The UFC 313 fight card underwent changes all the way up to fight night, but Saturday’s pay-per-view at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas still delivered a night full of excitement, dramatic finishes, and memorable performances.
Main Event:
Magomed Ankalaev Defeats Alex Pereira by Unanimous Decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)
Magomed Ankalaev emerged as the new UFC light heavyweight champion after defeating Alex Pereira in a tactical and calculated five-round battle.
Pereira started strong, attacking Ankalaev’s lead leg with heavy low kicks while both fighters carefully gauged their striking range. Ankalaev found his rhythm in the second round, landing crisp punches and wobbling Pereira near the end of the frame.
The third round remained competitive, with Pereira staying committed to low kicks while Ankalaev focused on clean, precise boxing. As the fight entered the championship rounds, Ankalaev shifted his approach by clinching and controlling Pereira along the fence, slowing the pace and exploiting Pereira’s growing fatigue.
In the final round, Pereira rallied with a head kick that briefly stunned Ankalaev, but the Russian challenger weathered the storm and maintained his composure to close out the fight strong.
When the judges’ scorecards were read, Ankalaev was crowned the new champion, extending his unbeaten streak to 14 fights. Given the close nature of the contest, a rematch later in the year wouldn’t be surprising.
Co-Main Event:
Justin Gaethje Defeats Rafael Fiziev by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
In a rematch of their memorable UFC 286 clash, Justin Gaethje once again prevailed over Rafael Fiziev in a back-and-forth war.
Fiziev surprised Gaethje early by mixing in takedowns along with sharp striking exchanges, controlling much of the first round. However, Gaethje responded with heavy shots in close quarters during the second round, dropping Fiziev with a powerful uppercut.
In the third round, Fiziev started strong but faded late, while Gaethje maintained steady pressure, landing consistent power shots to take control. Gaethje’s durability and relentless pressure proved key as he secured another hard-fought victory, reinforcing his status as a top contender in the lightweight division.
Other Main Card Highlights
• Mauricio Ruffy delivered a sensational first-round spinning wheel kick knockout to steal the show early and place himself firmly in the Knockout of the Year conversation.
• Amanda Lemos earned a gritty decision victory over fellow Brazilian Iasmin Lucindo, wrestling her way to a crucial win.
• Ignacio Bahamondes kept his win streak alive by submitting Jalin Turner in the third fight of the main card, continuing his impressive finishing streak.
Despite last-minute adjustments to the card, UFC 313 provided an unforgettable night of fights. Ankalaev’s disciplined performance earned him gold, Gaethje proved his resilience once again, and Mauricio Ruffy’s electrifying finish highlighted an action-packed evening. The year’s early Fight of the Night and Knockout of the Year contenders are already shaping up, making UFC 313 a standout event as 2025’s fight calendar unfolds.
