Firas Zahabi Analyzes Alex Pereira’s Hesitation Against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313: A 3-2 Loss at Best?

Firas Zahabi, the renowned coach behind some of MMA’s biggest names, has a bold take on Magomed Ankalaev’s victory over Alex Pereira at UFC 313 this past Saturday. In the main event showdown, Ankalaev walked away with a unanimous decision, snagging the light heavyweight title from Pereira and handing the Brazilian his first loss in the division. While the scorecards sparked some debate among fans, Zahabi—who’s seen his fair share of fights as the mastermind of Tristar Gym—didn’t hesitate to call it for Ankalaev, crediting the new champ with winning a crucial mental edge.

Breaking down the fight round by round, Zahabi gave props to Pereira’s early dominance but saw the tide turn as Ankalaev found his groove. “Round 1, Pereira did incredible,” Zahabi said on his YouTube channel. “He was very dominant. It looked like Pereira was going to kick Ankalaev’s leg out. Ankalaev was in the southpaw position. The kicks weren’t as powerful, but Pereira is so experienced, it doesn’t make a difference. However, the low kicks are not as powerful because he’s not kicking with his power side. Still, the kicks were accumulating. Round 1 goes to Pereira.

“Round 2, Ankalaev hurts Pereira, stuns him, puts on the pressure. His corner was egging him on to put pressure and he did. Round 3, not a very super active round for either fighter, but Ankalaev kind of edged it out. I think most people gave Round 3 to Ankalaev. What can I say, Rounds 4 and 5 even for Ankalaev. I know a lot of people say Round 3 was for Pereira, OK, give him Round 3, he still loses 3-2 at best. At best, Pereira loses 3-2.”

Zahabi’s analysis goes beyond the physical blows landed. With a coaching resume that includes guiding UFC legend Georges St-Pierre to Hall of Fame glory, he knows a thing or two about what makes a fighter tick. For him, Ankalaev’s win wasn’t just about technique—it was a masterclass in mental warfare that left Pereira second-guessing himself. The fight might not have been a barnburner, but Zahabi found plenty to admire in how Ankalaev took control.

“It wasn’t the most exciting fight, but here’s what’s amazing: Ankalaev out-struck him the whole fight,” Zahabi said. “The whole fight was standing, and Ankalaev wins. If you put these two in a kickboxing match, I think all of us would agree that Pereira wins. Why is it that he can out-strike him in an MMA match? Well, Pereira wasn’t throwing, even though his corner was begging him to throw between rounds. …

“Pereira was hesitant. After Round 1, he was hesitant. He got stunned in Round 1 and ever since he got stunned, he was hesitant. Now, I have my idea why I think he was hesitant. One, he was worried about the takedown. He didn’t want to get taken down. It was on his mind when he got stunned. Now he’s worried about the striking and the takedowns. It was too much. He had to think twice before he throws, and he was like paralysis by analysis. He was trying to predict what Ankalaev was going to do. Ankalaev was more unpredictable than Pereira.”

Pereira, a kickboxing phenom with devastating power, seemed poised to dominate on the feet, yet Ankalaev flipped the script. Zahabi’s take highlights how the threat of grappling loomed large in Pereira’s mind, throwing off his rhythm and letting Ankalaev dictate the pace. It’s a testament to the Dagestani fighter’s ability to adapt and unsettle even the most seasoned strikers, and Zahabi’s breakdown paints a picture of a champion who won not just with his fists, but with his unpredictability. For a coach of Zahabi’s caliber to sing Ankalaev’s praises, it’s clear UFC 313 crowned a new king with more than just physical prowess.