UFC fan favorite Jiri Prochazka has slammed Magomed Ankalev when discussing why he decided to turn down a UFC light heavyweight championship opportunity.
Recently, it was reported that Jiri Prochazka turned down the chance to challenge Magomed Ankalaev for the aforementioned 205-pound belt. He did so in order to focus on his studies, earning a great deal of praise from the mixed martial arts community. Of course, at some point in the future, this is exactly the kind of fight that fans would want to see, especially given how much quality both men possess in the cage.
As we look ahead to the rest of the year, it’s hard to say what’s next for Ankalaev as talks continue to circulate regarding a possible rematch against Alex Pereira. As for Jiri Prochazka, once he’s done with his studies, he’ll be free to return as he bids to win back the belt that he gave up due to injury.
In a recent interview, Jiri Prochazka wasn’t shy when giving his thoughts on the champion.
Jiri Prochazka explains why he turned down a fight against ābig mouthā Magomed Ankalaev:
āWhat is right now the most important, the priority, is schoolā¦
Heās a big mouth guy… this is not how the champ have to speak.ā
āWhat is right now, what is most important – the priority is school. So, whatever can happen, fights or whatever, this is on my first place, to win the title fight. But right now, this is, itās open. Iām already preparing for that, so thatās why. Heās a big mouth. Heās a big mouth guy.ā
Regardless of whether or not you love Prochazka and what he brings to the table, there’s no denying that this would be an incredible title fight.
One day removed from UFC 315, in spite of promises made in the days leading up to the event, there is still no announced main event for UFC 317 on June 28 in Las Vegas — as part of the UFC’s annual International Fight Week.
The expectation had been (and still is) that Ilia Topuria would be involved in the main event for a lightweight title fight — either against Islam Makhachev or Charles Oliveira.
But on X (formerly Twitter) on May 11, one champion spoke up about supposedly receiving an opportunity to headline the card — UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev.
Ankalaev’s next fight is expected to be a rematch with former champion Alex Pereira, and Ankalaev claims that such a rematch was offered to him for one of the UFC’s biggest annual events. Ankalaev defeated Pereira to win the UFC’s 205-pound title at UFC 313 in March.
Ankalaev says he is still up for competing at the event — even if he suggests Pereira might not be.
I was offered to Fight Alex international fight week if the man donāt want it letās move on Iām ready for everyone. I dare you.
— Muhammad big ANK Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) May 11, 2025
Magomed Ankalaev Suggests He’s Ready, Was Offered To Fight At UFC 317
This comes just a couple of days after Pereira’s own account had a post that claimed he was being mistreated by the promotion — only for Pereira to make another post hours later claiming his account was hacked.
Dana White, UFC’s CEO, seemed to confirm earlier this week that the plan for UFC 317’s headline bout would have been Topuria vs. Makachev (with a win for Belal Muhammad at UFC 315) or Topuria vs. Oliveira (with a win by Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315).
JDM won the welterweight title this weekend, with people subsequently assuming that the result would be Makhachev moving up to welterweight and Topuria and Oliveira fighting for a vacant title next month.
But White did not show up to the UFC 315 post-fight press conference, and UFC executive David Shaw claims the main event should be announced within the coming days.
What might not be helping this would-have-been-simple layout — Makhachev insisting he’s moving up to challenge JDM and be a double champion, not desiring to vacate the lightweight title.
Khalil Rountree doesn’t believe newly crowned UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Magomed Ankalaev came up against the same beast that he did inside the Octagon.
During a recent interview with MMA Today, though, Rountree somewhat put the result down to an off night for Pereira, whom “The War Horse” suggested was way off the level of performance he displayed to retain the belt in Salt Lake City five months prior.
“It was hard for me to watch that fight and score it,” Rountree said. “The Alex that walked out that night was a different Alex than the one that fought me. My experience was watching that fight in frustration.
“I was kind of confused because I was expecting the same guy that came and fought me to go there and do the same thing. I wanted to see what that experience was like from the outside,” Rountree added.
During an appearance on Wednesday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Pereira had his chance to respond to that claim. Suffice it to say, he rejected any suggestion that he sought an illegal advantage on fight night.
“I absolutely didn’t put anything on my body. For me, that’s him trying to make an excuse to justify the fact that he trained a guy to take me down, but the guy got stuffed for 12 of his takedown attempts,” Alex Pereira said. “You didn’t do what you’re supposed to do, and now you’re trying to make excuses to justify that.”
Pereira will hope to showcase similar strength in the takedown defense department should his expected rematch with Ankalaev come to fruition later this year. Second time around, though, he’ll look to pair his usual striking dominance with it.
It would seem the ball is firmly already rolling when it comes to a second dance between newly crowned UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira.
Ankalaev made good on his promise to bring Pereira’s reign to an end at this month’s UFC 313 pay-per-view, which the pair headlined inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.
While “Poatan’s” takedown defense held firm, he was unable to establish his usual dominance in the striking realm and fell to a unanimous decision defeat on the scorecards.
Evidently, it hasn’t taken long for the promotion to begin organizing that.
While responding on X to suggestions Pereira fought compromised in the March 8 main event, Magomed Ankalaev claimed to have been offered his first defense against Pereira for this coming August.
Joe Rogan mentioned his team said that Alex fought with a broken hand and Norovirus, when fighters step in the cage nobody is 100%.
I was offered a rematch with him in August and I said yes, but if he is not ready I will fight whoever is next it doesnāt matter.
“Joe Rogan mentioned his team said that Alex fought with a broken hand and Norovirus, when fighters step in the cage nobody is 100%. I was offered a rematch with him in August and I said yes, but if he is not ready I will fight whoever is next it doesnāt matter.”
That timeline might come as a surprise to many, given the expectation that Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira would renew hostilities for the UFC’s annual October PPV event in Abu Dhabi.
Tom Aspinall is perplexed by the scoring decisions in the MMA community that favored Alex Pereira in the UFC 313 main event.
Earlier this month, Magomed Ankalaev defeated Pereira by unanimous decision to become light heavyweight champion at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The scoring of the UFC 313 main event was highly contested, with media members and fans divided. On MMA Decisions. nine members scored the bout for Pereira, which Aspinall finds incomprehensible.
And the interim heavyweight champ was similarly baffled by those who branded the March 8 main event “boring.”
āI think Ankalaev just had him guessing a lot,ā Aspinall said in an interview with JNMediaUK. āI think Pereiraās level on the ground, I donāt know what level heās at, but I think heās still a bit wary of getting taken down. He definitely defended the takedowns well, but me with an educated eye watching it, I donāt think Ankalaev was really trying to take him down that much. He definitely tried a couple of times. I think he did 10 or 11 takedown attempts, but I would say only two or three of them he went full blast.
āI think the rest of the time, he was trying to tire him out with the grappling standing, like the cage grappling stuff. I think Ankalaev had the perfect game plan. He didnāt overcommit, tired him out. I canāt believe people watched that fight and thought that Pereira won. It was just wild to me how many uneducated fans are out there and how many uneducated fans thought it was a boring fight, as well. I thought it was an amazing fight, both guys did good, and I think Ankalaev was just a lot better than him on the night. Thatās it.ā
Despite Alex Pereira’s recent loss, which potentially benefits Tom Aspinall as he awaits his title unification fight with Jon Jones, Aspinall believes Pereira could still transition to the heavyweight division in the future.
āHe can do whatever he wants, canāt he? Heās an absolute megastar,ā Aspinall said. āI think thereās fights to be made at middleweight, light heavy or heavy for him. He can do whatever he wants.ā
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 isnāt wrong, thatās what Iād say was the case.
“The sweat didnāt flow off his body, it gelled up. Thatās 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. “Letās not forget thatĀ Glover TeixeiraĀ 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.
Magomed Ankalaev is the man of the hour in his home region of Dagestan right now.
Ankalaev put an end to Alex Pereiraās dominant reign as the light heavyweight champion, securing a unanimous decision victory in the headlining bout of UFC 313 last weekend.
With his victory over “Poatan,” Ankalaev has solidified his place as a national hero, being bestowed with Dagestanās highest medal of honor by the Head of the Republic, Sergey Alimovich Melikov.
Magomed @AnkalaevM has received Dagestan's medal of honor from the head of the republic, Sergey Melikov. The UFC light heavyweight champion described the medal in an Instagram post as "Dagestan's highest reward".
Magomed Ankalaev recently took to Instagram to share his thoughts on this prestigious honor and revealed that receiving the recognition was an unexpected yet deeply rewarding surprise.
“At the invitation of the Head of the Republic of Dagestan, my coaches and I visited the government, where a pleasant surprise awaited me – Sergey Alimovich Melikov presented me with the highest award of the republic. During the meeting, we heard many kind words and important instructions, which inspired us to work even harder and represent the country with dignity on the international stage. Thank you, Sergey Alimovich, for your support and attention to athletes!” Anakalev posted on Instagram.
The Dagestani had his first shot at the light heavyweight title against former champion Jan BÅachowicz at UFC 282 in December 2022, but after five rounds of back-and-forth action, the fight ended in a draw.
Magomed Ankalaev, the newly crowned UFC light heavyweight champion, is seemingly on the hunt for a war of words with Jon “Bones” Jones, following his victory at UFC 313.Ā
Ankalaev’s win, which secured him the title previously held by Jones, has derailed potential plans for Alex Pereira to challenge Jones for the heavyweight championship. Had Pereira retained his 205-pound belt, calls for a super-fight between the two would have been inevitable.
However, Ankalaev’s victory has cleared a significant hurdle for a Jones unification fight, a point the Russian has been keen to emphasize on social media.
This online feud began when Jones posted a graphic highlighting his record-breaking number of UFC title defenses, stating, “Small flex.” Ankalaev responded sharply, accusing Jones of cheating, stating, “Yes, but all this CHAMPIONs clean his big cheater we all know this.”
Ankalaev has continued to taunt Jones, specifically accusing him of avoiding a fight with interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. This online roasting follows Dana White’s recent statement that Jones will return “this summer” for a unified heavyweight title fight against Aspinall, though the promotion has yet to formally announce the bout.
āJohnny steroid machine was very disappointed. I beat Alex please fight big Tom Aspinall stop running,ā he wrote.
Jonny steroid machine was very disappointed. I beat Alex please fight big Tom @AspinallMMA stop running
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 Pereiraās typically high-energy title bouts, Ankalaevās unanimous decision victory ā which earned him the UFC light heavyweight championship ā was notably subdued, drawing widespread criticism from fans and fighters alike.
At the post-fight press conference, Ankalaev defended his strategy, arguing that Pereiraās unwillingness to engage led to the fightās 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 wonāt go the distance.
“Iām ready for round 6, but this time it will not go the full distance. Letās 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 BÅachowicz plans to alter the expected direction of his division’s title picture ā 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, BÅachowicz 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),” BÅachowicz 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 BÅachowicz 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.
Israel Adesanya shared his live reaction to Magomed Ankalaevās decision victory over Alex Pereira this past weekend at UFC 313, expressing surprise at the judgesā scorecards and questioning the fightās outcome.
āI had Alex winningā¦ but I have to watch it again and score the fight properly,ā Adesanya said during his YouTube reaction video. Like many fans, he appeared puzzled by the 49-46 score in favor of Ankalaev, especially given Pereiraās striking success.
Adesanya acknowledged Ankalaevās clinch work but wasnāt convinced it was enough to secure the win. āHe dropped him, yeahā¦ but the holding? He didnāt really do much with the holding.ā Pereiraās aggressive striking seemed to impress Adesanya more, but he admitted the fight was competitive.
Despite the controversial outcome, Adesanya believes a rematch is likely.
āI think heāll get a rematchā¦ spin the block, we out.ā
Given Pereiraās standing in the division and UFCās history of booking rematches for close fights, Adesanyaās prediction holds weight.
In classic āStylebenderā fashion, Adesanya ended with a reflective take on the unpredictability of MMA:
āWhat a stupid game we playāI f***ing love it.ā
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.
A unanimous decision verdict saw the title change hands after a reign that spanned three successful defenses for Pereira. The Brazilian is now looking ahead to the adjustments he’ll need to make for a likely rematch this year.
Magomed Ankalaev, meanwhile, continues to celebrate his championship triumph, which came at the second time of trying just over two years on from a draw with Jan Blachowicz.
The new kingpin was most recently seen returning to his homeland. A video posted by Ushatayka showed Ankalaev with the light heavyweight gold in tow as he landed back in Dagestan, where he was greeted by a hero’s welcome from the masses.
š·šŗ Magomed Ankalaev received a heroās welcome upon returning to Dagestan after winning the UFC lightheavyweight title š
The Dagestani stepped into the fight with a calculated game plan, but despite his high-level wrestling credentials, he failed to take Pereira down. Instead, he maintained steady aggression and strategically timed his strikes, ultimately convincing the judges to rule in his favor.
Recently, a sharp-eyed MMA fan on X compiled snippets from the UFCās Instagram, showcasing every champion having their belt wrapped around their waist after the first three pay-per-views of the year. To many fans’ surprise, Magomed Ankalaev topped the list with a staggering 26.8 million views.
Trailing behind him was reigning lightweight champ Islam Makhachev, who racked up 19.1 million views, followed by bantamweight king Merab Dvalishvili with 17 million. Middleweight titleholder Dricus Du Plessis secured 11.8 million, while strawweight queen Zhang Weili rounded out the list with 4.3 million views.
At the time of writing, the video capturing Ankalaevās crowning moment has amassed over 46.2 million views and garnered an impressive 1.4 million likes.
Ankalaev previously vied for the 205-pound title at UFC 282 in December 2022, facing Jan BÅachowicz. After an intense back-and-forth battle, the contest ended in a draw.
With his win at UFC 313, the 32-year-old Russian extended his unbeaten streak to 14 fights. Remarkably, the only blemish on his professional record dates back to March 2018, when he fell to Paul Craig via submission in the final seconds of their bout.
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 ā 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 ā 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 ā the third-longest active run in the UFC. Along the way, he has claimed wins over top contenders like Aleksandar RakiÄ, Thiago Santos, and Anthony Smith.
Israel Adesanya, a close observer of UFC 313 due to his storied rivalry-turned-friendship with Alex Pereira, strongly contested the judges’ scoring in “Poatan’s” defeat to Magomed Ankalaev.
Pereiraās unanimous decision loss to Ankalaev prompted Adesanya to share his reaction on his YouTube channel. His main point of contention was the 49-46 scorecard, which he dismissed as āstupid,ā while also expressing his continued passion for the sport.
Adesanyaās scoring differed significantly from the official verdict by the judges. He believed the fight was tied 1-1 after the first two rounds, then awarded rounds three and five to Pereira, giving him a 3-2 edge overall. This discrepancy underscored his disagreement with the judgesā decision.
āI had Alex winning, but Iām not sure,ā Adesanya said of the Brazilian’s defeat to Magomed Ankalaev. āIād have to watch it again and score the fight properly. Round two might have played a factor just because he dropped him, but then holding against the fence ā I donāt really remember him getting any takedowns.
āIt was a competitive fight, back-and-forth,ā Adesanya added. āTheyāre both going to level up, and Iām sure heās going to get a rematch. Spin the block.ā
If JiÅĆ ProchĆ”zka was anticipating a respectful interaction with new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Magomed Ankalaev, he was sorely mistaken.
ProchƔzka, a former titleholder himself, watched on this weekend as his ex-opponent Alex Pereira returned to the cage at UFC 313 in Las Vegas for his fourth defense of the 205-pound title.
After wins over Jamahal Hill, ProchĆ”zka, and Khalil Rountree Jr. in 2024 grew his stardom, “Poatan” was looking to emerge victorious from his toughest test in the division to date ā a clash with the well-rounded Ankalaev.
Amid a mix of praise for the triumph and criticism for the manner of victory, another of the division’s top names in ProchĆ”zka appeared on social media to give a congratulatory take on Ankalaev’s display.
Congrats to @AnkalaevM, beautiful pressure. Most of people dont like it, but you won the title for now.@AlexPereiraUFC, last dance ?
“Congrats to @AnkalaevM, beautiful pressure. Most of people dont like it, but you won the title for now,” ProchĆ”zka wrote on X, before turning his attention to Pereira. “@AlexPereiraUFC, last dance?”
While, to most, that reads as the Czech star even defending Magomed Ankalaev against the backlash his fight style continues to receive, the light heavyweight kingpin evidently doesn’t care for such praise from a rival…
I think you are a fraud and so many guys deserve it more than you you need to go win some fights
— Muhammad big ANK Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) March 9, 2025
“I think you are a fraud and so many guys deserve it more than you you need to go win some fights,” Magomed Ankalaev responded.
And after the ESPN MMA account reposted ProchĆ”zka’s post, Ankalaev was once again close by with a puzzling insult to the Czech fan favorite.
This guy is a terrible fighter
— Muhammad big ANK Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) March 9, 2025
“This guy is a terrible fighter”
It’s unclear exactly what “BJP” did to upset the newly crowned champ. He did predict defeat for the Russian if he attempted to strike with Pereira, so perhaps Magomed Ankalaev is one to hold a grudge over such remarks.
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 Pereiraās reluctance to engage was the primary reason for the fightās subdued nature. The judges scored the closely contested bout 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46 in Ankalaevās 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 Pereiraās hesitancy to engage was the reason for the fightās lack of action, and therefore, the criticism was unwarranted.
āIt was very different from what we envisioned because, as you know, usually Pereira hunts for the finish,ā Magomed Ankalaev said via a Russian translator. āHe 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 wasnāt letting me work, and he himself wasnāt really working much, so you saw the way it played out.
āI 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 wasnāt sure why the victory was given to me. Whoās supposed to be given the victory? Iāve been pressuring him the entire time, he was running for 20 minutes, and then heās wondering whoās supposed to get the victory? Listen, Iām 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.ā
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 donāt 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 JiÅĆ ProchĆ”zka at UFC 295. He defended the belt three times last year against Jamahal Hill, ProchĆ”zka, 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, NevadaĀ and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights!Ā
In the main event, Alex Pereira put his light heavyweight title on the lineĀ against Magomed Ankalaev. While in the co-main event, Justin Gaethje faced Rafael Fiziev in a lightweight matchup.Ā
UFC 313 Results: Main Card
Light Heavyweight Championship: Magomed Ankalaev def. Alex PereiraĀ 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
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, NevadaĀ 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, āPoatanā 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 Lucindoās 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 leaderās 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 theĀ UFC 313Ā 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)
Womenās 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 CastaƱeda (145lbs)
Middleweight: Djorden Santos (185.5lbs) vs. Ozzy Diaz (185.5lbs)
Weāre deep into UFC 313 fight week, meaning itās time for the fighters set to be in action on March 8 to take to the stage and answer some questions.
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 JiÅĆ ProchĆ”zka 16 months ago. To continue his reign, āPoatanā 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 Saturdayās 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, itās time for the teamās 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 ā 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: Iāve always been a big fan of Greenās 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 doesnāt get dragged into a dog fight, then itās 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 canāt 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 heās up against a relentless young menace with a knack for finishing fights. Ruffyās surge is undeniable, and underestimating him would be a mistake. Heās got the power, elite grappling, and a killer instinct to make this a nightmare for Green ā and I wouldnāt be surprised if he adds another stoppage to his record. (Prediction: Mauricio Ruffy)
Aakrit Sharma: Ruffyās last win against James Llontop was a good showcase of his striking. He has yet another durable opponent in Green, who wouldnāt mind a standup battle for three rounds. The lightweight veteran looked impressive against Jim Miller, but heās started to struggle against up-and-coming talent or explosive strikers such as Paddy Pimblett, Jalin Turner, and Drew Dober. At 38 years old, Iām not expecting him to get any better skill-wise, and at UFC 313, heās 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 donāt think Greenās 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)
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 sheāll take control and make this fight her own. (Prediction: Iasmin Lucindo)
Aakrit Sharma: This is another veteran vs. newcomer matchup in the UFC womenās strawweight division. To be fair, itās 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.
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 arenāt 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 thinkĀ itāsĀ Turnerās time to make a run.Ā HeāsĀ 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, āLa Jaulaā arguably possesses the sharper fight IQ ā itās just a matter of whether he can navigate the danger zones without getting tangled in āThe Tarantulaāsā 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, isnāt a Dan Hooker, Renato Moicano or a Mateusz Gamrot. His submission win over Rongzhu has aged like fine wine, but I donāt see the unranked prospect moving past āThe Tarantulaā just yet because grappling is not his forte, and Turner is tough as nails on the feet. Itās important to remember that Turner couldāve registered a very impressive KO win over Moicano at UFC 300, and his career trajectory wouldāve been completely different. I strongly believe heās just been unlucky with the matchups and, well, is also competing in the toughest division in the promotion.
Itās 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: Itās 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 2023ās best. Gaethjeās strategy will be more of the same ā 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 heās 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 Gaethjeās 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 donāt 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? Iām not sure it is, so for that reason Iām 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 otherās arsenals, and that level of exposure breeds a more refined yet relentless brand of controlled mayhem ā 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 itās āAtamanā 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, āThe Highlightā 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 ā while both a weapon and a liability ā give him the edge in this matchup. One thingās for sure: I donāt 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 āThe Highlightā on any day, but the veteran lightweight is as durable as they come, which helped him in the first fight, too. Gaethje, whoās 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, thatās 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 donāt remain the same after such crushing losses, but I still have faith in Gaethjeās 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, heāll 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 āAtamanā 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. Itās 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, weāve seen how all Pereira needs to do is land one hook to put someoneās 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 canāt 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”. Letās not forget ā 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 arenāt quite Khabib Nurmagomedov-esque. While Ankalaev will undoubtedly present challenges, weāve already seen the blueprint laid out by Jan BÅachowicz, who essentially handed every 205-pounder a game plan for neutralizing the Russian’s grappling ā by relentlessly attacking his legs with a series of kicks. Itās a strategy that works, and it’s one that Pereira can certainly employ to his advantage.
If thereās one thing we know for certain, itās 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 ā that Ankalaev is a challenge Pereira has never encountered ā 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 doesnāt work all the time, but the way Jan Blachowicz was able to trouble Ankalaev with his leg kicks, I can foresee Pereiraās gameplan heading into the UFC 313 main event. Ankalaevās plan, on the other hand, is a slight mystery as he didnāt show any willingness to grapple against a solid striker like Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308. He mightāve been proving a point about being good enough to stand and bang with the champ, but āPoatanā 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 champās UFC 307 defense against Khalil Rountree made us realize that he has a solid chin at light heavyweight. Heās also fighting after a relatively long break, so I expect him to be in a better state physically. Ankalaevās 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 JiÅĆ ProchĆ”zka submitting Glover Teixeira happen.
So, even with just brute strength and Teixeiraās 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 fightās 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
Thatāll 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 CastaƱeda
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!
