The Dagestani made good on his promise to mark “Poatan’s” toughest test to date, using his well-rounded arsenal to outpoint the Brazilian fan favorite across five rounds inside T-Mobile Arena.
Among those watching on was Du Plessis, who has long expressed his plans to eventually move up and challenge for two-division glory. Should that occur anytime soon, the South African will no longer be getting a high-profile money fight with arguably the UFC’s top star.
“And he (Pereira) wants to go down to middleweight?” Du Plessis said with a laugh while watching the fight. “Ankalaev fought a good game. Thanks Ankalaev for taking the biggest payday of my life.”
Pereira, though, has plans to return to the 205-pound throne. The former middleweight and light heavyweight kingpin outlined his intention to seek immediate redemption opposite Ankalaev later this year, and UFC CEO Dana White was quick to green light a rematch.
Du Plessis, meanwhile, is expected to place his attention on the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev next after already pushing past challenges from Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland.
Over a week on from Magomed Ankalaev’s victory over Alex Pereira, the newly crowned UFC light heavyweight champion’s coach has leveled an allegation against his man’s foe.
In the end, the Dagestani was actually unable to drag Pereira to the mat, with the kickboxing specialist showing a staunch takedown defense inside T-Mobile Arena.
During a recent interview with Ushatayka, however, coach Sukhrab Magomedov suggested that the now-former light heavyweight kingpin’s ability to withstand Ankalaev’s grappling was not down to increasing skill, but a forbidden “substance.”
“To be honest, the plan from the beginning was to engage in wrestling; get close, in the clinch, wear him down,” Magomedov said. “But, when Magomed pushed him to the fence near our corner, it seemed to me that Pereira had some kind of substance on him. If my experience isn’t wrong, that’s what I’d say was the case.
“The sweat didn’t flow off his body, it gelled up. That’s what it looks like on his body, too. Magomed said afterward that he smelled like he had some ointment on and was sticky,” Magomed continued. “Let’s not forget that Glover Teixeira is a veteran of the game and knows all the tricks.”
Alex Pereira and his coaching team are yet to responded to the accusation.
Should the pair’s expected rematch be cemented into the calendar for later this year, the topic of ‘greasing’ will likely rear its head again closer to the occasion.
Despite Alex Pereira’s recent loss at UFC 313, Chael Sonnen remains optimistic about his potential to challenge Jon Jones in the future.
Pereira lost the UFC light heavyweight championship to Magomed Ankalaev via unanimous decision in Las Vegas, a defeat that derailed previous speculation about a potential heavyweight showdown with Jones.
While a Jones vs. Pereira superfight is no longer on the horizon, Sonnen believes Pereira’s performance at UFC 313 addressed a major criticism. —his wrestling defense.
Pereira successfully defended all 12 of Ankalaev’s takedown attempts, showcasing significant improvement in his ground game.
“You don’t get very far when you start talking about Alex Pereira vs. Jon Jones,” Sonnen said. “You just don’t get there because we know that Jon can throw him down and beat him up. Like, that’s just something that Jon does so well. He can throw people down and then beat them up.
“Well, you go watch this fight, and you go, ‘Hey, you know what? It turns out that old Alex Pereira isn’t so easy to take down.’ Alex Pereira really showed some stuff. That entire narrative that he can’t wrestle and he can’t defend is now gone. Ankalaev revealed his plan, and that was to take him down—his plan failed.”
Though the loss was a setback, Sonnen suggests that Pereira’s defensive improvements could still make him a compelling future contender.
Magomed Ankalaev has addressed criticism regarding the perceived lack of excitement in his UFC 313 main event victory over Alex Pereira, placing the blame on his opponent. Now, he is looking to run it back.
Compared to Pereira’s typically high-energy title bouts, Ankalaev’s unanimous decision victory — which earned him the UFC light heavyweight championship — was notably subdued, drawing widespread criticism from fans and fighters alike.
At the post-fight press conference, Ankalaev defended his strategy, arguing that Pereira’s unwillingness to engage led to the fight’s lack of action. While the judges awarded him a unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46), some observers disagreed.
Ankalaev later took to X to declare his readiness for a rematch, vowing it won’t go the distance.
“I’m ready for round 6, but this time it will not go the full distance. Let’s go, guys,” he wrote.
With this victory, Ankalaev has reached a pivotal moment in his career. His win over Pereira has sparked discussions about his next challenges, with a rematch highly anticipated.
The buzz surrounding UFC 313 has also fueled speculation among MMA fans about potential future contenders.
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Błachowicz plans to alter the expected direction of his division’s title picture — and the expected future of Alex Pereira.
The 205-pound weight class received a shake-up this past weekend when Magomed Ankalaev ended the reign of Pereira, which had successfully moved through three challenges before running into the Dagestani at UFC 313.
But a former opponent of Pereira’s plans to scupper such plans.
During an appearance on Wednesday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Błachowicz outlined his goal of securing a rematch with Ankalaev for the gold by making a statement in his return against Carlos Ulberg next weekend in London.
“I beat (Ulberg), then I take a title shot against (Ankalaev),” Błachowicz said. “I beat Ankalaev and then rematch against (Pereira). I defend the belt against Pereira. This is the perfect scenario for me. Then I can go to the mountains again.”
Following a draw in his battle with Ankalaev for the then-vacant title in late 2022, Jan Błachowicz welcomed Alex Pereira to the light heavyweight division in mid-2023.
The Polish veteran fell on the wrong side of a split decision after an incredibly close three-round clash. He’s since been looking toward a chance for redemption against Pereira, and he intends to reach that as a two-time champion at 205 pounds.
Alex Pereira’s ascent to light heavyweight dominance — marked by five straight wins, four knockout title fights, and victories over former champions — had built an aura of invincibility.
At UFC 313, however, Magomed Ankalaev dismantled that perception, ending Pereira’s reign in a decisive five-round encounter.
While the fight remained competitive, Pereira appeared uncharacteristically passive, often yielding ground to Ankalaev’s relentless pressure and cage control.
UFC color commentator Michael Bisping discussed Pereira’s performance on the Believe You Me podcast, with fellow analyst Paul Felder voicing strong criticism. “The Irish Dragon” called out Pereira for what he perceived as a lack of urgency.
“He never really opened up,” Felder said of Alex Pereira. “I was getting — I don’t wanna say mad, I’m not his coach, I’m not a training partner — but as a fan of the guy and somebody that I like to see perform, I was p*ssed off, dude.
“I agree that it was a bit lazy and one-sided on his part for a guy that’s got dynamite and apparently rocks in those hands,” Felder continued. “He never let them go. That’s just lazy.”
Alex Pereira’s light heavyweight journey, marked by five consecutive wins, four title fight knockouts, and victories over multiple former champions, had elevated him to another-level status. However, at UFC 313, Magomed Ankalaev ended the Brazilian’s reign, outpointing him in a five-round main event.
Despite the competitive nature of the fight, Pereira appeared hesitant at times, spending much of the bout under Ankalaev’s pressure and control. The Dagestani strategically avoided takedowns while maintaining control, exposing vulnerabilities in “Poatan’s” previously impenetrable aura at 205 pounds.
While the loss is a setback, it doesn’t mean Alex Pereira has been fully figured out. Instead, Ankalaev’s calculated approach highlighted areas for the former champion to address, suggesting that his story is far from over.
“I don’t think exposed is the right word, but I think it humanized him,” UFC legend Matt Brown said of Alex Pereira on the latest episode of MMA Fighting’s The Fighter vs. The Writer. “Because he was living off all this hype. The UFC is masterful at hyping guys up. I think all of us — it’s hard for anybody, even astute followers of the game like me or you or fighters that understand all the intricacies — it’s hard for us to ignore the amount of hype people put into him. They do this all the time.
“They did it with Conor [McGregor], they did it with Ronda [Rousey], they do it with Alex. It’s a constant thing. Jon Jones is the only guy that’s kind of lived up to that, and I say kind of because he lost to [Dominick] Reyes. He had some close fights, but he’s kind of the only guy who really just lived up to that hype and not lost,” Brown continued. “(Alex Pereira’s) still a great fighter. He’s still everything we thought he was, but the UFC kind of overplayed their cards.”
Pereira’s rapid rise through the light heavyweight division has sometimes overshadowed the challenges he faced earlier in his UFC tenure.
While he has been dominant in his title fights at 205 pounds, his knockout loss to Israel Adesanya before moving up in weight serves as a reminder of his past struggles.
Israel Adesanya shared his live reaction to Magomed Ankalaev’s decision victory over Alex Pereira this past weekend at UFC 313, expressing surprise at the judges’ scorecards and questioning the fight’s outcome.
“I had Alex winning… but I have to watch it again and score the fight properly,” Adesanya said during his YouTube reaction video. Like many fans, he appeared puzzled by the 49-46 score in favor of Ankalaev, especially given Pereira’s striking success.
Adesanya acknowledged Ankalaev’s clinch work but wasn’t convinced it was enough to secure the win. “He dropped him, yeah… but the holding? He didn’t really do much with the holding.” Pereira’s aggressive striking seemed to impress Adesanya more, but he admitted the fight was competitive.
Despite the controversial outcome, Adesanya believes a rematch is likely.
“I think he’ll get a rematch… spin the block, we out.”
Given Pereira’s standing in the division and UFC’s history of booking rematches for close fights, Adesanya’s prediction holds weight.
In classic “Stylebender” fashion, Adesanya ended with a reflective take on the unpredictability of MMA:
“What a stupid game we play—I f***ing love it.”
With the controversy surrounding this fight, the debate will rage on, and all eyes will be on whether Pereira gets another shot at Ankalaev.
Adesanya’s most recent fight was against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night 250 on February 1, 2025, at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which ended in a second-round knockout loss for the Stylebender. This marked Adesanya’s third consecutive loss, putting him at 1-4 in his past five bouts.
“Poatan” came out strong, battering his opponent with his signature calf kicks. However, as the fight progressed into the middle rounds, his momentum began to wane. While he couldn’t mount much offense, he showcased impressive takedown defense.
In the final round, Pereira regained his momentum and pushed the pace, but it wasn’t enough to sway the judges, who awarded Ankalaev a unanimous decision victory.
In the buildup to UFC 313, Alex Pereira faced heavy skepticism from UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier, who joined some others in doubting his commitment to preparation. “DC” pointed to Pereira’s leisure trips and laid-back social media presence as signs that he wasn’t fully focused on his title defense.
He appeared uncharacteristically off, and former two-division champion Henry Cejudo believes he knows exactly what may have caused it.
During a recent episode of his Pound 4 Pound Podcast, Cejudo shared his thoughts on the Pereira vs. Ankalaev showdown. He suggested that “Poatan’s” extravagant way of living, among other factors, may have finally caught up with him.
“I think Alex Pereira’s lifestyle is finally kind of catching up to him, it’s finally catching up to him,” Cejudo said. “The travel, the ‘chama’, the lot of the skits and a lot of stuff that he’s actually doing, it’s really not doing him any service. His body looked a little different, dude. He looked a little pudgier, he looked a little thicker in the face going in, but then we have to credit Magomed Ankalaev.”
Alex Pereira enjoyed a stellar run in 2024, successfully defending his UFC light heavyweight title three times — all by knockout.
The former champion had previously suffered a setback against Israel Adesanya at UFC 287 in April 2023 but rebounded in dominant fashion, moving up a division and racking up an impressive five-fight winning streak.
Within the last year, Pereira dominated the UFC light heavyweight division, defending his title three times — all via knockouts. His résumé boasts finishes over former champions like Israel Adesanya, Jan Błachowicz, and Jiří Procházka (twice), to name a few.
Ahead of the opening bell, Alex Pereira received some notable recognition, joining a prestigious group that includes only Conor McGregor and Jon Jones.
The legendary voice of the Octagon, Bruce Buffer, acknowledged Pereira’s status by introducing him as “The One, The Only” — a distinguished title reserved for the sport’s most iconic figures.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQ-w2cB2Zbw
Buffer first bestowed this accolade upon “The Notorious” when he made his much-anticipated return to the Octagon at UFC 246 in January 2020 against Donald Cerrone. McGregor delivered a knockout victory in just 40 seconds.
At UFC 285 in March 2023, Buffer honored “Bones” with the same iconic introduction as he made his heavyweight debut against Ciryl Gane. Jones secured a first-round submission victory to claim the title.
The fight remained tightly contested from start to finish. “Poatan” set the tone with a sharp opening round, but Ankalaev responded in the second, finding his rhythm and rocking Pereira with a thunderous left hand — arguably the biggest moment of the fight.
Despite his reputation as the superior wrestler, the Dagestani struggled to secure a takedown, failing on all his attempts. However, he compensated by relentlessly pressing forward, dictating the tempo, and trapping Pereira against the cage for extended stretches in the later stages of the fight.
Two judges scored the bout 48-47, while the third had it 49-46, all siding with Ankalaev. However, with several rounds feeling razor-close in real-time, many in the MMA community argued that while the newly crowned champ’s approach proved successful against Pereira, it often results in uneventful fights that lack excitement.
At the UFC 313 post-fight press conference, the newly minted UFC 205-pound champion addressed criticism of his fighting style, expressing confusion over why many label it as boring.
“I don’t understand why people think that my fights are boring,” Magomed Ankalaev said. “Everybody thought that Alex Pereira, coming into this fight, was the most exciting striker in the division, and then you saw the way he fought against me. It seems as though when people come out and fight against me, they all become boring. You saw what he did, so it’s not just dependent on me — it also depends on the dance partner, on the opponent that I’m fighting.”
With his victory over Alex Pereira, Magomed Ankalaev extended his unbeaten streak to 14 fights — the third-longest active run in the UFC. Along the way, he has claimed wins over top contenders like Aleksandar Rakić, Thiago Santos, and Anthony Smith.
Alex Pereira has hinted at his plans for the future following a disappointing result at UFC 313 this weekend.
Pereira, a former middleweight titleholder, saw his championship reign and undefeated run at 205 pounds come to a halt at Saturday’s pay-per-view event inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.
Following a 2024 in which he defeated Jamahal Hill, Jiří Procházka, and Khalil Rountree Jr. to record three successful defenses, “Poatan” was next handed the challenge of Magomed Ankalaev.
Though fans aren’t exactly clamoring to see the matchup again giving how it played out at UFC 313, Pereira suggested during a video uploaded to his social media accounts that a rematch is likely next.
“Gonna make some adjustments for the rematch, and I’ll be back much better, you can count on it,” Alex Pereira said. “Never give up on your dreams. Chama.”
— Alex "Poatan" Pereira (@AlexPereiraUFC) March 9, 2025
That sentiment appears to also be shared by the higher-ups, with UFC CEO Dana White confirming during his post-fight press conference that a second dance between Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira is “probably” next.
Alex Pereira’s post-fight demeanor at UFC 313 reflected his disappointment after losing the light heavyweight title to Magomed Ankalaev in a five-round decision.
Known for his knockout power and exciting fights, Pereira struggled to find his rhythm against Ankalaev’s pressure.
“Poatan’s” offensive output was limited in the fight. Aside from his last-round surge, there were few notable moments for him. The most significant strike of the night came from Ankalaev — a powerful left hook in the second round that visibly hurt Pereira.
Ankalaev’s constant forward pressure and prolonged cage control during the championship rounds further compounded the Brazilian’s struggles. Ultimately, the judges awarded Ankalaev a unanimous decision victory with scores of 49-46, 48-47, and 48-47, crowning him the new UFC light heavyweight champion.
“I knew it would be a war,” Alex Pereira said during his post-fight interview. “Every fight of mine is a war. He put some pressure in the second round. I felt some of his strikes, but putting me up against the cage, he didn’t really do anything. We followed our strategy. We know that he puts people against the fence, and he plays that game.
“Giving him the win with a game plan like that kind of incentivizes people to do that,” he continued. “People might say it’s a boring style, but when a guy gets a win doing that, it kind of makes people want to do that, too. I hurt him against the fence — the only difference is I was the one against the fence.”
Ankalaev’s unanimous decision win, which secured him the UFC light heavyweight championship, was notably less explosive than Pereira’s previous title fights, drawing criticism from both fans and fellow fighters.
During the post-fight press conference, the Dagestani defended his strategic approach, arguing that Pereira’s reluctance to engage was the primary reason for the fight’s subdued nature. The judges scored the closely contested bout 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46 in Ankalaev’s favor. However, some people thought otherwise.
Despite the close scores and differing opinions, the new champ remained firm that the outcome was never in doubt while speaking at the post-fight press conference. He maintained that Pereira’s hesitancy to engage was the reason for the fight’s lack of action, and therefore, the criticism was unwarranted.
“It was very different from what we envisioned because, as you know, usually Pereira hunts for the finish,” Magomed Ankalaev said via a Russian translator. “He moves forward, he tries to hunt down his opponents for the finish. Here, it was very different, as you can see. He was running away from me, he wasn’t letting me work, and he himself wasn’t really working much, so you saw the way it played out.
“I was confident. I kept on moving forward, I kept pressuring him, and he kept running away from me. For 20 minutes, this guy was running away from me. Then I heard at the end of the fight he was saying that he wasn’t sure why the victory was given to me. Who’s supposed to be given the victory? I’ve been pressuring him the entire time, he was running for 20 minutes, and then he’s wondering who’s supposed to get the victory? Listen, I’m happy for a rematch if he wants one. But maybe in the rematch, he can fight for real and not just run away the entire time.”
The light heavyweight division has been given a major shake-up courtesy of Magomed Ankalaev.
In upset fashion, Ankalaev’s grappling proved to be too much for “Poatan,” as the Dagestani defeated Alex Pereira in the main event of UFC 313 to become the new UFC light heavyweight champion.
Pereira focused on leg kicks to start the fight, while Ankalaev looked to find a way inside. The challenger tried to increase his output and pressure past the halfway point of the first round, but Pereira continued to work the legs, chewing up Ankalaev’s right leg.
Ankalaev looked to pressure and take control right away in the second. And while Pereira continued to bother him with leg kicks, it worked in the Russian’s favor. The challenger found success with short strikes on the inside, including a powerful one that rocked Pereira moments before the end of the second round.
Ankalaev continued his advancement in a quiet third round, and though he couldn’t score a takedown, he continued to find success. The fourth was quiet as well, with the challenger overwhelming the defending champion against the fence a number of times, completely dominating him with grappling control.
The Dagestani then took this strategy into the fifth round, battling a last-ditch effort from Pereira, before the judges all gave the fight and title to him, with a 49-46 scorecard and two 48-47s.
Magomed Ankalaev Captures UFC Light Heavyweight Title With Decision Over Alex Pereira At UFC 313
Should be 3-2 for Pereira but candidly not the most exciting fight and it was indeed close. I think the threat of the takedown may have quieted the offense of the Brazilian. Anklaev showed some good pressure as well but don’t think it was enough for the upset. #ufc313
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) March 9, 2025
Magomed Ankalaev continues to remain unbeaten since dropping his 2018 UFC debut. He’s now won three straight.
The Russian had battled Jan Blachowicz to a controversial split draw at UFC 282 in December 2022 — a fight that Blachowicz stated he thought Ankalaev deserved the nod and title in.
Meanwhile, Pereira’s reign comes to an end after winning the title with a finish of Jiří Procházka at UFC 295. He defended the belt three times last year against Jamahal Hill, Procházka, and Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 300, UFC 303, and UFC 307, respectively.
UFC 313 took place tonight from the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights!
In the main event, Alex Pereira put his light heavyweight title on the line against Magomed Ankalaev. While in the co-main event, Justin Gaethje faced Rafael Fiziev in a lightweight matchup.
UFC 313 Results: Main Card
Light Heavyweight Championship: Magomed Ankalaev def. Alex Pereira via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47×2)
Lightweight: Justin Gaethje def. Rafael Fiziev via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
Lightweight: Ignacio Bahamondes def. Jalin Turner via submission: R1, 2.29
This matchup is widely considered the toughest test of Pereira’s stint at 205 pounds, sparking debate about his ability to overcome a highly skilled contender.
Despite the challenge, Pereira’s devastating power and striking precision always make victory a possibility. And should that be the case, beyond this weekend’s fight, speculation continues to swirl about the future of “Poatan.”
Jon Anik, a leading voice in commentary for the UFC, has presented intriguing possibilities for Pereira’s next move.
One notable suggestion is a potential return to the middleweight division, where Alex Pereira previously held the championship. This scenario could set up exciting matchups and compelling narratives for the Brazilian fighter.
“Alex Pereira can still make middleweight, and he wants to fight Dricus du Plessis,” Anik said. “He did not defend the UFC middleweight championship. Of all the accolades for the future UFC Hall of Famer Alex ‘Poatan’ Pereira, he never defended the middleweight championship, and if you think for a second that he doesn’t have an appetite — no pun intended — to go back down to 185 (pounds), you’re absolutely crazy.
“If the calendar doesn’t align for him to challenge Jon Jones or Tom Aspinall in the heavyweight division, I don’t think he’s going to stick around at 205 to fight Bogdan Guskov, even though you and I f*cking love the guy. He’s probably going to try to go down to 185 and fight Dricus Du Plessis.”
UFC 313 takes place on Saturday night, and MMA News is here to bring you the final faceoffs from the ceremonial weigh-ins!
The upcoming pay-per-view event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada provides a chance for UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira to record his fourth successful title defense. To continue his reign beyond the March 8 main event, “Poatan” is tasked with spoiling the ambitions of top contender Magomed Ankalaev.
Co-headlining will be former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, who will look to bounce back from his brutal knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300 11 months ago getting the better of striking specialist Rafael Fiziev for a second time.
Elsewhere on the card, entertaining lightweights Jalin Turner and Ignacio Bahamondes collide, ex-strawweight title challenger Amanda Lemos looks to halt up-and-coming Iasmin Lucindo’s surge up the ladder, and Fighting Nerds product Mauricio Ruffy meets veteran King Green.
UFC 313 takes place tomorrow night, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!
After staging fights in Los Angeles and Sydney to open its pay-per-view schedule for 2025, the mixed martial arts leader’s next port of call comes close to its home base in Las Vegas.
One title will be on the line at the top of the card, with Alex Pereira defending his light heavyweight belt against top contender Magomed Ankalaev in the main event. Co-headlining, meanwhile, will be a crucial rematch at 155 pounds between former interim champion Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev.
Also on the main card will be returns for lightweight contender Jalin Turner, former strawweight title challenger Amanda Lemos, and Fighting Nerds standout Mauricio Ruffy.
UFC 313 Weigh-In Video, Results
UFC 313 takes place Saturday, March 8 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT.
See above for a replay of the UFC 313 Weigh-In Show, and check out the full results below.
Main Card:
Light Heavyweight Championship: Alex Pereira (205lbs) vs. Magomed Ankalaev (205lbs)
Lightweight: Justin Gaethje (156lbs) vs. Rafael Fiziev (156lbs)
Lightweight: Jalin Turner (154.5lbs) vs. Ignacio Bahamondes (156lbs)
Women’s Strawweight: Amanda Lemos (116lbs) vs. Iasmin Lucindo (115.5lbs)
Lightweight: King Green (155.5lbs) vs. Mauricio Ruffy (155.5lbs)
Preliminary Card:
Heavyweight: Curtis Blaydes (262lbs) vs. Rizvan Kuniev (264.5lbs)
Flyweight: Joshua Van (125.5lbs) vs. Rei Tsuruya (125.5lbs)
Middleweight: Brunno Ferreira (186lbs) vs. Armen Petrosyan (186lbs)
Welterweight: Alex Morono (171lbs) vs. Carlos Leal (169lbs)
Early Preliminary Card:
Featherweight: Mairon Santos (145.5lbs) vs. Francis Marshall (146lbs)
Featherweight: Chris Gutierrez (144.5lbs) vs. John Castañeda (145lbs)
Middleweight: Djorden Santos (185.5lbs) vs. Ozzy Diaz (185.5lbs)
Setting the stage for the UFC 313 headliners will be a key rematch at 155 pounds. Former interim champ Justin Gaethje will look to emerge victorious from his first fight since a brutal knockout loss to Max Holloway last April, as he runs it back with a man he’s previously gotten the better of in Azerbaijan’s Rafael Fiziev.
Also on pay-per-view will be a clash of lightweight strikers in Jalin Turner and Ignacio Bahamondes, an important strawweight bout between Amanda Lemos and Iasmin Lucindo, and the latest test for Fighting Nerds standout Mauricio Ruffy opposite King Green.
As is customary during major fight weeks, the athletes will take to the stage on Thursday for the UFC 313 pre-fight press conference. The latest edition will see the main and co-main events, as well as Turner and Bahamondes, with mic in hand.
The main event will see light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira defend his title for the fourth time since capturing it at the expense of Jiří Procházka 16 months ago. To continue his reign, “Poatan” is tasked with spoiling the ambitions of top contender Magomed Ankalaev.
Co-headlining will be former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, who will look to bounce back from his brutal knockout loss to Max Holloway last April by once again getting the better of striking specialist Rafael Fiziev.
Elsewhere on the card, entertaining lightweights Jalin Turner and Ignacio Bahamondes collide, ex-strawweight title challenger Amanda Lemos looks to halt up-and-coming Iasmin Lucindo’s rise, and Fighting Nerds standout Mauricio Ruffy meets King Green.
UFC 313: MMA News Staff Predictions
Ahead of Saturday’s UFC 313 event, Thomas Albano, Ryan Jarrell, Pranav Pandey, and Aakrit Sharma have provided their picks for the five matchups set for the main card.
Below, you can check out the current leaderboard through two cards in 2025.
Thomas Albano (6-2) & Pranav Pandey (6-2)
Ryan Jarrell (4-4) & Aakrit Sharma (4-4)
And with that, it’s time for the team’s predictions for UFC 313.
Lightweight: King Green vs. Mauricio Ruffy
Images: UFC.com
Thomas Albano: I want to commend King Green for the run and wins that he continues to have all these years later in the UFC – at the age of 38. But this is a problem fight for him. Mauricio Ruffy and the Fighting Nerds have been the biggest names to watch for this year in the UFC. The team dominated the scene in 2024 and continues to rack up wins and popularity. Ruffy is a dangerous finisher who can give Green, who has finishing ability and power in his own right, trouble. Someone on the Fighting Nerds should be UFC champion within these next couple of years. Mark my words. (Prediction: Mauricio Ruffy)
Ryan Jarrell: I’ve always been a big fan of Green’s fan-friendly fighting style. He always comes to fight, even if it gets him into a bit of trouble. At some point, Father Time catches up to us all, and I think that time is getting very close for the 26-fight UFC veteran. Ruffy is just 28 years old and is coming into this fight with a ton of momentum and confidence. If he fights smart and doesn’t get dragged into a dog fight, then it’s his fight to lose. Give me the young lion to kick off the PPV card with a win. (Prediction: Mauricio Ruffy)
Pranav Pandey: This feels like a brutal assignment for the American, and I can’t help but think the matchmakers did him no favors with this one. Green brings swagger to the cage, pairing it with a slick boxing game, but he’s up against a relentless young menace with a knack for finishing fights. Ruffy’s surge is undeniable, and underestimating him would be a mistake. He’s got the power, elite grappling, and a killer instinct to make this a nightmare for Green — and I wouldn’t be surprised if he adds another stoppage to his record. (Prediction: Mauricio Ruffy)
Aakrit Sharma: Ruffy’s last win against James Llontop was a good showcase of his striking. He has yet another durable opponent in Green, who wouldn’t mind a standup battle for three rounds. The lightweight veteran looked impressive against Jim Miller, but he’s started to struggle against up-and-coming talent or explosive strikers such as Paddy Pimblett, Jalin Turner, and Drew Dober. At 38 years old, I’m not expecting him to get any better skill-wise, and at UFC 313, he’s likely being used to push Ruffy up the rankings and help the McGregor-esque striker become a bigger draw.
All things considered, this should be an easy win for the Brazilian at UFC 313, and I don’t think Green’s ground game is threatening enough to pull off a submission upset. (Prediction: Mauricio Ruffy)
Consensus: 4-0 Mauricio Ruffy
Women’s Strawweight: Amanda Lemos vs. Iasmin Lucindo
Images: UFC.com
Thomas Albano: Amanda Lemos is going to look for a needed bounce-back victory at UFC 313 after getting submitted by Virna Jandiroba in what some might consider an upset. Lemos is still a top name at 115 pounds but has now lost two of three, which includes an unsuccessful challenge of champion Weili Zhang. Iasmin Lucindo lost her UFC debut but has since won four straight, which includes wins over Polyana Viana, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, and Marina Rodriguez. A win over Lemos would vault her right into one of the names to consider as a top contender.
This is the experience vs. youth battle, and Lucindo may be able to battle for control in grappling situations against Lemos. The former title challenger, however, has power that Lucindo has not come across before, and that could spell trouble for the 23-year-old. (Prediction: Amanda Lemos)
Ryan Jarrell: In the fight game, the young usually eats the old. According to the odds, that’s what may happen here. But Lemos still has plenty left in the tank as far as I’m concerned. Yes, she was caught by Jandiroba in her most recent fight. But outside of that, she’s into lost to Weili and Jéssica Andrade. I just don’t think she is done just yet. Give me the veteran to hold off the charging youngster and win a decision. (Prediction: Amanda Lemos)
Pranav Pandey: The all-Brazilian duel I never knew I needed. Lemos, the seasoned veteran, undoubtedly holds the edge in experience, but the scales seem tilted against her in this matchup. The former title challenger is up against a younger, hungrier opponent with heavier hands, slicker grappling, and a growing reputation for dismantling strawweight veterans. If Lucindo can dictate the pace, I believe she’ll take control and make this fight her own. (Prediction: Iasmin Lucindo)
Aakrit Sharma: This is another veteran vs. newcomer matchup in the UFC women’s strawweight division. To be fair, it’s hard to pick who will favor the 14-year age gap more. While Lucindo, 23, has the potential to show up better with every new fight, Lemos has already faced the top competitors of the division and has impressive wins over the likes of Mackenzie Dern and Angela Hill. Lucindo is an undeniable prospect with a bright future ahead of her. However, after her last fight, I concluded that her time to grab or fight for the title is still far, and she needs to improve her striking significantly.
Even if she wins this weekend at UFC 313, she’ll be heavily outclassed by the division’s top five, which contains Jéssica Andrade, Tatiana Suarez, and Yan Xiaonan. Her last victory was a split decision that was only granted to her based on control, and she can’t afford to be hit that often against a strong opponent like Lemos. I do think this is a 50-50 fight, but I’ll pick Lucindo because of her activity and constantly improving game. If she feels threatened on the feet, she can take the fight to the ground, and Lemos will likely have a hard time getting back up. (Prediction: Iasmin Lucindo)
Consensus: 2-2
Lightweight: Jalin Turner vs. Ignacio Bahamondes
Images: UFC.com
Thomas Albano: Jalin Turner has lost three of his last four, though those losses have come against some great competition. Ignacio Bahamondes, however, has had a decent rise up the lightweight ranks since coming into the UFC in 2021, with just two losses in his Octagon run so far. Bahamondes has got the momentum, obviously. However, Turner has fought better competition and will have the physical advantage when it comes to his long limbs and lanky body. Bahamondes has shown some weakness in the ground game, and Turner should be smart and try to take advantage of that (especially after the bad fight IQ he displayed against Renato Moicano last year).
Turner’s three losses in his current downward trend aren’t bad considering the names, but four losses in five fights and a defeat in this fight may completely dash any chances of Turner reaching noteworthy contender status in the UFC again. I expect him to pull through with a second-round submission. (Prediction: Jalin Turner)
Ryan Jarrell: This is an interesting UFC 313 matchup considering the size of these two for the weight class. Both men are six foot three with a 75.5 inch reach. “The Tarantula” is two years older than Bahamondes, and has definitely faced the tougher competition during his tenure in the UFC. I think it’s Turner’s time to make a run. He’s a little older and probably feels the pressure to win now. Bahamondes will be around for years to come, but I am going with the American to get this win. (Prediction: Jalin Turner)
Pranav Pandey: I think this fight has all the makings of an all-out barnburner. I anticipate a striking-heavy battle, which undoubtedly favors Turner due to his towering reach advantage. However, “La Jaula” arguably possesses the sharper fight IQ — it’s just a matter of whether he can navigate the danger zones without getting tangled in “The Tarantula’s” grappling. With that in mind, Bahamondes is riding a strong wave from back-to-back finishes last year, and if he can find the openings and exploit them with precision, I can see him dishing out serious damage and putting the American through a punishing ordeal. (Prediction: Ignacio Bahamondes)
Aakrit Sharma: Turner looking really good against most of his opponents, including top-ranked fighters, thanks to his power and striking but then losing by a close margin really bugs me. Bahamondes, as good and dangerous on the feet as he is, isn’t a Dan Hooker, Renato Moicano or a Mateusz Gamrot. His submission win over Rongzhu has aged like fine wine, but I don’t see the unranked prospect moving past “The Tarantula” just yet because grappling is not his forte, and Turner is tough as nails on the feet. It’s important to remember that Turner could’ve registered a very impressive KO win over Moicano at UFC 300, and his career trajectory would’ve been completely different. I strongly believe he’s just been unlucky with the matchups and, well, is also competing in the toughest division in the promotion.
It’s unlikely for this fight to hit the ground unless one of the fighters uses it to recover from a knockdown. And because I believe Turner to be a better and more experienced striker, I pick him to win this fight. Both fighters are arguably in their physical primes, and this is easily a FOTN contender for UFC 313. (Prediction: Jalin Turner)
Consensus: 3-1 Jalin Turner
Lightweight: Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev
Images: UFC.com
Thomas Albano: It’s absolutely heartbreaking that injury has cost us what could have been an amazing UFC 313 war between Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker. But the consolation prize is great as well considering the close encounter these two had in their first fight, with Gaethje coming out on top at UFC 286 in a bout that was one of 2023’s best. Gaethje’s strategy will be more of the same – use leg kicks and combinations to deliver a star-stunning, highlight performance (no play on words intended). While there are questions about him being 36 and coming off the knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300, there should be plenty of questions about Fiziev as well.
Fiziev entered the first fight with Gaethje a 12-1 rising star, but he’s now lost two straight, having not fought since injuring his ACL against Mateusz Gamrot. Overall, I feel Fiziev will be able to have a strong effort in his first fight back from injury, but Gaethje’s pressure and striking will give him the taste of victory once again. (Prediction: Justin Gaethje)
Ryan Jarrell: Two years later, we are getting a rematch that all combat sports will love. The first fight was very close, with both having their moments. I don’t want to see Gaethje walk off into the sunset anytime soon, but I am starting to wonder how many more fights we will see “The Highlight” compete in. After his lopsided loss to Holloway, it was smart to take time off and not book a fight too soon. Will that rest be enough for the 36-year-old to look like himself in this rematch? I’m not sure it is, so for that reason I’m going with the younger fighter in Fiziev to battle his way to a decision victory in this one. (Prediction: Rafael Fiziev)
Pranav Pandey: Both fighters have a deep understanding of each other’s arsenals, and that level of exposure breeds a more refined yet relentless brand of controlled mayhem — especially when Gaethje is involved. Their first encounter was razor-close, and this time, the short-notice booking makes it even more exciting. Both men are returning from a loss and an extended hiatus, but it’s “Ataman” who has been out of action for a significantly longer stretch. I believe that layoff could be a crucial factor in this rematch.
On the other hand, “The Highlight” endured a brutal beating in his last outing, and whether the aftermath of that fight still lingers remains to be seen. That said, I think his relentless aggression and spunk — while both a weapon and a liability — give him the edge in this matchup. One thing’s for sure: I don’t see this fight reaching the judges’ scorecards at UFC 313. (Prediction: Justin Gaethje)
Aakrit Sharma: Two things. First, I am in the minority of people who think Fiziev won the first fight due to the first two rounds. He did get battered in the third, but the eye poke from Gaethje definitely played a role in it. Second, Fiziev is more accurate and faster on the feet, which is not a huge surprise considering his kickboxing background. He proved he has all the tools to outstrike “The Highlight” on any day, but the veteran lightweight is as durable as they come, which helped him in the first fight, too. Gaethje, who’s become a very patient and calculated striker at this point, might want to mix things up by utilizing his wrestling in this fight, but as we know it, that’s not how he secures bonuses every time he enters the Octagon.
This fight will also reveal whether Gaethje has truly recovered from the Holloway KO. It is often said that fighters don’t remain the same after such crushing losses, but I still have faith in Gaethje’s ability to turn this into another brawl to be remembered for ages. Fiziev has had quite the time to recover from the knee injury that occurred in the Gamrot bout, and this time around, he’ll likely come to fight with the necessary adjustments against former interim UFC lightweight champ. Instead of trying to take out Gaethje early, it would make more sense for “Ataman” to spend his gas task wisely and keep up the high output of strikes and kicks across all rounds. I predict that he will perform better than UFC 286 and finally become worthy of a title shot. (Prediction: Rafael Fiziev)
Consensus: 2-2
UFC Light Heavyweight Title: Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev
Images: @ufc/X & UFC.com
Thomas Albano: After a 2024 campaign that saw him in contention for the Male Fighter of the Year in MMA across various platforms, Alex Pereira looks to continue his dominant run at 205 pounds. He has saved the UFC a number of times with cards over the course of the last year, and now a win against Magomed Ankaleav could very well put him in the running for a potential superfight against Jon Jones or Tom Aspinall, if recent comments from Dana White are to be believed.
That said, Ankalaev, despite having his own kind of power, is going to need to utilize his takedowns and wrestling to its greatest potential. The Russian needs to set the pace early and may need to weather an early storm. It’s not what some people want to hear, but he needs to start scoring takedowns from the first round on. The more he can get this fight to the ground, the better the chances he has of walking out a champion. While Ankalaev has power in his leg kicks and his hands, we’ve seen how all Pereira needs to do is land one hook to put someone’s lights out. If Ankalaev is not careful at UFC 313, all it will take is just a mere few seconds for that to happen. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Ryan Jarrell: I keep going back and forth about this one. On paper, I think the safe bet is Pereira to continue his dominance and retain the title. But Ankalaev is a very interesting stylistic matchup for the champion. If this fight stays on the feet, it will be Pereira all day. But if Ankalaev can mix things up and get this fight to the ground, he could pull the upset and become the new champ. With how dominant the champion has been, I just can’t pick “Poatan” to lose his title. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Pranav Pandey: I believe the fight will exceed the expectations of what most are anticipating. That being said, while I think Ankalaev is undeniably a stylistic menace for Pereira, I can’t help but feel a certain frustration with the initial disrespect shown by the oddsmakers toward “Poatan”. Let’s not forget — he’s the reigning champion, and not just any champion, but an undeniable force of dominance. I think it’s crucial to remember that his striking prowess and his ability to control a fight elevate him to an entirely different level.
Ankalaev certainly possesses a well-rounded striking game, with solid reach and the added dimension of a wrestling threat that could pose some problems for Pereira. However, the reality is his takedown skills aren’t quite Khabib Nurmagomedov-esque. While Ankalaev will undoubtedly present challenges, we’ve already seen the blueprint laid out by Jan Błachowicz, who essentially handed every 205-pounder a game plan for neutralizing the Russian’s grappling — by relentlessly attacking his legs with a series of kicks. It’s a strategy that works, and it’s one that Pereira can certainly employ to his advantage.
If there’s one thing we know for certain, it’s that Pereira is a master at imposing his will on his opponents in ways that go beyond the ordinary with his powerful shots. I firmly believe that the prevailing notion — that Ankalaev is a challenge Pereira has never encountered — misses the mark. Honestly, Pereira presents a challenge Ankalaev has never faced. When all is said and done, I have no doubt that Pereira will rise to the occasion (again). (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Aakrit Sharma: MMA math doesn’t work all the time, but the way Jan Blachowicz was able to trouble Ankalaev with his leg kicks, I can foresee Pereira’s gameplan heading into the UFC 313 main event. Ankalaev’s plan, on the other hand, is a slight mystery as he didn’t show any willingness to grapple against a solid striker like Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308. He might’ve been proving a point about being good enough to stand and bang with the champ, but “Poatan” is undeniably miles ahead of the rest of the pack in striking and kickboxing.
The Russian is quick, and Pereira gets hit too, but the champ’s UFC 307 defense against Khalil Rountree made us realize that he has a solid chin at light heavyweight. He’s also fighting after a relatively long break, so I expect him to be in a better state physically. Ankalaev’s grappling advantage is being called the deciding factor for this fight. However, in a heavy division like light heavyweight, grappling exchanges lack the explosiveness, scrambles, agility, and technical intricacies seen in smaller divisions, which explains why upsets like Jiří Procházka submitting Glover Teixeira happen.
So, even with just brute strength and Teixeira’s continued training over the last couple of years, I think Pereira will be able to avert the threat on the ground against Ankalaev. The UFC light heavyweight kingpin also has decent cardio for his age. To win, he should be the one dictating the fight’s pace as usual, and I am picking him to end up with another highlight reel this weekend at UFC 313, as his knockout power is truly special at 205 pounds. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Consensus: 4-0 Alex Pereira
That’ll do it for our UFC 313 staff picks! What do you think? Do your predictions look similar? Let us know in the comments section! Also, you can check out the full UFC 313 card below.
Main Card:
Light Heavyweight Championship: Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev
Lightweight: Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev
Lightweight: Jalin Turner vs. Ignacio Bahamondes
Women’s Strawweight: Amanda Lemos vs. Iasmin Lucindo
Lightweight: King Green vs. Mauricio Ruffy
Preliminary Card:
Heavyweight: Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev
Flyweight: Joshua Van vs. Rei Tsuruya
Middleweight: Brunno Ferreira vs. Armen Petrosyan
Welterweight: Alex Morono vs. Carlos Leal
Early Preliminary Card:
Featherweight: Mairon Santos vs. Francis Marshall
Featherweight: Chris Gutierrez vs. John Castañeda
Middleweight: Djorden Santos vs. Ozzy Diaz
Be sure to keep it right here on MMANews.com for all the results, highlights, and updates on UFC 313!
Given their extensive history across multiple combat sports, Adesanya possesses unparalleled insight into Pereira’s fighting style. Their relationship, now marked by cordiality, lends significant weight to the former middleweight king’s analysis of Pereira’s fights.
Ankalaev’s diverse skillset is widely anticipated to test Pereira’s abilities to their limits. “Poatan,” however, heads into the fight with significant momentum, having successfully defended his title three times in 2024. A victory this weekend would solidify his place in history, making him the fastest light heavyweight champion to achieve four title defenses (within 329 days), surpassing Jon Jones’ record.
Adesanya’s prediction for the UFC 313 main event is decisive: he doesn’t foresee the clash between Pereira and Ankalaev going the full five rounds. Instead, Adesanya anticipates a decisive finish.
“Leg kicks. Let’s just address the f*cking elephant in the room,” Adesanya said. “That’s gonna be a factor in this fight. (Ankalaev) might have to become a wrestler in this fight. He might have to go into his bag for this one ’cause you can’t just (stand with Pereira).
“Maybe I’m banking so much on the leg kicks. I have experience with it. I know how painful it is and how effective it is,” Adesanya continued. “Regardless, I’m gonna go Pereira ’cause momentum. He’s just on a tear right now. When you have that kind of frame and power, you just trust in your skillset so much.”
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill has given his take on Saturday’s main event between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev — and he doesn’t foresee it being a popular one.
This weekend’s UFC 313 pay-per-view will conclude with Pereira’s fourth defense of the light heavyweight gold, which he held through three challenges in 2024.
Among the fallen contenders was Hill, who was knocked out by “Poatan” inside the first round at UFC 300 last April.
But despite feeling the full force of Pereira’s patented left hook, “Sweet Dreams” doesn’t expect Magomed Ankalaev to suffer the same fate inside T-Mobile Arena on March 8.
During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Hill broke down the latest title fight in his division. Of note was his belief that Ankalaev’s striking threat is being wrongly counted out.
“Magomed’s striking is seriously being slept on here,” Hill said. “I don’t believe that Pereira sits back and wants to fight out of the pocket. He wants to put the pressure on him and land good, hard shots on the outside. The problem with that is, Magomed is a counter striker.
“If you look at his last few fights, he counters. He waits for you to throw, to overexert yourself, and even off of feints, if you feint and it puts your feet in the wrong spot, he’s countering you. He counters with combinations. They’re fast, and he mixes up his punches. So, he has a variety of strikes available at his disposal.”
That, coupled with the Dagestani’s well-known grappling ability, has left Hill leaning on the challenger’s side with his prediction.
“I know I’m going to get hate for this,” Hill stated. “But I get hate anyway, f*ck y’all. I’m probably going to go with Magomed. I’ve just got a feeling. … I feel he has more tools to win. Alex has that one-hit wonder…but I believe Magomed also has that.
“He’s been in this position for. He let the title slip away, slip out of his hands once before. I believe he’ll be a lot more focused, locked in for this,” Hill continued. “Ultimately, he just has more ways to win.”
After a loss to Jiří Procházka at UFC 311 this past January, “Sweet Dreams” is now tasked with dispatching of Khalil Rountree Jr. if he’s to avoid a three-fight losing skid.
The 32-year-old Dagestani fighter, a committed Muslim, received widespread praise when his fight was announced in January. The bout was set during Ramadan, a month of deep spiritual commitment in which Muslims refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours for 30 days.
Ankalaev shared that he has strictly followed Ramadan fasting since its start on Feb. 28. In the UFC 313 Countdown episode, he even suggested that the challenge of abstaining from food has, in fact, made him feel even stronger.
However, during a recent interview with Ag. Fight, Ankalaev admitted that with fight night fast approaching and a grueling weight cut ahead, he has eased up on his Ramadan fasting to maintain optimal performance.
“I have been following the fast strictly except for this week, where I will have to break it a few times because I need to make sure I drink water to have a successful weight cut,” Ankalaev said. “But apart from that, I started with Ramadan. I have been fasting. And after the fight, I will obviously also follow the rules of religion as it has to be.”
Interestingly, Ankalaev’s remarks came just a day after “Poatan” accused him of leveraging his Ramadan fast for attention — suggesting that his opponent might be laying the groundwork for an excuse if he comes up short this weekend.
Ankalaev heads into UFC 313 riding the momentum of a dominant unanimous decision victory over Aleksandar Rakić at UFC 308 last October, pushing his unbeaten streak to 13 fights. This will be his second crack at UFC gold, having fought Jan Blachowicz to a draw in his first title bid at UFC 282 in December 2022.
In Dan Hardy’s eyes, the only intriguing opponent for Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall sits outside of the promotion.
Aspinall continues to await news of his next assignment. Despite the division boasting two titleholders for the past 16 months, it remains unclear whether the British powerhouse and Jon Jones will meet in a unification fight.
Following Jones’ successful defense against Stipe Miocic last November, Dana White gave his backing for “Bones” to face Aspinall next. Negotiations for that coming to fruition are seemingly underway.
And according to Hardy, the UFC higher-ups better make Jones an offer he can’t refuse lest they be left with zero “legit” matchups for Aspinall.
Though many might disagree and point to a heavyweight clash with current 205-pound kingpin Alex Pereira, “The Outlaw” believes only PFL star Francis Ngannou would be adequate opposition for the Manchester native.
“Of course, Pereira could touch anybody on the chin on the planet and knock them out. But if you’re looking for a real, legit heavyweight contender for Tom, maybe I’m a broken record, but it has to be Ngannou,” Hardy said during a recent appearance on Submission Radio. “There isn’t anybody else, really. I don’t see any other fight that truly excites me. I can point at that and say, ‘That’s the heavyweight king.’ And I don’t even think I could say that if it was Jones versus Aspinall at this point, because I don’t feel like Jones is — I mean, he’s potentially number three in the heavyweight division right now, behind Ngannou and Aspinall.
“You have to admit, though, someone else in Tom Aspinall’s position might just say, ‘Hey, give me Pereira. Let’s just fight now,’ because that would bring so much money,” Hardy continued. “But he wants the tougher fight in Jon Jones, and if Francis Ngannou were around, he’d want the tougher fight in Francis Ngannou. So it’s one of those things where we should reward the guys that deserve to be rewarded.”
