UFC 313 Recap: Ankalaev Dethrones Pereira, Gaethje Wins Rematch, and Ruffy Shines
UFC 313: Pereira vs. Ankalaev took place on March 8, 2025, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event featured a series of compelling matchups, culminating in a light heavyweight title bout.
Main Event: Ankalaev Captures Light Heavyweight Title
In the main event, Magomed Ankalaev secured a unanimous decision victory over reigning champion Alex Pereira to claim the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Despite Pereira’s effective calf kicks and successful defense against all 12 of Ankalaev’s takedown attempts, the judges scored the bout 49-46, 48-47, and 48-47 in favor of Ankalaev, citing his dominance in the clinch and significant strikes.
Co-Main Event: Gaethje Triumphs in Rematch Against Fiziev
The co-main event saw Justin Gaethje earn a unanimous decision win over Rafael Fiziev in their lightweight rematch. Gaethje, rebounding from a previous knockout loss, showcased resilience and tactical prowess, landing a pivotal uppercut knockdown in the second round. All three judges scored the fight 29-28 in Gaethje’s favor, marking his second victory over Fiziev.
Notable Performances
- Maurício Ruffy delivered a standout performance, knocking out veteran Bobby Green with a spinning wheel kick in the first round. This victory not only highlighted Ruffy’s striking capabilities but also positioned him as a rising star in the lightweight division.
- Ignacio Bahamondes showcased his grappling skills by submitting Jalin Turner via triangle choke in the first round, addressing previous critiques of his ground game.
Bonus Awards
The UFC awarded $50,000 bonuses for exceptional performances:
- Fight of the Night: Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev
- Performance of the Night: Ignacio Bahamondes and Maurício Ruffy
Complete Results
| Weight Class | Winner | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light Heavyweight | Magomed Ankalaev | Decision (unanimous) (49–46, 48–47, 48–47) | 5 | 5:00 |
| Lightweight | Justin Gaethje | Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Lightweight | Ignacio Bahamondes | Submission (triangle choke) | 1 | 2:29 |
| Strawweight | Amanda Lemos | Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Lightweight | Maurício Ruffy | KO (spinning wheel kick) | 1 | 2:07 |
| Flyweight | Joshua Van | Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Middleweight | Brunno Ferreira | Submission (triangle armbar) | 2 | 4:27 |
| Welterweight | Carlos Leal | TKO (punches) | 1 | 4:16 |
| Featherweight | Mairon Santos | Decision (split) (27–30, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Middleweight | Ozzy Diaz | Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 |
UFC 313 delivered a night of thrilling fights and memorable performances, further shaping the landscape of multiple divisions.
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.
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