Written by Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Follow the UFC 313 live blog for Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev, the light heavyweight title main event Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Pereira is currently No. 2 in the MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound Rankings.
It was a banner year for Pereira (12-2) as he headlined three UFC pay-per-views and defended the light heavyweight title in exciting fashion each time. “Poatan” is 5-0 since moving up from middleweight—where he previously won that division’s title—and has knocked out all of his championship opposition, including Khalil Rountree Jr., Jiri Prochazka, and Jamahal Hill. A win against Ankalaev not only strengthens his pound-for-pound case, it could open the door for him to chase a third title at heavyweight against either Jon Jones or interim champion Tom Aspinall.
Ankalaev (11-1-1, 1 NC) has not lost since his UFC debut in March 2018. Outside of that last-second tap-out to Paul Craig in a bout Ankalaev was dominating, he is undefeated in 13 straight contests. That includes a majority draw against Jan Blachowicz in his first attempt to claim a vacant light heavyweight title at UFC 282. Now, Ankalaev gets a second chance to become champion, beat Pereira, and turn the pound-for-pound list on its head.
Check out the UFC 313 live blog for Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev below.
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