UFC 313 Showdown: Will Alex Pereira’s Power Overwhelm Magomed Ankalaev and Propel Him to Heavyweight?

This Saturday, March 8, 2025, the UFC Octagon will once again light up T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 313, a pay-per-view event that promises fireworks. Headlining the card, light heavyweight champion Alex “Poatan” Pereira puts his title on the line for the fourth time in a little over a year, facing off against the formidable Magomed Ankalaev. With Pereira’s meteoric rise and devastating knockout power, fans and analysts alike are buzzing about whether this fight could be the final stepping stone to a historic move to heavyweight. Meanwhile, the co-main event features an electrifying rematch between lightweight fan-favorite Justin Gaethje and striking savant Rafael Fiziev, setting the stage for an unforgettable night of mixed martial arts.

Pereira’s Path to Greatness

Alex Pereira has been nothing short of a phenomenon since stepping into the UFC. The Brazilian knockout artist, a former two-division Glory Kickboxing champion, has translated his elite striking into MMA stardom with terrifying efficiency. After capturing the middleweight title in 2022 and losing it to rival Israel Adesanya in 2023, Pereira moved up to light heavyweight, where he’s been untouchable. Since November 2023, he’s claimed the 205-pound belt and defended it three times in 2024, finishing Jiri Prochazka (twice), Jamahal Hill, and Khalil Rountree Jr. with a highlight reel of knockouts that have cemented his status as one of the sport’s biggest stars.

Now, at UFC 313, Pereira faces what many consider his toughest test yet. With a record of 12-2 in MMA (9-1 in the UFC), his 6-foot-4 frame and sledgehammer fists have made him a force of nature. But beyond the immediate challenge, whispers of a potential heavyweight run have grown louder. A win here could make Pereira the first UFC fighter to successfully defend a title four times in under 500 days, potentially paving the way for a shot at becoming the promotion’s first three-division champion—a feat that would etch his name alongside legends like Conor McGregor and Daniel Cormier.

For Pereira, UFC 313 is more than just another title defense—it’s a referendum on his legacy. A victory over Ankalaev would all but clear out the light heavyweight division, leaving little doubt that he’s conquered 205 pounds. The heavyweight division, home to interim champ Tom Aspinall and former titleholder Jon Jones, looms as the next frontier. At 37, Pereira’s window to make history is narrowing, but his power and physicality suggest he could thrive at 265 pounds. A knockout win on Saturday could prompt UFC President Dana White to greenlight that move, setting up a blockbuster clash that would captivate the MMA world.

But if Ankalaev emerges victorious, the narrative shifts. A new champion would reset the division, and Pereira’s heavyweight aspirations might take a backseat to a rematch or a reevaluation of his path. Ankalaev, at 32, could usher in a new era at light heavyweight, following in the footsteps of Dagestani greats by claiming UFC gold.