Fight day is here!
We've already taken a deep dive into the UFC 313 main card, where Alex Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) competes in his fifth world title fight in just 16 months against Magomed Ankalaev (2-1-1 MMA, 11-1-1 UFC), and Justin Gaethje (25-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) runs it back against Rafael Fiziev (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) in the co-main.
Now let's take a look at 3 fights on the preliminary card that are flying under the radar, but have the potential to lift the roof off of T-Mobile Arena.
Clash Of The Giants - Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev
A battle between two giants sits at the top of the preliminary card as no. 5-ranked heavyweight Curtis Blaydes (18-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) welcomes Rizvan Kuniev (13-2-1) to the UFC.
Blaydes has been floating around at the top of the division over the past few years without ever really looking like he might make the breakthrough into the title picture. While the Chicago native has picked up some impressive wins along the way against Alexander Volkov, Jailton Almeida and Jairzinho Rozenstruik (we're not counting that victory over Tom Aspinall, are we?), he has come up short anytime he's faced one of the elite in the division such as Francis Ngannou or (a fully fit) Aspinall.
His placement in the featured preliminary bout against Kuniev this weekend feels like a calculated attempt by the UFC to allow their new Russian signing to claim a statement win against a big-name opponent, in front of as many viewers as possible, in order to slingshot him into the upper echelon of the heavyweight division.
Former Eagle FC champion Kuniev hasn't been beaten since 2015 and was most recently in action when he picked up a 1st-round knockout win over Hugo Cunha on the most recetn season of Dana White's Contender Series.
Asian Sensations - Rei Tsuruya vs. Joshua Van
Two of the most promising prospects in the flyweight division meet on the prelims, as 22-year-old Rei Tsuruya (10-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) returns after a successful Octagon debut at UFC 303 where he outpointed Carlos Hernandez. The Japanese star came to prominence via the Road To UFC platform and carries a real sumbmission threat.
Tsuruya will face Myanmar's Joshu Van (12-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) who has looked nothing short of sensational during his short UFC tenure to date. 'Fearless' has fast hands, knockout power and picked up wins over both Edgar Chairez and Cody Durden late in 2024.
Potential Fireworks - Brunno Ferreira vs. Armen Petrosyan
A pair of middleweights with a track record for delivering violent, action-packed fights are set to go head-to-head, as Brunno Ferreira (12-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) takes on Armen Petrosyan (8-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC).
Petrosyan will be coming into this weekend's fight with his back against the wall, having been finsihed in his last 2 fights by Rodolfo Viera and Shar Magomedov, while all 3 of Ferreira's UFC victories have come by way of 1st-round knockout. That being said, the Brazilian has also been finished twice inside the Octagon.
