Alex Pereira looks to make his first Octagon appearance of 2025 as he puts his light heavyweight title on the line against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313. The ESPN’s No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter, Pereira has beaten his last four opponents by knockout and is riding a high confidence level.
Ankalaev, who enters the fight on an 13-fight unbeaten streak, will need to use his range and educated striking to counter Pereira’s powerful offense. The key to Ankalaev’s success lies in avoiding Pereira’s leg kicks, which have proven devastating in his previous fights. If Ankalaev can mix up his game early on, he may be able to neutralize Pereira’s power and find an opening for a knockout.
However, it’s worth noting that Ankalaev has struggled with wrestling, often opting to stand and trade rather than committing to takedowns. If Pereira is able to use his grappling skills effectively, it could spell disaster for Ankalaev.
In the co-main event, fan favorite Justin Gaethje takes on Rafael Fiziev in a rematch of their March 2023 fight. Fiziev, who took this fight on short notice, has the advantage of being the better striker and is expected to win by knockout.
On the undercard, Brunno Ferreira faces Armen Petrosyan in a middleweight bout that promises to be a striking showdown between two skilled fighters.
Source: https://www.espn.com/mma/insider/story/_/id/44124324/ufc-313-expert-picks-best-bets-alex-pereira-magomed-ankalaev-justin-gaethje