This Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, UFC 313 promises an explosive lineup, with the biggest star of the last two years, Alex Pereira, leading the charge. Pereira is preparing for his fifth title fight in just 16 months, where he’ll face the division's top contender, Magomed Ankalaev.
Here’s a breakdown of the exciting bouts on the main card this weekend.
Main Event – Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev (UFC Light Heavyweight Championship)
Alex Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) has taken the UFC by storm since his arrival in 2021, delivering jaw-dropping performances and unforgettable moments. From capturing the middleweight title in only his fourth UFC fight to knocking out Jiri Prochazka and becoming a two-weight world champion, Pereira’s journey has been nothing short of spectacular.
The Brazilian is one of 9 fighters to capture UFC gold in 2 different weight classes, but having accomplished that feat in just 7 appearances inside the Octagon, he has done it far quicker than anyone else.
Now reigning at 205 pounds, Pereira has continued to shine on the biggest stages, delivering spectacular knockout finishes with ease. He will look to extend his knockout streak to five when he faces Magomed Ankalaev (20-1-1 MMA, 11-1-1 UFC) on Saturday night.
Ankalaev, who has often been overlooked in the UFC’s matchmaking decisions, is finally getting his shot at gold. His 13-fight unbeaten streak is the second-longest in UFC light heavyweight history, bettered only Jon Jones (18).
The stoic and quiet Dagestani fighter has had to wait for his turn after Pereira’s meteoric rise to the top. However, Ankalaev’s striking and wrestling skills could make him a formidable challenge for the Brazilian champion. His best chance at victory could lie in a wrestling-heavy strategy, but Ankalaev has recently focused more on boxing, so it’ll be intriguing to see if he switches things up in this crucial fight.
Co-Main Event – Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev (155 pounds)
Fans are in for a treat as Justin Gaethje (25-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) faces Rafael Fiziev (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) in a thrilling lightweight clash, a rematch from UFC 286. Gaethje was originally scheduled to face Dan Hooker and Fiziev stepped up when Hooker withdrew, ready to take on 'The Highlight' once again.
Gaethje is the only fighter in UFC history to win at least one fight-night bonus in each of his first seven octagon appearances, and he has been awarded 13 fight-night bonuses in 13 UFC appearances.
Gaethje comes into this fight following a devastating knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300, raising questions about his durability moving forward. Meanwhile, Fiziev is making his comeback after recovering from an ACL injury sustained in his September 2023 fight against Mateusz Gamrot. In their first encounter, Fiziev’s speed gave Gaethje trouble early, but the former’s resilience allowed him to eventually grind out a win. If Gaethje’s chin is compromised, Fiziev’s powerful strikes could prove to be a game-changer.
Jalin Turner vs. Ignacio Bahamondes (155 pounds)
Two towering figures at 155 pounds will square off when Jalin Turner (14-8 MMA, 7-5 UFC) meets Ignacio Bahamondes (16-5 MMA, 5-2 UFC). At 6'3", both men are known for their reach and striking ability, with Bahamondes known for his knockout power.
Bahamondes is on an impressive two-fight win streak after securing first-round knockouts over Christos Giagos and Manuel Torres in 2024, while Turner has struggled, losing three of his last four and suffering a TKO loss to Renato Moicano in his only fight last year. This is a pivotal matchup for both fighters, with Bahamondes looking to continue his ascent and Turner seeking a bounce-back performance.
Iasmin Lucindo vs. Amanda Lemos (115 pounds)
The 23-year-old Iasmin Lucindo (17-5 MMA, 4-1 UFC) has been making waves in the strawweight division and looks to continue her rise as she faces former title contender Amanda Lemos (14-4-1 MMA, 8-4 UFC).
Lemos, with five stoppage victories in UFC strawweight competition, is tied for second-most in divisional history behind Jessica Andrade (six).
Lucindo has been on a tear, winning four straight and most recently defeating Karolina Kowalkiewicz and Marina Rodriguez in 2024 to secure the #7 spot in the rankings. Lemos, despite being 14 years older, is a dangerous competitor with a wealth of experience. This fight will be a major test for Lucindo’s championship potential.
King Green vs. Mauricio Ruffy (155 pounds)
The opening bout of the main card features a clash between veteran King Green (32-16-1 MMA, 13-11-1 UFC) and the up-and-coming Mauricio Ruffy (11-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC). Ruffy, a dynamic striker with explosive power, has earned comparisons to a young Conor McGregor due to his fluid movement and one-punch knockout ability, including a stunning debut win over Jamie Mullarkey.
Green, a seasoned veteran, is looking to bounce back after a submission loss to Paddy Pimblett at UFC 304. Green has landed 1,860 significant strikes in UFC lightweight competition, the most in divisional history.
With Ruffy’s star on the rise, this fight offers Green a chance to prove he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
