The highly anticipated light heavyweight title fight between champion Alex Pereira and top contender Magomed Ankalaev headlined UFC 313 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. After weeks of buildup and heated exchanges, they finally settled their rivalry inside the Octagon.
Pereira had claimed the vacant title at UFC 295 in November 2023 by knocking out Jiri Prochazka and went on to defend it successfully three times, finishing each opponent. Meanwhile, Ankalaev, recognized for his well-rounded skill set, aimed to dethrone Pereira and capture UFC gold.
Right from the opening bell, Pereira dictated the pace, landing effective low kicks while fending off Ankalaev’s takedown attempts. In the second round, Ankalaev adapted by switching stances to protect his lead leg and connecting with powerful punches. A late combination stunned Pereira, shifting the momentum in Ankalaev’s favor.
Gaining confidence, Ankalaev pressed forward in the third round, using jabs and body kicks while Pereira countered and relied on movement. By the fourth round, Ankalaev dominated the clinch, controlling Pereira against the cage despite the crowd’s disapproval.
The final round remained competitive. Pereira landed a heavy head kick, but Ankalaev stayed composed, controlling the grappling exchanges and limiting Pereira’s offense. When the judges announced the scorecards, Ankalaev secured a unanimous decision victory (49-46, 48-47, 48-47), officially claiming the light heavyweight championship.
Magomed Ankalaev’s Projected Payout
Ankalaev is set to receive the biggest payday of his career following his victory. In his previous win over Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308, he took home a base salary of $200,000, matched by a win bonus, bringing his total disclosed earnings to $411,000, including an $11,000 Promotional Guidelines Compliance bonus. Estimates suggest he could earn around $750,000 for UFC 313, depending on his contract terms and potential bonuses.
Alex Pereira’s Projected Payout
Despite his loss, Pereira’s star power continues to rise. In his last fight at UFC 307 against Khalil Rountree Jr., he reportedly earned approximately $2.7 million, which included pay-per-view shares and a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus. Given the scale of UFC 313, projections indicate his earnings could fall between $3 million and $3.5 million.
UFC 313 Full Card, Results
Magomed Ankalaev def. Alex Pereira (c) via unanimous decision
Justin Gaethje def. Rafael Fiziev via unanimous decision
Ignacio Bahamondes def. Jalin Turner via first-round submission
Amanda Lemos def. Iasmin Lucindo via unanimous decision
Mauricio Ruffy def. King Green via first-round knockout
Joshua Van def. Rei Tsuruya via unanimous decision
Brunno Ferreira def. Armen Petrosyan via second-round submission
Carlos Leal def. Alex Morono via first-round knockout
Mairon Santos def. Francis Marshall via split decision
Ozzy Diaz def. Djorden Santos via unanimous decision
READ MORE: UFC 313 Purse and Salaries: How Much Did Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev Earn for Their Fight?
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