And New….. Magomed Ankalaev
The Final Combating Championship returned to us tonight, March 8, 2025, for UFC 313, happening stay from the T-Cellular Enviornment in Paradise, Nevada.
Headlining the occasion was a light-heavyweight title bout between champion Alex Pereira (12-3) and no. 1 ranked former title challenger Magomed Ankalaev (21-1-1).
Pereira, following his declare of the UFC middleweight championship in 2022 along with his victory over Israel Adesanya (TKO), would lose it of their rapid rematch (KO) six months later.
Since then nonetheless he’d moved as much as 205 lbs, defeated former champion Jan Blachowicz (SD) in his divisional debut main into his first light-heavyweight title struggle opposing one other former champion in Jiri Prochazka. After profitable that struggle (TKO) Pereira had since defended his title three-straight instances, first towards former champion Jamahal Hill (KO), one other win over Prochazka (KO) of their rematch, after which Khalil Rountree Jr (TKO) this previous October.
Ankalaev then again, to many, has been the uncrowned light-heavyweight champion for a while now.
Going into his first title struggle towards Jan Blachowicz at UFC 282 Ankalaev was driving a nine-fight win streak. Following a attract that struggle he would then foul Johnny Walker in his subsequent look, the struggle leading to a no contest for an unlawful knee. Since then Ankalaev has fought and gained twice, defeating Johnny Walker (KO) of their rematch, earlier than defeating high 5 ranked Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308.
Proceed studying to see how this light-heavyweight championship bout went down:
Official Outcome: Magomed Ankalaev def. Alex Pereira by way of unanimous determination (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)
Pereira annoyed Ankalaev all through the opening spherical along with his leg kicks, touchdown a complete of 15 of them by way of the primary 5 minutes, the final certainly one of which buckled Ankalaev’s legs and compelled an unsuccessful takedown try out of him. Ankalaev returned with a couple of leg kicks of his personal, touchdown six, although missed on almost each punch try.
Ankalaev had a significantly better second spherical, tagging the champion with ease from his leg kicks, spherical kicks and snap kicks to the physique, and he additionally discovered the vary along with his arms, touchdown numerous good mixtures by way of spherical two, even hurting Pereira badly within the closing seconds with a nasty left hand.
Pereira had a very good rebound within the third, although it was the toughest to attain out of the primary three; Ankalaev pressed the motion and walked Pereira down all through it, although Pereira picked him aside, touchdown many leg kicks and in addition some good punch counters.
Ankalaev tried onerous for a takedown to start the fourth spherical, urgent Pereira into the fence looking for it for the opening three minutes. As soon as the referee separated them he shot in for one more, accumulating a number of management time. Pereira secured a gorgeous foot sweep proper because the buzzer sounded, but it surely was far too late within the spherical for him to do something with it.
There wasn’t a lot exercise early on within the fifth and closing spherical, although Pereira was strolling Ankalaev down, refusing to surrender any area. He landed an amazing leg kick and instantly adopted it up with a head kick that again Ankalaev up.
Pereira continued to make use of his vary, touchdown a pair stiff jabs earlier than Ankalaev tied up with him alongside the fence for the ultimate 90 seconds.
Pereira did an amazing job of stuffing each single takedown try thrown his manner; each earlier UFC opponent that attempted to take him down succeeded, and Ankalaev is by far one of the best wrestler he’s ever fought. However at that very same time Ankalaev made Pereira struggle way more timid that we’re used to seeing out of him.
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