Magomed Ankalaev shocked Alex Pereira at UFC 313 in Las Vegas, capturing the light-heavyweight title with a dominant unanimous decision. The Russian fighter controlled the bout from start to finish, nullifying Pereira’s dangerous striking and showcasing his own striking and grappling abilities. Ankalaev claimed victory with judges’ scores of 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46, securing the title he has long sought.
“I can’t describe this feeling. I waited so long for this moment—now the belt is mine,” Ankalaev said after his victory. “I wasn’t surprised by anything. I could have performed better, but I’m happy. Thank you to my team and my country.”
Pereira Faces His Toughest Challenge Yet
Alex Pereira, who made his UFC debut in 2021, had quickly risen to the top of the division, winning two titles in just seven fights. After claiming the middleweight title, Pereira made a successful transition to light-heavyweight, defending his belt three times last year. His dominant streak earned him UFC Fighter of the Year honors alongside Ilia Topuria.
However, Ankalaev proved to be the toughest challenge of Pereira’s career. Many experts had predicted that Ankalaev’s wrestling would be a problem for Pereira, a former kickboxing champion. But it was Ankalaev’s striking and constant forward pressure that ultimately proved decisive. Pereira struggled to get into his rhythm, unable to dictate the pace of the fight as he has done in previous bouts.
Ankalaev’s Relentless Pressure and Striking Take Control
Ankalaev entered the fight with an unbeaten record since 2018, a streak of 11 consecutive wins, and the desire for redemption after a controversial title draw in 2022. The fight began with Pereira being the more aggressive of the two, using leg kicks to cause damage to Ankalaev’s calf by the end of the first round.
However, Ankalaev responded in the second round with sharp punches, stunning Pereira with a straight left hand before the bell rang. As the fight progressed, Pereira continued to attack Ankalaev’s legs, but the Russian fighter began to find his rhythm, using a mixture of strikes and front kicks to keep Pereira at bay.
Midway through the bout, Ankalaev took control by shifting to grappling, pressing Pereira against the cage and wearing him down physically. Pereira landed a high kick and stunned Ankalaev with a well-timed jab, but Ankalaev’s superior conditioning and aggression allowed him to close the fight strong. Both fighters raised their arms in confidence as the final bell rang, but it was Ankalaev who was awarded the victory.
The loss marked the end of Pereira’s dominant light-heavyweight run, denying him the chance to defend his title for a fourth time in under a year. Meanwhile, Ankalaev celebrated his 12th straight win and the long-awaited title he had worked tirelessly to achieve.
“I knew this fight would be a war,” Pereira said after the bout. “He pressured me, but didn’t do much with it. I’ll be back.”
Gaethje Triumphs in Co-Main Event
In the highly anticipated co-main event, Justin Gaethje delivered an impressive performance, defeating Rafael Fiziev by decision in an action-packed contest. Gaethje, returning to the octagon for the first time since his knockout loss to Max Holloway, showcased a refined striking approach. His performance in this fight displayed his technical evolution, earning him a well-deserved victory after a thrilling back-and-forth encounter.
Gaethje’s success in this bout marks another step in his career as he continues to pursue a title shot in the lightweight division.
This thrilling night at UFC 313 proved to be a defining moment for both fighters, with Ankalaev now firmly established as the light-heavyweight champion. As the UFC continues to deliver exciting matchups, fans eagerly anticipate what’s next for both Ankalaev and Pereira.
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