set of combat sambo, Kuniev enters the UFC on a 13-2-1 record. He’s an excellent prospect, but this fight is a huge test, as he faces one of the division’s top young prospects in Blaydes.

This bout is special in that it’s not often a prospect like Kuniev is placed in the ring with an elite-level fighter so early in his UFC career. If Kuniev wins, he will instantly make himself worthy of consideration for a title shot at heavyweight, and as such, it’s about that which must be witnessed.

UFC 313: Gaethje vs. Fiziev and Pereira vs. Ankalaev – A Glance Ahead

March is shaping up to be a big month for the UFC’s pay-per-view events, with UFC 313 being a highlight. This event is being topped by a highly anticipated clash between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev. On the co-main card, there is a repeat encounter between Rafael Fiziev and Justin Gaethje, which is expected to be one for the crowd. Let’s dissect these two thrilling bouts.

Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev (Co-Main Event)

A Second Encounter Between Two High-Octane Fighters

In one of the most highly awaited rematches, Justin Gaethje meets Rafael Fiziev in the co-headliner of UFC 313. Gaethje was initially supposed to fight Dan Hooker but, as a result of injury, Fiziev takes on the challenge. The bout will be an action-packed encounter since both competitors possess explosive fighting styles.

Gaethje, who is famous for his aggressive style and ability to produce fight-of-the-night performances, is back in action for the first time since his legendary bout with Max Holloway at UFC 300. The bout was one of the most brutal and wild fights in recent UFC history, ending with a knockout defeat to Holloway.

Gaethje, the previous interim lightweight champ, has based his career on his aggressive take-no-prisoners approach and has collected as many post-fight bonuses as he has had UFC fights. Fans are always aware that wherever he goes inside the cage, there is certain to be thrills.

Kyrgyzstan-based Fiziev, one of the world’s top strikers, will return after a knee injury kept him out after he lost in September 2023 to Mateusz Gamrot. Before that, Fiziev was on a six-fight win streak, and it took him to a headlining bout with Gaethje. Their initial meeting at UFC 286 was an action-packed back-and-forth affair, with Gaethje taking the majority decision in a hard first round.

The two fighters have both changed since then, so it will be intriguing to know how their improvement will affect this rematch.

The initial fight was a close call, with Fiziev off to a fast start, but Gaethje’s experience and strategic changes saw him seize the initiative down the stretch. The two fighters have both evolved since then, and this rematch is set to be another thrilling bout.

Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev (Main Event)

A Clash of Champions: Pereira’s Reign vs. Ankalaev’s Challenge

The main event for UFC 313 features a long-awaited matchup for the light heavyweight title, where Magomed Ankalaev tackles Alex Pereira. It is the fight on the tongues of everyone since Pereira took center stage in the UFC, and hell-satisfied are the fight spectators to find the Brazilian champion against Ankalaev, a sturdy opponent who would have no flaws with respect to his skill set.

Pereira is on a remarkable roll, having smashed all his last four opponents into the ground, completely dominating three light heavyweight title defenses. Pereira faced adversity against his last opponent, Khalil Rountree Jr., but stayed mentally sharpened, adapted to needed changes, and displayed punching prowess in the fourth round. His trademark powers and fiery style have made him notorious as one of the most feared fighters in the division.

Magomed Ankalaev, who has remained unbeaten in his last 13 bouts, is one of the hardest challenges Pereira will face as champion. He is, in fact, one of the most well-rounded fighters Pereira has ever faced throughout his career, showing very good striking with a competent Wrestling and Grappling background.

Besides his previously shown dubious decision-making, Ankalaev stands a legitimate threat against Pereira’s title reign with his striking and grappling. Many looking at it from such an angle believe he is the greatest challenge Pereira has faced up to this date because of his size, gas management, and ability to fight in all departments of the fight game.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about this bout is how Pereira will counter Ankalaev’s wrestling and grappling. It has been a question for many how Pereira would do against a man who could challenge him in those skills. Although Ankalaev might not be the traditional wrestler others were anticipating, his skill in that regard makes him a dangerous opponent.

This fight’s outcome pretty much rests on whether or not Ankalaev can make his wrestling dictate the pace and shut down Pereira’s striking.

What to Look Forward to at UFC 313

UFC 313 will consist of two exciting fights set to take place. Gaethje vs. Fiziev is a rematch cooked from two high-paced and enterprising competitors, both hoping to end up out on top in their low-weight categories. The main event Pereira vs. Ankalaev could even be viewed as a passing of the baton in the light heavyweight class, as Ankalaev provides quite the conundrum for Pereira’s title reign.

With both fights being so pivotal, UFC 313 will shape up to be an event most MMA fans can’t miss, filled with drama, action, and a chance of being made into history.

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