UFC 313: Ankalaev upsets Alex Pereira to win undisputed belt
Magomed Ankalaev celebrates after defeating Alex Pereira in a UFC 313 mixed martial arts light heavyweight title bout Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
LAS VEGAS — Magomed Ankalaev scored a stunning upset with a unanimous decision to take Alex Pereira’s undisputed light heavyweight belt at UFC 313 on Saturday night.
All three judges scored in favor of Ankalaev (21-1-1), with scores of 29-26 and two at 28-27.
“I knew it would be a war,” said Pereira (12-3-0), who was putting his belt on the line for the fourth time. “Every fight of mine is a war.”
READ: UFC: Alex Pereira defends title vs Ankalaev with grander visions
The moment he's been waiting for! 👏@AnkalaevM is the NEW Light Heavyweight Champion! #UFC313 pic.twitter.com/l4rtlMY8ba
— UFC (@ufc) March 9, 2025
Pereira (12-2), who turns 38 on July 7, closed -120 at BetMGM Sportsbook.
In the co-main event, the No. 3-ranked lightweight and fan favorite Justin Gaethje (27-5-0) earned a unanimous decision over No. 11 Rafael Fiziev (12-4-0). Gaethje was scheduled to fight Dan Hooker, who pulled out because of a hand injury. Gatheje dropped Fiziev with a stiff right uppercut in the second round.
Lightweight Ignacio Bahamondes (17-5-0) earned a first-round win when he made Jalin Turner (14-9-0) tap after administering a triangle choke at the 2:29 mark. Turner left the cage and waited in front of press row for Bahamondes to finish his interview, intending to return to the cage to leave his gloves and signify his retirement. Security would not let him return, however.
No. 5 strawweight contender Amanda Lemos improved to 15-4-1 with a unanimous decision over seventh-ranked Iasmin Lucindo (17-6-0).
READ: Alex Pereira stops Khalil Rountree Jr. to retain crown at UFC 307
Mauricio Ruffy (12-1-0) delivered a spinning heel kick with his right foot to the temple of King Green (32-17-1) to score a vicious knockout just 2:07 into the first found.
Just after Ruffy’s knockout kick and before the women’s bout, a tribute video for Robbie Lawler played in honor of the former welterweight champion. Watching cageside, an emotional Lawler received a standing ovation as it was announced he would be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s Modern Wing as a member of the Class of 2025. The ceremony will take place as part of the 13th Annual UFC International Fight Week on June 26.
“Robbie was an absolute killer, and I have a ton of respect for his toughness and his fighting style, which helped grow the sport of MMA and UFC by attracting a lot of new fans,” UFC president and CEO Dana White said in a statement.
