Alex Poatan faces Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313: see time, card, and where to watch live

This Saturday, March 8, Las Vegas will host one of the most anticipated MMA events of 2025. UFC 313 features Brazilian Alex Pereira, known as Poatan, defending his light heavyweight belt against Russian Magomed Ankalaev in the main event. Taking place at the T-Mobile Arena, the clash promises a battle of styles, with the champion relying on his sharp striking and the challenger bringing his wrestling expertise. The card also includes seven other Brazilian fighters, reinforcing the country’s strong presence. The live broadcast begins at 6:30 PM ET, and fans are eager to see if Poatan can secure his fourth consecutive title defense.

The matchup between Poatan and Ankalaev is steeped in anticipation. The Brazilian, who has reigned in the division since November 2023 after knocking out Jiri Prochazka, boasts an impressive winning streak. His latest fight, in October 2024 against Khalil Rountree Jr., showcased resilience and power, ending in a fourth-round knockout. Meanwhile, Ankalaev, unbeaten in his last 13 fights, is chasing his first title shot after a draw with Jan Blachowicz in 2022 for the vacant belt. The co-main event also draws attention, with Justin Gaethje taking on Rafael Fiziev in an electrifying lightweight rematch.

Esse repórter russo acaba de garantir a vitória do Poatan pic.twitter.com/2KCKpv72N2

— Gabriel Martins (@caradossports) March 7, 2025

The night promises to be historic for Brazilian MMA. Beyond Poatan, fighters like Amanda Lemos, Iasmin Lucindo, and Mauricio Ruffy feature in the main card, while Brunno Ferreira, Carlos Leal, Mairon Santos, and Djorden Santos bolster the prelims. With a total of 12 confirmed bouts, UFC 313 brings together established stars and rising talents, ensuring action from start to finish in the fight capital of the world.

Clash of titans at T-Mobile Arena

Alex Pereira steps into the octagon with a record of 12 wins and 2 losses, standing as one of the UFC’s most feared strikers. His journey in the promotion is marked by stunning knockouts, including those that secured the middleweight title in 2022 and the light heavyweight belt in 2023. At 37, Poatan has successfully defended his 205-pound title three times, facing foes like Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka in a rematch at UFC 300 and UFC 303, respectively. His last outing against Rountree tested his mettle, but the Brazilian turned the tide after a tough start. Now, he faces a different challenge, with Ankalaev’s ground game posing a threat Poatan has yet to fully encounter in the UFC.

Magomed Ankalaev arrives with a record of 20 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw. At 32, the Russian has been a dominant force since his UFC debut in 2018, where he suffered his lone defeat to Paul Craig. Since then, he’s built an unbeaten streak that includes wins over Anthony Smith, Thiago Santos, and Johnny Walker. His 2022 fight with Blachowicz ended in a draw, but recent victories over Walker and Aleksandar Rakic in 2024 earned him the top contender spot. A grappling specialist, Ankalaev has hinted at surprising with his striking, though his latest comments suggest wrestling will be his key weapon against the champion.

The fight pits contrasting styles against each other. Poatan trusts his precision and knockout power, while Ankalaev banks on his versatility to take the fight to the mat. Scheduled for five rounds, the main event kicks off at 10:00 PM ET and will be streamed exclusively on UFC Fight Pass. The prelims, starting at 6:30 PM ET, will air for free on UFC’s digital channels, including YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok, alongside the streaming platform.

Brazilians shine at UFC 313

Seven Brazilian fighters, in addition to Poatan, will compete at UFC 313, underscoring Brazil’s prominence in global MMA. On the main card, Amanda Lemos takes on Iasmin Lucindo in a strawweight clash that could determine the next challenger for Zhang Weili’s belt. Mauricio Ruffy, from the Fighting Nerds team, faces Bobby Green in a lightweight bout promising fireworks, with the Brazilian aiming to solidify his name in the division. In the prelims, Brunno Ferreira meets Armen Petrosyan in the middleweight division, while Carlos Leal squares off against Alex Morono at welterweight.

The Brazilian contingent doesn’t stop there. Mairon Santos, making his UFC debut on the same card as his idol Poatan, faces Francis Marshall in the featherweight division, calling it a dream come true. Djorden Santos, another rising star, takes on Ozzy Diaz in the middleweight category. These fighters highlight Brazil’s diversity across weight classes and its strength at the event, which comes at a peak moment for the nation’s MMA scene.

Full UFC 313 schedule

UFC 313 starts early for U.S. viewers, with the first fights at 6:30 PM ET. The card is split into three segments: early prelims, prelims, and the main card. Here’s the confirmed lineup and times:

• 6:30 PM ET: Early prelims, featuring Chris Gutierrez vs. John Castaneda (featherweight).
• 7:30 PM ET: Prelims, including Brunno Ferreira vs. Armen Petrosyan (middleweight) and Mairon Santos vs. Francis Marshall (featherweight).
• 10:00 PM ET: Main card, headlined by Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev (light heavyweight title) and Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev (lightweight).

The event takes place at T-Mobile Arena, with sold-out tickets ranging from $352 to nearly $4,000, reflecting the high anticipation. For those not in Las Vegas, UFC Fight Pass is the go-to option, with prelims also available for free on UFC’s social media channels.

Main card highlights

The UFC 313 main card features five high-stakes fights, starting at 10:00 PM ET. Beyond the light heavyweight title bout, Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev headline the co-main event in the lightweight division. Gaethje, a former interim champion, defeated Fiziev by decision in 2023, and now the Kazakh seeks revenge after recovering from injury. Both are known for thrilling fights, amassing 18 performance bonuses in the UFC.

Other notable matchups include Amanda Lemos vs. Iasmin Lucindo, a Brazilian showdown at strawweight, and Mauricio Ruffy vs. Bobby Green in the lightweight division. The night opens with Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev, a heavyweight clash that could shake up the rankings. Each main card fight has the potential for finishes or gripping decisions, keeping viewers on edge.

Facts about Poatan and Ankalaev

The rivalry between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev heats up UFC 313. Here are some key details about the headliners:

• Poatan is a former Glory Kickboxing champion and has won two UFC titles (middleweight and light heavyweight).
• Ankalaev boasts a 13-fight unbeaten streak, with 11 UFC wins since 2018.
• The Brazilian has knocked out seven opponents in the UFC, while the Russian has nine knockout or TKO victories in his career.
• This marks Poatan’s first UFC fight against an elite wrestler like Ankalaev.

At the ceremonial weigh-ins on Friday, the two shared a tense staredown. Poatan stepped up with face paint and an indigenous headdress, while Ankalaev vowed to “finish” the champion, heightening the stakes for the showdown.

What to expect from the main event

Analysts predict the Poatan-Ankalaev fight will hinge on their stylistic clash. The Brazilian, with his pinpoint striking and knockout power, is the betting favorite at +170 odds, reflecting his experience in five-round fights. Ankalaev, at -200 odds, relies on his stout defense and grappling to bring the fight to the ground, where he believes he holds the edge. Experts suggest that if Poatan keeps it standing, a knockout could come in the later rounds, while Ankalaev will aim for takedowns early on.

Both fighters prepared rigorously. Poatan worked on takedown defense with Glover Teixeira, while Ankalaev trained striking with Alexander Volkov. The bout is considered Poatan’s toughest light heavyweight test yet, and a win could cement his legacy as one of the UFC’s all-time greats.

Brazilian presence beyond Poatan

Beyond the champion, UFC 313’s Brazilian fighters bring their own stories. Amanda Lemos, with 14 MMA wins, faces young Iasmin Lucindo, 23, in a strawweight bout that could shape the division’s future. Mauricio Ruffy, known for his Fighting Nerds glasses, aims to impress against Bobby Green, who countered with golden shades at the weigh-ins. In the prelims, Brunno Ferreira brings his judo background, while Mairon Santos fulfills a dream debuting alongside his idol.

Times and viewing options

To catch all the UFC 313 action, fans should note the schedule. Prelims begin at 6:30 PM ET, with free streaming on UFC Fight Pass, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok. The main card, starting at 10:00 PM ET, is exclusive to Fight Pass, which offers a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. The platform also provides replays and highlights post-event, offering flexibility for viewers.