Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev is ready for the UFC 313 main event

Alex Pereira has his first match in 2025.

“Poatan” is set to appear at UFC 313 on March 8 in Las Vegas as he defends his light heavyweight championship against top contender Magomed Ankalaev. The Main Event bout was officially announced during Saturday’s UFC 311 broadcast.

Also official is the co-main event, which features lightweight fan favorite Justin Gaethje throwing down with Dan Hooker.

Pereira is coming off a stunning 2024 campaign that saw him headline three UFC pay-per-views and leave each one with a highlight-reel knockout and his light heavyweight belt in tow. Most recently, Pereira defeated Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 in October.

He now faces Ankalaev, the longtime contender-in-waiting who is unbeaten in 13 straight fights since losing his UFC debut in 2018.

Gaethje and Hooker both look set to stay in the easy title picture as they deliver another appealing performance. “The Highlight” comes off the back of a brutal fight with Max Holloway at UFC 300, while Hooker is currently on a three-fight winning streak after beating Mateusz Gamrot, Jalin Turner and Claudio Puelles.