The much-anticipated UFC 313 event unfolded on March 8, 2025, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, bringing together some of the most skilled fighters as fans waited eagerly for the action to commence.
At the forefront was the light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira, defending his title against the formidable Magomed Ankalaev. The stakes were high as Pereira, sporting a record of 12-2, faced off against Ankalaev, who had only one loss to his name with 20 victories and one no contest on his record. The matchup was touted as one of the toughest tests of Pereira’s career, and the fight night buzz echoed through the arena.
The co-main event featured Justin Gaethje, renowned for his explosive fighting style, squaring off against Rafael Fiziev. This fight, held two years after their first encounter, promised to be explosive once again. The audience could hardly contain their excitement as Gaethje entered the Octagon where he had previously secured victory at UFC 286. Both fighters had their eyes set on making this rematch even more thrilling.
UFC 313 kicked off at approximately 10 p.m. ET, and fans across the globe tuned in to witness the showdown. Fans made sure to prepare for the night—getting out drinks and preparing snacks for what promised to be thrilling bouts. The first bout of the night started earlier due to the cancellation of two previously scheduled fights, creating heightened anticipation.
During the event, Pereira and Ankalaev set the stage for their championship fight. Early rounds showcased both fighters being cautious, exchanging calf kicks to test each other’s defenses. Pereira established his powerful leg kicks, which had been incredibly effective against his prior opponents, but Ankalaev remained undeterred, throwing front kicks and attempting to find openings. The first round was marked by mutual respect and careful movement, each fighter gauging the other’s strength.
Meanwhile, Justin Gaethje showed why he is considered one of the toughest fighters out there. The first round against Fiziev was relentless, with both fighters trading heavy blows. Though Fiziev executed solid body kicks and displayed great agility, Gaethje responded with punishing uppercuts and relentless pressure. The first round was characterized by action, with fans chanting for Gaethje.
By the close of the second round, Gaethje and Fiziev left no stone unturned, delivering powerful strikes. Fans were on edge as Gaethje dropped Fiziev with another vicious strike, showing no compassion as the two warriors battled on. The final round saw both fighters exchange strong shots, but when the judges scored the bout, they favored Gaethje via unanimous decision with all three judges scoring the fight 29-28.
The atmosphere of the event reached new heights when Ignacio Bahamondes faced Jalin Turner, where Bahamondes clinched victory by submission early on. Using his long limbs to his advantage, Bahamondes controlled the fight, catching Turner with a triangle submission hold. Turner, visibly upset, left his gloves inside the Octagon signaling his intention to retire, leaving fans shocked about his future intentions.
The drive around the rest of the main card continued with Amanda Lemos and Iasmin Lucindo going toe-to-toe, with Lemos maintaining control throughout, winning by unanimous decision with scores showing her dominance all three rounds.
Another highlight was Mauricio Ruffy’s fight with King Green, who suffered devastating defeat. Ruffy astonished the crowd by knocking Green out cold with a stunning spinning wheel kick, marking one of the most visually impactful knockouts of the event.
Joshua Van kept the energy alive as he showcased his improved skills against Rei Tsuruya, winning decisively by unanimous decision as well, securing all judges’ votes of 30-27. Fans were left raving about the promising matchups brought to life during the night.
Overall, UFC 313 was filled with intense moments, remarkable performances, and shocking outcomes. Veteran fighters stepped up, showcasing skills honed over years of competition. For Pereira, the heavyweight challenge looms—a chance to ascend beyond his current weight class if he continues to secure victories. Whether he can hold onto his title or if Ankalaev’s rise paves the way for new leanings within the division will draw attention as the UFC moves forward. UFC enthusiasts are already buzzing eagerly for the continuation of this gripping saga and the future possibilities awaiting the night’s champions.