The headlining fight at UFC 313 will feature a highly anticipated Light Heavyweight title match between reigning champion Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev. And rest assured, this head-to-head is shaping up to be a doozy.
- What: UFC 313
- When: Saturday, March 8, 2025
- Start Time: 7 p.m. EST (preliminary bouts), 10 p.m. EST (main card)
- Where: Paradise, Nevada
- Venue: T-Mobile Arena
- Where to Watch: ESPN+ (subscription required)
- Main Event: Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev
Pereira comes to UFC 313 with a 12-2-0 overall record and an extensive track record of defending his belt. After snagging a title from Israel Adesanya at UFC 281, he proceeded to surrender it right back during their rematch at UFC 287. However, he earned another title shot against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295, which he won with an elbow knockout in the second round. Since then, he has defended the belt three times—earning a victory by knockout or total knockout on each occasion.
For Ankalaev, this will mark his second title opportunity with The Company. He earned his first one at UFC 282 against Jan Blachowicz, ultimately missing out after the match ended in a draw. In three fights since, he has turned in a no-contest versus Johnny Walker, a victory over Walker in January 2025 and then another win against Aleksandar Rakic at 308.
That win over Rakic essentially sealed Ankalaev’s Light Heavyweight title shot at UFC 313. He brings a 20-1-1 lifetime record with The Company to the table. Moreover, in recent weeks, the push among bettors investing in him is palpable.
UFC 313 Main Event: Alex Pereira vs Magomed Ankalaev Betting Lines
Despite budding momentum for the 32-year-old Ankalaev, the latest online UFC betting odds still have Pereira pegged as the favorite. As you can see below, though, the margin is hardly that large:
Remember to keep double-checking UFC 313 betting odds right up until you actually submit your wager. Our UFC 313 online betting lines are accurate entering Monday, February 24. This gives the best online UFC betting sites more than enough time to make adjustments ahead of the opening bell on March 8.
The Pereira vs. Ankalaev match, in particular, is one you will want to keep your eye on. It is very rare that a challenger like Ankalaev only pays out 1-to-1. In the coming weeks, there will likely be a measurable shift that shortens or lengthens his UFC Light Heavyweight championship odds.
The Case for Alex Pereira to Beat Magomed Ankalaev
Even though Alex Pereiera is not the heavy favorite to retain his title against Magomed Ankalaev, there is no denying his recent track record. Here is a brief overview of all his championship defenses since snagging the Light Heavyweight belt in November 2023:
- UFC 300 (April 2024): Pereiera wins by knockout/total knockout, via punches, against Jamahl Hill.
- UFC 303 (June 2024): Pereiera defeats Jiri Prochazka in the second round with a knockout/total knockout thanks to a well-placed kick.
- UFC 307 (October 2024): Pereira earns a victory by knocking out Khalil Rountree Jr. (via punch) with just 28 seconds to go in the fourth round.
Power and accuracy continue to define Pereiera’s championship fighting style. He comes to UFC 313 in Nevada converting 63 percent of his strike attempts. That is well north of The Company average of 47 percent. What’s more, he is landing almost 5.5 significant strikes per minute for his career.
Tack on his absurd reach (79 inches) and the way he times and places his kicks, and he is among the UFC fighters most likely to end matches in one shot.
The Case for Magomed Ankalaev to Beat Alex Pereira
Defense and takedown artistry should give Magomed Ankalaev a puncher’s chance of beating Alex Pereira and grabbing the Light Heavyweight belt.
Indeed, Ankalaev may have trouble keeping up with Pereira’s striking ability. The former is connecting on a smaller percentage of his strikes (52 percent), and he lands nearly two full significant strikes less on a per-minute basis.
Still, Ankaleav can be tough to break through. He knows how to angle his body and arms when on the move and seldom looks overmatched when forced to his backfoot or to outright backpedal.
On top of all that, he profiles as the superior grappler and wrestler. He isn’t especially accurate with his takedown attempts, but he’s more likely overall to bring his opponent down to the mat. And in the event Pereira attempts to do the same, Ankaleav’s takedown defense verges on magnificent. Opponents are completing fewer than 15 percent of their takedown attempts when going up against him.
UFC 313 Picks for Pereira vs. Ankalaev
While this matchup should wind up being ultra-compelling, we tend to think the best online UFC betting apps are currently overvaluing Ankalaev’s chances. He may be the better takedown artist, but it’s not necessarily a huge part of his arsenal. Ankalaev also has a proclivity for attempting to be accomplished strikers at their own game. Just because he has more wrestling chops doesn’t mean he will employ them.
That will end up being a problem versus Pereira. His striking is worlds ahead of Ankalaev’s combinations.
Pereira is also better at shape-shifting his approach on the fly. If it turns out that Ankalaev makes it impossible for him to connect on knockout-type blows, he will adjust his offensive maneuvers accordingly. We are not just talking about changing his angles. Pereira has the capacity to change fighting stances, the overall cadence at which he fights, and the areas of the body he’s targeting.
In the end, the reigning champ should remain the champ, proving to be too much, which is to say too versatile and powerful, for Ankalaev.
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