Alex Pereira will fight Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 in March

Alex Pereira will put his light heavyweight title on the line for the fourth time against Magomed Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 313 on March 8 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The fight was announced during the broadcast of UFC 311.

Pereira (12-2) is coming off a fantastic 2024 with three successful title defenses in 175 days. “Poatan” started the year by knocking out Jamahal Hill at UFC 300, returned on short notice to stop Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 and finished the year with a TKO stoppage of Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307.

Pereira’s fourth title defense could be his toughest yet. Known for his grappling, Ankalaev (19-1-1) is coming off a unanimous decision win over Aleksandar Rakic ​​at UFC 308. He’s been long overdue for a fight with Pereira and will get his way in March.

The co-main event will be a five-round lightweight showdown between former BMF champion Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker. Two of the most violent strikers in the lightweight division, they will engage in a bout that will garner a lot of attention with the potential to be an early frontrunner for fight of the year.

Gaethje (25-5) is back in action after suffering a knockout loss to Max Holloway to drop the BMF Championship at UFC 300. He is 2-2 in his last four fights. Hooker is a three-fight winner with victories over Claudio Puelles, Jalin Turner and Mateusz Gamrot.