This Saturday night, March 8, promises to etch itself into MMA history with UFC 313, featuring Brazilian Alex Pereira, widely known as Poatan, taking on Russia’s Magomed Ankalaev in the main event. Held at the iconic T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the bout is for the light heavyweight title and marks Poatan’s fourth consecutive title defense since claiming the belt in November 2023. Live coverage kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET, with prelims streaming free on UFC’s digital channels, while the main card, starting at 10:00 p.m. ET, is exclusive to UFC Fight Pass, the organization’s official streaming platform. Beyond the championship clash, the event boasts big names like Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev in the co-main event, plus a strong Brazilian contingent with seven fighters total, underscoring the nation’s global MMA influence.
Boasting a record of 12 wins and 2 losses, Poatan enters the octagon as the betting favorite with +170 odds, thanks to his devastating knockout streak and experience in five-round wars. Ankalaev, with a 20-1-1 record and -200 odds, counters with a 13-fight unbeaten streak and a rock-solid defense, positioning him as the toughest technical challenge the Brazilian champion has faced in the 205-pound division. Their rivalry, fueled by social media jabs, heightens anticipation for this showdown.
UFC 313 offers more than just the headliner. The card features 12 confirmed fights split between prelims and the main event, spotlighting other Brazilian talents like Amanda Lemos, Iasmin Lucindo, and Mauricio Ruffy, who face formidable opponents in their divisions. The mix of contrasting styles and the potential for finishes or thrilling decisions make this a must-watch event for fans.
CHAMA OU NÃO CHAMA??? A última encarada entre ???????? Alex "Poatan" Pereira e ???????? Magomed Ankalaev antes da luta pelo título mundial dos 93kg no UFC 313. pic.twitter.com/4Zm5RADTma
— MMA Melotto (@MMAmelotto) March 8, 2025
Poatan aims for fourth title defense against Ankalaev
At 37, Alex Pereira has solidified his status as one of UFC’s most feared fighters since debuting in 2021. After capturing the middleweight title in 2022 by knocking out Israel Adesanya, he moved up to light heavyweight and defeated Jiri Prochazka in November 2023 to claim that division’s crown. Since then, he’s notched three successful defenses: Jamahal Hill in April 2024, Prochazka again in June, and Khalil Rountree Jr. in October—all ended before the final bell. Now, he faces Magomed Ankalaev, an elite wrestler whose ground game could push Poatan’s durability to new limits. A former two-division Glory Kickboxing champion, the Brazilian excels in precision striking but must prove he can handle the Russian’s grappling prowess.
Magomed Ankalaev, 32, steps into the cage with an impressive resume and a path that marks him as a top contender. His lone UFC loss came in his 2018 debut, submitted by Paul Craig in the final seconds of round three. Since then, he’s racked up 11 wins and 1 draw in the promotion, including a 2022 title shot against Jan Blachowicz that ended in a no-contest. Recent victories over Johnny Walker and Aleksandar Rakic in 2024 showcase a versatile fighter blending powerful kicks with mat dominance, potentially the key to dethroning Poatan.
This matchup pits contrasting styles against each other. Poatan relies on surgical striking, while Ankalaev may aim to take it to the ground, leveraging his wrestling background. Tensions escalated after the Russian’s social media taunts claiming the Brazilian dodged him, making UFC 313 a highly anticipated clash.
Full card and Brazilian stars shine at UFC 313
UFC 313 delivers a stacked lineup, spanning flyweights to light heavyweights, catering to all tastes. The co-main event pits former interim lightweight champ Justin Gaethje against Rafael Fiziev in a much-awaited rematch. Gaethje won their first clash in 2023 by decision, but Fiziev, back from an injury layoff, vows to even the score. Other main card highlights include Jalin Turner vs. Ignacio Bahamondes in the lightweight division and an all-Brazilian strawweight showdown between Amanda Lemos and Iasmin Lucindo.
Seven Brazilians bolster the event, showcasing the country’s MMA prowess. Amanda Lemos, ranked fifth in strawweight, aims to rebound against seventh-ranked Iasmin Lucindo, riding a three-fight win streak. Undefeated Mauricio Ruffy (11-0) takes on veteran King Green in the lightweight division, while Brunno Ferreira faces Armen Petrosyan at middleweight. Carlos Leal, Mairon Santos, and Djorden Santos round out the Brazilian roster, battling Alex Morono, Francis Marshall, and Ozzy Diaz, respectively, in fights that could propel their careers.
Schedule and how to watch UFC 313 live
Fans eager to catch every second of UFC 313 need to mark the times. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. ET with early prelims, followed by prelims at 7:30 p.m. ET, and the main card at 10:00 p.m. ET. The first six prelim fights air free on UFC’s YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok channels, plus UFC Fight Pass. The main card, including the title fight, is exclusive to Fight Pass, requiring a subscription.
Here’s the detailed schedule:
- 6:30 p.m. ET: Early prelims, featuring Chris Gutierrez vs. John Castaneda (featherweight).
- 7:30 p.m. ET: Prelims, including Brunno Ferreira vs. Armen Petrosyan (middleweight) and Mairon Santos vs. Francis Marshall (featherweight).
- 10:00 p.m. ET: Main card, headlined by Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev (light heavyweight title) and Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev (lightweight).
To watch live, a stable internet connection of at least 10 Mbps ensures HD streaming. Downloading the Fight Pass app or accessing digital channels early avoids last-minute hiccups.
Clash of styles: what to expect from Poatan vs. Ankalaev
The UFC 313 main event pits two of the world’s top light heavyweights in a fight that could shape the division’s future. Alex Pereira brings a seven-knockout streak in title fights, a remarkable feat reflecting his finishing power. His latest win over Khalil Rountree Jr. showed grit, overcoming early pressure to score a fourth-round KO. Facing Ankalaev, however, presents a unique test, as the Russian’s blend of kicks and wrestling is uncharted territory for Poatan in the UFC.
Magomed Ankalaev counters with a well-rounded arsenal. His nine knockouts or TKOs prove he’s not just a grappler, but his 13-fight unbeaten run since 2018 and a dominant win over Rakic in October 2024 cement his contender status. The bout promises a test of endurance and adaptability, with experts split on the outcome.
Pre-fight tension spiked after Poatan’s 2024 win over Prochazka, when Ankalaev challenged him online, claiming he’d fight anywhere the UFC chose. Pereira’s acceptance set the stage for a showdown that could hinge on striking or grappling.
Numbers and trivia of UFC 313
UFC 313 is packed with stats and stories beyond the fights. Check out these highlights:
- Alex Pereira holds a 9-1 record at light heavyweight, with 100% finishes in title defenses.
- Magomed Ankalaev boasts 13 unbeaten fights, including 11 UFC wins since 2018.
- Brazil has 42 active UFC fighters in 2024, with a 58% win rate, among the highest globally.
- Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev have earned 18 performance bonuses combined, hinting at an explosive co-main event.
The event also marks Mairon Santos’ UFC debut against Francis Marshall and a chance for Djorden Santos to shine vs. Ozzy Diaz, both rising Brazilian prospects.
Brazilian presence elevates Las Vegas event
Beyond Poatan, Brazil brings a robust lineup to UFC 313, with fighters poised to steal the spotlight. Amanda Lemos, with 14 wins in 19 fights, clashes with Iasmin Lucindo, who at 23 has 17 victories in 22 bouts. Their strawweight bout could signal the next title challenger for Zhang Weili. Mauricio Ruffy, unbeaten at 11-0, tests himself against King Green, a seasoned fighter with 32 wins in 49 fights, in a lightweight proving ground.
Brunno Ferreira, dubbed “Hulk,” seeks his fourth UFC win against Armen Petrosyan, while Carlos Leal, in his second UFC outing, takes on Alex Morono, a 36-fight veteran. Debutants Mairon Santos and Djorden Santos face Francis Marshall and Ozzy Diaz, respectively, in matchups that could kickstart their journeys on MMA’s biggest stage.
