This weekend, the UFC 313 main event promises to be a thrilling encounter as Alex Pereira, the current UFC light heavyweight champion, faces Magomed Ankalaev. This matchup is poised to be one of the toughest challenges of Pereira's MMA career. Ankalaev heads into the fight riding a remarkable 13-fight unbeaten streak, presenting a formidable puzzle for Pereira to solve inside the Octagon.
Despite the challenge that Ankalaev presents, Pereira enters UFC 313 with significant momentum, having successfully defended his title three times in 2024. A win this weekend would make Pereira the fastest light heavyweight champion to defend his title four times, achieving this feat in just 329 days and surpassing the legendary Jon Jones.
Israel Adesanya, Pereira’s two-time UFC rival, has offered an in-depth analysis of the upcoming fight. Having competed against Pereira in the past, Adesanya is arguably more familiar with Pereira’s skill set and fighting style than anyone else in the UFC. His insights carry considerable weight, especially as he predicts how the main event will unfold.
In a recent video on his FREESTYLEBENDER YouTube channel, Adesanya shared his expectations for the bout. He emphasized the importance of leg kicks in this fight, stating, “Leg kicks, let’s just address the elephant in the room. That’s going to be a factor in this fight.” Adesanya believes that Ankalaev may have to rely on his wrestling abilities to counter Pereira’s striking.
Adesanya expressed confidence in Pereira’s chances, noting, “I think ego is a part of it where he’s saying what he wants to say to get the fight. Ankalaev is going to try to take him down…can he keep him down? Pereira is a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu now; he keeps getting better.” He predicts that Pereira’s leg kicks will force Ankalaev to wrestle, ultimately leading to a victory for the champion.
“I’m going to go Pereira because of momentum. He’s just on a tear right now, and I like the way he’s able to do it with the amount of travel he does… But I think he’s going to go leg kicks, leg kicks, leg kicks, left hook. Alex Pereira by KO…he’s going to knock him out in the fourth or fifth round,” Adesanya concluded.
As UFC 313 approaches, some have raised questions regarding Pereira’s preparation. UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier expressed concerns about Pereira’s extensive travel schedule leading up to the fight. Pereira has been busy, including cornering former middleweight titleholder Sean Strickland at UFC 312 in Australia, which has led to speculation about how this might affect his performance against a rising contender like Ankalaev.
In response to Cormier's concerns, Pereira reassured him via Instagram, stating, “Don’t worry, we’re over here working,” alongside a clip from his training camp. However, not everyone is confident in Pereira’s chances; Jamahal Hill, another former rival, believes that Ankalaev could potentially knock out Pereira if he capitalizes on counter opportunities during the bout.
As Pereira prepares for what could be the most challenging fight of his MMA career, he has the support of Adesanya, who expects him to retain the light heavyweight title at UFC 313. The stakes are high, and fans are eagerly awaiting this intense showdown that promises to deliver excitement and drama inside the Octagon.
