A VIOLENT Night of Fights!
MMA fans were jubilant last night following the reveal of Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev taking the main stage at UFC 313 on March 8th for the light heavyweight championship at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Adding to the excitement, Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker are set to host the five round co-main event at lightweight, promising guaranteed violence and entertainment.
UFC 313 Announcement | HOF
Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev
Ranked as the #2 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Alex Pereira returns to defend his light heavyweight title once more. Pereira last competed at UFC 307 on October 5th, earning an electrifying fourth-round stoppage win versus Khalil Rountree in a Fight of the Night performance. That victory capped off a dominant 2024 campaign for Pereira who defended his title three times, including knockout wins over former champions Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka.
Magomed Ankalaev currently sits as the #1 contender at light heavyweight and has been calling to have his shot at Pereira for a long time, exchanging words over social media and interviews, both fuelling tension and adding a sense of rivalry to their matchup at UFC 313. Currently riding an 11 fight win-streak with an impressive record of 19-1-1 (1 NC), Ankalaev is finally looking to conquer the division and certify himself as the best light-heavyweight in the world.
Pereira, widely regarded as the best striker in the UFC, mixes his world-class kickboxing with his devastating knockout power. Out of his 9 wins, 7 of them have come via stoppage, including elite names such as Israel Adesanya, Sean Strickland, Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill. Ankalev, by contrast, leans towards the grappling department but remains a well-rounded threat, holding victories over high level opponents like Aleksandar Rakic, Johnny Walker, and Anthony Smith.
For Pereira, a win over Ankalaev would solidify his legacy as one of the greatest champions the UFC history. With his three title defences in 2024, Pereira is currently riding an immeasurable wave of momentum, and a win over a rival with Ankalaev’s calibre would cement Pereira’s dominant run and put him up on the pedestal as one of the greatest fighters of all time.
On the other hand, for Ankalaev, he has been calling for his shot at the title for a while and believes Pereira is the perfect opponent to take the belt from. Ankalaev has explained he believes he has the skillset to neutralise Pereira, despite agreeing beforehand that he will not initiate takedowns and will instead strike with the champion.
UFC 313 Announcement | HOF
Justin Gaethje vs. Dan Hooker
UFC 313 also features two of the most violent fighters on the roster, with #3-ranked lightweight Justin Gaethje and #6-ranked Dan Hooker battling in a potential five-round title eliminator. Both fighters enter this matchup from contrasting trajectories: Gaethje is coming off a KO loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300 in April 2024, while Hooker rides a three-fight win streak with impressive victories over Mateusz Gamrot, Jalin Turner, and Claudio Puelles.
Gaethje has repeatedly proven why he’s regarded as one of the toughest and most exciting fighters on the UFC roster. A recipient of an astonishing eight Fight of the Night bonuses, Gaethje has delivered unforgettable performances against elite competition, including Max Holloway, Eddie Alvarez, Tony Ferguson, Michael Chandler, and Dustin Poirier. Despite being on the end of a vicious loss, Gaethje wants to set a reminder to the lightweight division that he remains a threat for anybody in the lightweight division.
Hooker, meanwhile, has staged an impressive resurgence after enduring a rough patch between 2020 and 2022. Hooker has now emerged as a dangerous contender in the lightweight division. His Fight of the Night victory over Gamrot at UFC 305 in August 2024 showcased how much he has developed a fighter, solidifying him as a legitimate threat to the division’s elite.
The stylistic matchup between Gaethje and Hooker almost guarantees a Fight of the Night bonus, with Gaethje’s vicious power and crippling leg-kicks mixed with Hooker’s lengthy striking and toughness makes this fight a must watch for any fight fan.
We are in for a treat for UFC 313 on March 8th, and we cannot wait to see what else this card will bring to us!