In a shocking upset at UFC 313 on Saturday night, Magomed Ankalaev dethroned Alex Pereira with a unanimous decision victory to capture the undisputed light heavyweight championship. Ankalaev’s relentless pressure and aggressive strategy overwhelmed the reigning champion, ending Pereira’s reign in a fight that left the MMA world buzzing.
Ankalaev (21-1-1) executed his game plan to perfection, applying constant pressure and unleashing a devastating left hand that repeatedly staggered Pereira, one of UFC’s most decorated stars. The judges’ scorecards reflected Ankalaev’s dominance, with scores of 49-46 and two at 48-47, handing Pereira (12-3-0) his first loss in four title defenses.
“I can’t even put it into words,” an emotional Ankalaev said through a translator during his post-fight interview in the octagon. “It’s been such a long way, and it’s my dream. It’s on my waist.”
Despite a barrage of leg kicks from Pereira in the opening round, Ankalaev refused to back down. The 32-year-old challenger flipped the script, taking the fight to Pereira and silencing a pro-Pereira crowd that greeted the announcement of the decision with a chorus of boos.
“I knew it would be a war,” said Pereira, who closed as a -120 favorite at BetMGM Sportsbook. “Every fight of mine is a war.” The 37-year-old Brazilian, who turns 38 in July, acknowledged the closeness of the bout, sparking immediate speculation about a rematch. UFC President Dana White kept it simple when asked about the possibility: “Probably.”
Co-Main Event and Undercard Highlights
In the co-main event, No. 3-ranked lightweight Justin Gaethje (27-5-0) thrilled fans with a unanimous decision victory over No. 11 Rafael Fiziev (12-4-0) in a bout dubbed “Fight of the Night.” Gaethje, stepping in after Dan Hooker withdrew due to a hand injury, dropped Fiziev with a brutal right uppercut in the second round en route to the win.
Elsewhere on the card, lightweight Ignacio Bahamondes (17-5-0) made quick work of Jalin Turner (14-9-0), securing a first-round submission via triangle choke at 2:29. Following the loss, Turner attempted to re-enter the octagon to leave his gloves as a sign of retirement but was denied by security.
No. 5 strawweight Amanda Lemos (15-4-1) outpointed No. 7 Iasmin Lucindo (17-6-0) in a unanimous decision, while Mauricio Ruffy (12-1-0) delivered a highlight-reel knockout with a spinning heel kick to the temple of King Green (32-17-1) just 2:07 into their lightweight clash.
Robbie Lawler Honored with UFC Hall of Fame Induction
The night also featured a heartfelt tribute to former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler, who was cageside as a tribute video played in his honor. The emotional Lawler received a standing ovation when it was announced he would be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s Modern Wing as part of the Class of 2025 during 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 Dana White said in a statement.
UFC 313 delivered a mix of jaw-dropping finishes, career-defining moments, and a new champion, setting the stage for an exciting 2025 in the octagon.
