Big Important Occasion Set For UFC 313
2024 proved to be an distinctive yr for Alex Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC). “Poatan” ran Ilia Topuria shut for all the “fighter of the yr” accolades as his superb run contained in the Octagon moved to the following degree.
The previous UFC middleweight champion had simply captured the sunshine heavyweight title by knocking out Jiri Prochazka in late 2023 and defended the 205 lb strap 3 times by means of 2024, with all three victories coming by the use of KO.
A primary-round end over former champion Jamahal Hill in the primary occasion at UFC 300 was adopted by a spectacular head kick KO over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 in June.
At that time, many followers anticipated the previous Glory kickboxing champion to face the division’s No 1.-ranked contender, Magomed Ankalaev, subsequent.
Surprisingly, the UFC as a substitute booked Pereira to struggle Khalil Rountree Jr. in the primary occasion at UFC 307 in October, and he duly obliged by delivering his third end of 2024 after an thrilling four-round battle.
Alex Pereira To Face Magomed Ankalaev Subsequent at UFC 313
Pereira attended UFC 311 on the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, with loads of hypothesis within the air as as to if the winner of the primary card conflict between Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill may earn one other crack on the Brazilian’s title.
In a flip of occasions, nevertheless, UFC play-by-play commentator Jon Anik revealed stay on-air earlier than Prochazka and Hill walked to the Octagon, that Pereira will face Magomed Ankalaev (20-1-1 MMA, 11-1-1 UFC) in the primary occasion at UFC 313 on March eighth.
Coming into UFC 313 in March, Ankalaev has been driving a powerful 13-fight unbeaten streak since being submitted by Scotland’s Paul Craig again in 2018 and picked up two spectacular wins in 2024, knocking out Johnny Walker within the first primary occasion of the yr final January earlier than beating Aleksandar Rakic by unanimous choice at UFC 308 in October.
Dana White “Began To Zone Out” Watching Ankalaev Efficiency
Ankalaev beforehand fought for the (then-vacant) mild heavyweight title when he confronted Jan Blachowicz at UFC 282 late in 2022. The struggle turned out be a slightly uninteresting affair which led to a break up draw, a outcome Ankalaev appeared to disagree with.
“I used to be shocked, to be trustworthy,” he mentioned throughout a backstage interview afterwards. “I believe I did lots, and I did sufficient to be champion. However, that is the best way the judges determined to swing it. I don’t know, perhaps we must always examine our judges as a result of I don’t know what we’re , however clearly I received this struggle”.
Dana White didn’t see Ankalaev’s facet, nevertheless. “I don’t even know [who was winning], I began to zone out after like f—ing three rounds,” remarked the UFC president.
“I heard that Ankalaev is upset, and no matter. What would you like me to do? You recognize? You bought beat up the primary two rounds, then you definitely take him to the bottom and also you began … what are you gonna do?”
Following his spectacular type by means of 2024 nevertheless, Ankalaev is now set to get one other shot on the title when he faces Pereira at T-Cell Area throughout UFC 313 on March eighth.
Large Co-Important Occasion Booked For UFC 313
Additionally at UFC 313, former light-weight interim champion Justin Gaethje will face surging contender Dan Hooker in a five-round co-main occasion.
Gaethje (25-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) received the interim title when he beat Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 again in 2020, earlier than being submitted by Khabib Nurmagomedov as he tried to unify the belts at UFC 254 later that yr.
COMING TO YOU SOON IN LAS VEGAS AT #UFC313 🤩@AlexPereiraUFC vs @AnkalaevM @Justin_Gaethje vs @DanTheHangman pic.twitter.com/ACcoysetEx
— UFC (@ufc) January 19, 2025
“The Spotlight” fought for the light-weight belt once more in 2022 when he was submitted by Charles Oliveira at UFC 274, and was final seen in motion when he was knocked out within the dying seconds of his BMF title bout in opposition to Max Holloway at UFC 300 final yr.
Dan Hooker (24-12 MMA, 14-8 UFC) has been having fun with considerably of a renaissance in his profession of late. “The Hangman” moved again as much as 155 lbs following an ill-fated stint competing within the featherweight division and has rattled off three consecutive wins since his return.
Victories over Claudio Puelles and Jalin Turner earned him a struggle in opposition to Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305 final August and his win there (which earned him a Battle of the Evening bonus) sees him sitting sixth within the UFC light-weight rankings, three locations under Gaethje forward of UFC 313 in March.
