UFC 313 Full Card Preview: Pereira vs. Ankalaev

The main card is stacked with high-stakes matchups, including a lightweight showdown between Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev, while Jalin Turner meets rising prospect Ignacio Bahamondes. The women's strawweight division also sees Amanda Lemos taking on Iasmin Lucindo, and King Green faces off against Mauricio Ruffy to round out the PPV lineup.

The prelims bring further excitement, with Curtis Blaydes returning against Rizvan Kuniev, and Joshua Van taking on Rei Tsuruya in a flyweight bout. With a mix of elite talent, rising prospects, and stylistic fireworks, UFC 313 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting events of the year.

Main Event: Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev (Light Heavyweight Championship)

In just six UFC fights, Alex Pereira has already won titles in two divisions and solidified himself as one of the most dangerous strikers in the sport. The former kickboxing world champion has showcased his elite power and fight IQ, recently defending his 205-pound title with a dominant fourth-round finish over Khalil Rountree Jr..

Standing in his way is Magomed Ankalaev, who brings a 13-fight unbeaten streak into this championship bout. The Dagestani powerhouse has methodically worked his way through the division, picking up wins over top contenders like Johnny Walker and Aleksandar Rakic.

Ankalaev’s well-rounded skill set, including his powerful striking and dominant grappling, presents a serious challenge to Pereira’s reign. If he can close the distance and control the Brazilian on the ground, he has the tools to become the new light heavyweight champion. However, if Pereira can keep the fight standing and land one of his signature left hooks, we may see yet another highlight-reel finish.

This fight is a classic striker vs. grappler matchup, and how it unfolds will likely determine the landscape of the light heavyweight division for years to come.

Co-Main Event: Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev (Lightweight Bout)

In what promises to be an all-out war, Justin Gaethje meets Rafael Fiziev in a high-octane lightweight rematch. These two first met at UFC 286, where Gaethje edged out a razor-close decision in one of the most exciting fights of the year.

Gaethje, known for his relentless pressure, devastating leg kicks, and granite chin, has been a fan favorite since joining the UFC. However, he’s coming off a brutal KO loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300 and will be looking to get back on track.

Fiziev, on the other hand, has been sidelined with injuries since suffering a knee injury against Mateusz Gamrot in September 2023. Now fully healed, the elite Muay Thai striker aims to prove he has made the necessary adjustments to even the score with Gaethje and put himself in title contention.

Expect fireworks from the opening bell, as these two love nothing more than standing and trading in the center of the Octagon.

Jalin Turner vs. Ignacio Bahamondes (Lightweight Bout)

Jalin Turner has been a mainstay in the lightweight rankings, but after suffering a loss to Renato Moicano at UFC 300, he is looking to get back on track. "The Tarantula" is an elite finisher with an aggressive style and a significant height and reach advantage over most opponents.

Ignacio Bahamondes, meanwhile, enters this fight on a two-fight winning streak, scoring back-to-back first-round knockouts and earning Performance of the Night bonuses. At just 27 years old, the Chilean striker is viewed as a future contender and will be looking to break into the lightweight rankings with a statement victory.

With both men favoring striking-heavy approaches, this has Fight of the Night potential written all over it.

Amanda Lemos vs. Iasmin Lucindo (Women's Strawweight Bout)

In a Brazilian showdown, Amanda Lemos and Iasmin Lucindo collide in a pivotal strawweight matchup.

Lemos, a former title challenger, is still considered one of the most dangerous fighters in the division. At 38 years old, she is running out of time for another championship push and will need an impressive performance to remain in the elite ranks.

Lucindo, just 23 years old, has been on a tear since joining the UFC, winning four straight fights and breaking into the Top 10. With a well-rounded skill set and youth on her side, she could use this fight as a springboard toward title contention.

This is a high-stakes matchup between a veteran looking to stay relevant and a young prospect on the rise.

King Green vs. Mauricio Ruffy (Lightweight Bout)

Kicking off the main card, King Green takes on Mauricio Ruffy in an exciting lightweight contest.

Green, a 50-fight veteran, is one of the most well-rounded fighters in the division. He bounced back from a submission loss to Paddy Pimblett with a solid decision win over Jim Miller.

Ruffy, a Dana White’s Contender Series graduate, is one of the most hyped Brazilian prospects in the division. His debut saw him finish Jamie Mullarkey, and he followed it up with another hard-fought win over James Llontop.

This will be a true veteran vs. prospect matchup, and how Ruffy handles Green’s experience will be a key factor in the fight.

Preliminary Card Fights

• Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev (Heavyweight Bout) – Blaydes looks to rebound after an interim title fight loss, while Kuniev, a promising Dagestani heavyweight, makes his UFC debut.
• Joshua Van vs. Rei Tsuruya (Flyweight Bout) – Two young flyweights battle it out in what could be a show-stealing fight.
• Brunno Ferreira vs. Armen Petrosyan (Middleweight Bout) – Both men are strikers with knockout power.
• Alex Morono vs. Carlos Leal (Welterweight Bout) – Morono, a gritty UFC veteran, meets a former LFA champion in Leal.
• Mairon Santos vs. Francis Marshall (Featherweight Bout) – A clash of young prospects in the 145-pound division.
• Djorden Santos vs. Ozzy Diaz (Middleweight Bout) – Santos, a highly touted DWCS graduate, faces former LFA champ Diaz in what should be an explosive fight.

With two elite light heavyweights battling for gold, a Gaethje-Fiziev rematch, and exciting matchups across the card, UFC 313 has all the ingredients to be one of the best events of the year. Whether it's Pereira’s power vs. Ankalaev’s wrestling, or the striking wars in the lightweight division, fans are in for a night of high-level MMA action in Las Vegas.

ACE Leans:

Note: These leans are not financial advice and are merely suggestions by our traders as to where they see the most value. Gamble responsibly.

Djorden Santos ML & Over 1.5 Rounds @ 2.40

John Castaneda by Decision @ 2.88

Mairon Santos ML & Over 1.5 Rounds @ 1.80

Carlos Leal by KO, TKO or DQ & Over 1.5 Rounds @ 4.20

Armen Petrosyan ML @ 1.75

Joshua Van ML, Most Strikes Landed & Over 1.5 Rounds @ 2.20

Curtis Blaydes KO, TKO or DQ & Over 1.5 Rounds @ 5.00

Mauricio Ruffy by KO, TKO or DQ @ 1.95

Amanda Lemos by Decision or Technical Decision @ 3.60

Ignacio Bahamondes ML @ 1.82

Rafael Fiziev ML & Over 1.5 Rounds @ 2.50

Ankalaev ML & Over 1.5 Rounds @ 2.74