Alex Pereira places his light-heavyweight title on the line tonight, combating Magomed Ankalaev in the principle occasion of UFC 313.
Pereira, a former kickboxing champion, has been a phenom since joining the UFC in 2021. He gained middleweight gold in 2022 earlier than transferring as much as light-heavyweight and including a second belt in 2023. Then, final 12 months, he recorded three profitable title defences with TKOs of Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr.
The Brazilian’s challenger in Las Vegas tonight is Ankalaev, a Russian who shares the wrestling talents of lots of his fellow Dagestanis – however with stable hanging abilities as well. Nonetheless, many followers really feel the UFC would slightly have a star like Pereira, 37, as champion, not Ankalaev, and the latter has confronted a tricky path to this title struggle.
Ankalaev, 32, really challenged for the vacant belt in late 2022 but fought Jan Blachowicz to a draw, and greater than two years later, he lastly will get one other shot at gold.
Additionally tonight, Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev conflict in a rematch two years within the making, because the latter replaces the injured Dan Hooker. Gaethje vs Hooker was a dream fight for many fans, however they will nonetheless count on chaos as Fiziev bids to avenge a narrow loss to Gaethje. Observe the UFC 313 primary card and prelims stay, under.
UFC 313 LIVE: Jalin Turner vs Ignacio Bahamondes
These two get at it straight away! Turner is normally taller than his opponents, however Bahamondes is the same top.
Bahamondes with a sloppy entry, a semi-takedown accidentally, and Turner lands in half-guard. Now closed guard.
Each males land elbows – Turner from above, Bahamondes from under! Bahaomndes now throws up a triangle choke…
And Turner faucets! Oh, it’s over, identical to that!
Ignacio Bahamondes def. Jalin Turner by way of first-round submission (triangle choke, 2:29)
Bahamondes says in his post-fight interview that he “knew” he would submit Turner in spherical one.
Alex Pattle9 March 2025 04:25
UFC 313 LIVE: Jalin Turner vs Ignacio Bahamondes
As much as light-weight, the place Jalin Turner faces Ignacio Bahamondes.
Bahamondes, one in every of simply two Chilean fighters in UFC historical past, is in search of a 3rd straight win.
The 27-year-old takes on a seven-year UFC veteran in Turner, who is definitely nonetheless simply 29.
The American is 1-3 in his final 4 bouts, though the primary two of these losses have been break up choices. Final day out, he was stopped by Renato Moicano.
UFC 313 LIVE: Amanda Lemos vs Iasmin Lucindo
Closing spherical. Lucindo’s nook reallllly tries to fireplace her up earlier than it begins.
Below method, and Lucindo lands some knees within the clinch earlier than securing a visit. She’s straight into half-guard. It appears she needs an arm-triangle choke ultimately, however Lemos frames effectively to defend.
Lucindo passes into aspect management, nonetheless. Lemos has her toes within the fence, with each ft, however receives no warning from referee Keith Peterson.
She’s managing to restrict Lucindo’s submission menace, because the clock runs down. Nice work from Lemos to twist, escape and stand! Then she instantly takes down Lucindo!
We’ll go to the scorecards… and the judges get it proper!
Amanda Lemos def. Iasmin Lucindo by way of unanimous choice (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Alex Pattle9 March 2025 04:06
UFC 313 LIVE: Amanda Lemos vs Iasmin Lucindo
Lucindo holds Lemos in opposition to the fence within the early grappling exchanges, earlier than Lemos lands a takedown!
Lemos results in Lucindo’s guard. Lemos seems hesitant to work, whereas Lucindo tries to create house for submissions from her again.
Some boos from the gang after a comparatively uneventful stretch of the spherical.
Slashing elbow from Lemos! That appears to have lower Lucindo underneath her proper eye.
Between rounds, Lucindo’s nook requires extra motion, after she landed zero vital strikes in spherical one.
She tries a spinning kick, as they advised, however misses and eats a jab. Harsh low kick by Lemos now, too.
Lucindo will get again to her grappling, controlling Lemos in opposition to the fence, till the older Brazilian reverses the place. Extra boos.
One other elbow from Lemos, from a standing place this time. She journeys Lucindo and eyes a guillotine choke… No luck, and she or he’s again in guard.
UFC 313 LIVE: Amanda Lemos vs Iasmin Lucindo
An all-Brazilian affair now, as Amanda Lemos and Iasmin Lucindo meet within the ladies’s strawweight division.
Lucindo, 23, is the youngest feminine fighter on the UFC roster, and she or he’s using a four-fight win streak.
In the meantime, 37-year-old Lemos is a former title challenger, aiming to get again to successful methods.
Might this be a passing of the torch, although?
Alex Pattle9 March 2025 03:41
UFC 313 LIVE: Robbie Lawler enters Corridor of Fame
Robbie Lawler is introduced as coming into this 12 months’s UFC Corridor of Fame!
The previous welterweight champion, sat within the crowd, is emotional as he watches a video package deal about his profession.
Congratulations to probably the most violent fighters in UFC historical past – a person who’s already within the Corridor of Fame for his storied warfare with Rory MacDonald.

UFC 313 LIVE: King Inexperienced vs Mauricio Ruffy
Ruffy’s stance and actions resemble these of Conor McGregor – earlier than the Irishman ventured into boxing and altered his model considerably.
Anyhow, Ruffy stands orthodox, in contrast to McGregor. Inexperienced likes to modify stances.
Ruffy presses ahead early, seemingly making an attempt to elicit some strikes out of Inexperienced, who seems surprisingly hesitant.
Oh! A clear cross has Inexperienced falling again in opposition to the fence! Ruffy will not be dashing, although…
OH, MY, WORD!!!! Ruffy waits, wait, waits… then lands a wheel kick, cracking the aspect of Inexperienced’s head and knocking him out chilly!
Inexperienced faceplants. Some moments later, he’s awake, however his face is bloodied. Ruffy celebrates with some flips! KO of the 12 months contender.
Mauricio Ruffy def. King Inexperienced by way of first-round KO (wheel kick, 2:07)



UFC 313 LIVE: King Inexperienced vs Mauricio Ruffy
Okay then, we kick off the principle card with King Inexperienced vs Mauricio Ruffy at light-weight.
American Inexperienced (who was Bobby till he modified his title to King final 12 months) is a veteran, a pointy boxer – however he faces a tricky problem right here.
Ruffy is a part of The Combating Nerds, a Brazilian fitness center that has been on fireplace during the last 12 months. The 28-year-old is in search of a seventh straight win.
In the meantime, 38-year-old Inexperienced – in his 51st professional struggle – is aiming to bounce again from a submission loss to Paddy Pimblett.
Alex Pattle9 March 2025 03:19
UFC 313 LIVE: Important card begins!
The principle card is lastly upon us! Right here’s the way it seems, working backwards from the principle occasion:
Alex Pereira (C) vs Magomed Ankalaev (light-heavyweight title)
Justin Gaethje vs Rafael Fiziev 2 (light-weight)
Jalin Turner vs Ignacio Bahamondes (light-weight)
Amanda Lemos vs Iasmin Lucindo (ladies’s strawweight)
King Inexperienced vs Mauricio Ruffy (light-weight)
UFC 313 LIVE: Joshua Van vs Rei Tsuruya
Excessive kick simply misses for Van. He slips free as Tsuruya tries a single-leg.
Van has defended 17 of 20 takedowns! Wow. Now he digs a proper hand to the physique. Good knee by Tsuruya.
Van kicks low and we’ll have a pause for a groin strike. Tsuruya takes one minute, and we’re again underneath method.
Van defends a driving takedown whereas throwing clubbing punches to the physique of Tsuruya! He’s being held in opposition to the fence, however he’s crouching – he’s not down.
Van will get free. Two minutes left. Good head motion by Van to keep away from some straights and jabs. Entrance kick to the physique of Tsuruya.
Oh! One other low blow by Van? Tsuruya seeks a timeout, however a replay exhibits the kick primarily hit the physique, and we’re again underneath method! Nice hanging from Van to finish the spherical.
Joshua Van def. Rei Tsuruya by way of unanimous choice (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
The best choice. Tsuruya may’ve taken the second spherical, maybe, however Van was all the time successful that.

Alex Pattle9 March 2025 02:59
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