Alex Pereira vs Magomed Ankalaev Prediction: Light Heavyweight Title Bout Main Events UFC 313

Jay Sanin on March 6th, 2025

The UFC light heavyweight title is on the line in Las Vegas on Saturday night as Alex Pereira defends his championship against Magomed Ankalaev. These fighters have two combined losses across their UFC careers and will look to keep their records mostly clean in this title fight. Will Pereira’s championship experience win out in this matchup, or will Ankalaev get his first win in a championship fight?

Here, we break down Alex Pereira vs Magomed Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 313. We will discuss the keys to this fight for both men. You can also continue reading to find our best bet for this bout, which will decide the short-term future of the light heavyweight division in UFC.

Can Alex Pereira Defend Light Heavyweight Crown?

Going into UFC 313, Alex Pereira is a slight favorite over Magomed Ankalaev, with odds of -119 at Sportzino compared to -105 odds for Ankalaev to win their fight. Pereira has won five straight fights since his last loss, including four fights with championship gold on the line. Here, he will look to leverage his experience in five-round title fights, as he enters this matchup with a 5-1 record all-time in UFC title bouts.

For Pereira explosive endings have been the rule, not the exception, in his championship matchups. All six championship fights he has taken part in have ended by knockout, with four of those finishes coming in the first two rounds. His explosive striking will be the key to this fight, as the Brazilian will look to land big early to get Ankalaev off his game.

Magomed Ankalaev Looks For First UFC Title

This is Magomed Ankalaev’s second career UFC title fight, after fighting to a draw against Jan Blachowicz in the main event of UFC 282 for the light heavyweight title. Ankalaev has won 11 straight fights that have not resulted in draws or no contests and he will look to continue that winning streak against Pereira. To get the biggest win of his career so far, Ankalaev will need to neutralize Pereira’s elite striking ability.

It is worth noting going into this fight that Ankalaev has slightly modified the typical practice of fasting for Ramadan. That is being done to help him go through the weight cutting process successfully leading up to this fight. As far as how that process will impact his ability to deliver in this championship matchup, that remains to be seen.