UFC 313 Result: Magomed Ankalaev DETHRONES Alex Pereira to become new Light Heavyweight Champion

UFC 313 delivered a night of electrifying fights, shocking upsets, and unforgettable moments at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Headlined by a clash for the light heavyweight title between reigning champion Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev, the event saw intense battles across multiple divisions. Despite last-minute cancellations that impacted the card, fans were treated to an action-packed evening featuring high-level MMA competition.

Main Event: Magomed Ankalaev Claims Light Heavyweight Gold

In the highly anticipated main event, Magomed Ankalaev faced off against Alex Pereira for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Pereira, known for his knockout power and elite striking, entered the bout riding a five-fight winning streak. Ankalaev, on the other hand, was undefeated in his past 13 fights, making him a formidable challenger.

Fight Breakdown

From the opening round, Ankalaev showcased his wrestling and grappling skills, neutralizing Pereira’s striking by closing the distance and utilizing effective clinch work. Pereira, known for his devastating left hook, struggled to find his rhythm as Ankalaev maintained relentless pressure.

As the fight progressed, Ankalaev’s strategy became increasingly evident. He mixed in powerful ground-and-pound with dominant control, frustrating Pereira and limiting his offensive output. Despite Pereira’s resilience, Ankalaev’s takedowns and cage control dictated the pace of the fight.

The Decision

After five grueling rounds, the judges unanimously scored the fight in favor of Ankalaev (49-46, 48-47, 48-47), crowning him the new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. With this victory, Ankalaev extended his unbeaten streak to 14 fights and solidified his place as the division’s new king.

Co-Main Event: Gaethje vs. Fiziev – A High-Stakes Rematch

The co-main event saw a thrilling rematch between lightweight contenders Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev. Their first encounter at UFC 286 in March 2023 was a Fight of the Night performance, with Gaethje securing a majority decision victory. This time, both fighters aimed to leave no doubt.

An All-Out War

As expected, the rematch delivered fireworks. Gaethje, known for his relentless pressure and durability, engaged in a striking war with Fiziev. The first round saw Fiziev land clean combinations, utilizing his speed and accuracy to keep Gaethje at bay.

However, Gaethje turned up the pressure in rounds two and three, landing brutal leg kicks and powerful overhand rights. His ability to absorb damage and keep moving forward ultimately swayed the judges.

Final Verdict

Gaethje secured another unanimous decision victory (29-28 x3), proving once again why he remains one of the most dangerous lightweights in the UFC.

Other Main Card Results and Highlights

Ignacio Bahamondes Submits Jalin Turner in Round 1

In a stunning performance, Ignacio Bahamondes secured a first-round submission victory over Jalin Turner. Despite Turner’s size and reach advantage, Bahamondes executed a flawless triangle choke at 2:29 of the opening round. The win marked a significant moment in his career as he continues climbing the lightweight rankings.

Amanda Lemos Outpoints Iasmin Lucindo in a Strawweight Battle

Amanda Lemos and Iasmin Lucindo delivered a technical battle in the women’s strawweight division. Lemos controlled the pace with sharp striking and efficient movement, leading to a unanimous decision victory (29-28 x3).

Mauricio Ruffy Scores a Devastating First-Round TKO Over King Green

One of the night’s most explosive finishes came in the lightweight division, where Mauricio Ruffy dismantled King Green with a first-round TKO at 2:07. A spinning kick followed by vicious ground-and-pound secured Ruffy a highlight-reel victory.

Preliminary Card Recap

Joshua Van Dominates Rei Tsuruya in a Unanimous Decision Victory

Flyweight prospect Joshua Van showcased his well-rounded skills against Rei Tsuruya, earning a unanimous decision win (30-27 x3). Van’s superior striking and defensive grappling were key factors in his victory.

Brunno Ferreira Submits Armen Petrosyan with a Second-Round Armbar

Brunno Ferreira put on an impressive grappling display, locking in an armbar at 4:27 of the second round to defeat Armen Petrosyan. The fight took a controversial turn when Petrosyan was deducted a point for multiple groin strikes in the first round.

Carlos Leal Finishes Alex Morono via First-Round TKO

Welterweight standout Carlos Leal wasted no time in his fight against Alex Morono, securing a first-round TKO victory at 4:16. Leal’s aggressive striking proved too much for Morono, forcing the referee to step in.

Mairon Santos Edges Out Francis Marshall in a Split Decision

In a closely contested featherweight fight, Mairon Santos earned a split decision victory (29-28, 29-28, 27-30) against Francis Marshall. The back-and-forth battle showcased both fighters’ resilience and determination.

Ozzy Diaz Earns a Hard-Fought Unanimous Decision Win Over Djorden Santos

Middleweight fighter Ozzy Diaz secured a unanimous decision victory (29-28 x3) in a gritty battle against Djorden Santos. His superior striking and cage control helped him edge out a tough opponent.

Cancellations and Unexpected Changes

UFC 313 faced last-minute setbacks with the cancellation of two highly anticipated fights:

• Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev: Heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes was forced to withdraw due to a sudden illness. His opponent, Rizvan Kuniev, was left without a replacement, leading to the fight’s cancellation.

• Chris Gutierrez vs. John Castaneda: The bantamweight clash was also scrapped due to undisclosed medical issues.

These cancellations shortened the card but did not take away from the night’s overall excitement.

What’s Next for the Winners?

With UFC 313 in the books, here’s what the future could hold for the night’s biggest winners:

• Magomed Ankalaev: Now the light heavyweight champion, Ankalaev will likely face former champion Jamahal Hill in his first title defense. Hill has been eager to reclaim his spot atop the division after recovering from injury.

• Justin Gaethje: After defeating Fiziev again, Gaethje remains a top contender in the lightweight division. A title shot against reigning champion Islam Makhachev could be on the horizon.

• Ignacio Bahamondes: His submission victory over Turner puts him in line for a ranked opponent. A fight against a top-15 lightweight contender seems likely.

• Mauricio Ruffy: With his highlight-reel finish, Ruffy is a rising star to watch. A matchup against another surging lightweight would be an exciting next step.

Final Thoughts: UFC 313 Delivers Despite Challenges

Despite last-minute fight cancellations, UFC 313 proved to be a memorable event filled with thrilling fights and career-defining performances. Magomed Ankalaev’s dominant victory over Alex Pereira crowned a new light heavyweight champion, while Justin Gaethje’s win in the co-main event solidified his position as one of the lightweight division’s most dangerous fighters.

With the UFC continuing to deliver world-class MMA action, the results of UFC 313 set up intriguing future matchups. Fans can now look forward to what’s next in the ever-evolving landscape of mixed martial arts.

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