UFC 313 sees the sport’s current biggest star, Alex Pereira, make his first appearance of 2025 as he faces dangerous number one contender Magomed Ankalaev.
The Brazilian headlined three numbered cards last year, including the historic UFC 300, and scored knockout wins in all of them.
The co-main event sees a hastily arranged rematch as Justin Gaethje faces Rafael Fiziev after a closely fought striking battle back in 2023.
UFC 313 Tips
- Alex Pereira to win by KO, TKO or DQ @ 5/4
- Justin Gaethje to win @ 13/10
- Mauricio Ruffy to win by KO, TKO or DQ @ 23/20
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A big test for Pereira
The big question surrounding Pereira’s reigns as both Middleweight and Light Heavyweight champion has been how he would perform against someone with elite grappling.
The man who will stand across from him in the Octagon this weekend, Ankalaev, certainly has that wrestling pedigree, even though he rarely chooses to showcase it.
The Dagestan fighter is a Master of Sport in Combat Sambo but in his UFC career we have seen him mostly as a technical kickboxer.
The one time he did show his wrestling credentials was in 2022 when Ankalaev fought Jan Blachowicz for the vacant title, which ended in a split draw.
The 32-year-old held the Polish fighter down for large elements of the fight, amassing a control time of over eleven minutes from a total of fifteen.
Pereira’s ability to grapple has rarely been tested, in his Light Heavyweight debut against Blachowicz he was able to defend five takedowns successfully but was taken down three times with a total control time of over seven minutes.
On the feet, history shows Pereira has more often than not been able to find a way; he has had six championship fights which have all ended within the distance, with five wins and one defeat.
Overall, seven of his nine UFC wins have come by knockout, with his trademark left hook leaving a trail of devastation across the Middleweight and Light Heavyweight divisions.
Ankalaev is no slouch on the feet, from his 11 wins he has six by KO/TKOs and outpointed talented striker Aleksandar Rakic last October to secure this opportunity.
Tactics will be important here; as will Pereira’s ability to defend takedowns should they ultimately come.
We have come to expect big moments from Pereira and although this will be tough, the Brazilian can deliver once more.
The time is now for Tafa
It’s highly unlikely that the UFC have already penciled in bonus cheques for Justin Gaethje (25-5-0) and Rafael Fiziev (12-3-0) ahead of this rematch.
The pair’s 2023 clash in London was awarded “Fight of the Night” with Gaethje winning a razor close split decision after coming on strong in the final half of the contest.
Both men have extremely fan friendly styles, with Gaethje winning Performance or Fight of the night in 11 of his 13 contests, twice taking home a cheque for both.
Fiziev has bonuses in six of his eight UFC contests, taking home six consecutive $50k cheques between the start of 2020 and the original Gaethje fight in 2023.
The Kazakhstan fighter returns here at short notice after almost 18 months out after tearing his ACL when throwing a kick in a fight with Mateusz Gamrot in September 2023.
Gaethje takes this fight after staying on the card following the withdrawal of original opponent Dan Hooker and with the shadow of a knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300 last April still looming over him.
Both have questions to answer but with a full camp behind him the number three ranked Gaethje could well hold his spot.
Topuria vs. Volvanovski rivalries renewed
Mauricio Ruffy (11-1-0) has a growing reputation as one of the most exciting up and coming strikers on the roster and can showcase it here against veteran King Green (32-16-1, 1 NC).
The Brazilian made his debut at UFC 301 in his home country last June, making light work of Jamie Mullarkey when ending the fight in the first round.
The 28-year-old was given a spot on the Jon Jones card at Madison Square Garden in November and although he got the win, he was given a tough test against the durable James Llontop.
Returning to 155lb’s should bring out the best in Ruffy, who catches the eye with his low-hand karate style which has earmarks of a young Conor McGregor.
Green is a wily veteran who also keeps his hands low, but recent performances against younger fighters have shown his reflexes may not be what they used to be.
The 38-year-old was brutally knocked out in the first round by Jalin Turner in late 2023, while Paddy Pimblett also ended Green’s last outing in the opening round, putting him to sleep with a triangle choke.
Green did defeat 41-year-old Jim Miller in between those fights but wins against true up and comers may be a step too far these days.
Ruffy looks to have all the hallmarks of a future contender and he is backed to pass this test against a former ranked lightweight contender.
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