Alex Pereira will make the fourth defense of his light heavyweight title against top contender Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 in March.

After a historic 2024 campaign, UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has his first assignment of the new year. Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) will attempt to make a fourth consecutive defense of his belt when he takes on streaking contender Magomed Ankalaev (20-1-1 MMA,

The release of opening odds for the announced UFC 313 headliner between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev have raised some eyebrows.

Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev is finally official. In a matchup long in the making, Pereira defends his UFC light heavyweight title against Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 313 on March 8 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, UFC announced Saturday.

UFC 313 is taking shape. The promotion announced UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev for the main event with support from a lightweight contest between Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker.

Starting with the challenger, Ankalaev is getting his second crack at the light heavyweight title. His first shot came in December 2022 when he fought Jan Blachowicz to a draw. Ankalaev hasn’t lost since 2018 when he was submitted in the final seconds against Paul Craig.

T he highly debated UFC light heavyweight fight has finally crystallized itself into reality. Magomed Ankalaev has gotten his opportunity to fight Alex Pereira at the UFC 313 main

Light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira (12-2) returns to action at UFC 313 on March 8 to face Magomed Ankalaev (19-1) at Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena. As confirmed on the UFC 311 broadcast, Brazil's Pereira looks to make the fourth defense of his 205-pound title against an opponent who hasn't tasted defeat since 2018.