Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev 3/8/25 – With UFC 313 fast approaching, the buzz is already heightening around the Light Heavyweight Title Bout featuring Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev. Both fighters have great records going into the octagon with Pereira standing at 12-2-0 while Ankalaev has a record of 20-1-1 with a single no contest. This fight is scheduled to take place on March 8, 2025, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and it has already created a stir within the UFC community along with bettors.
Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev 3/8/25
| When: | Saturday, March 8, 2025 | Time: 10:00 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Stream: | UFC Fight Pass |
Ankalaev is slightly favored to win at -115 over Pereira who is at -105, indicating a close fight. Both odds imply the fight is nearly even which could stem from both fighters having a reputable history and record. Before placing their bets, punters should take into account the fighters’ strengths, their most recent bouts, and their respective fighting styles.
Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev 3/8/25 Odds
| Fighter | Odds | Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Pereira | -105 | Magomed Ankalaev | -115 |
Main Card
Alex Pereira
Also known as “Poatan,” Alex Pereira is an exceptional striker in the UFC and has earned an astonishing 5.46 significant strikes per minute with a 63% accuracy. With a height of 6’4” and a wingspan of 79”, Pereira has excellent reach which enables him to outstrike his opponents while simultaneously keeping them at bay. While his style is predominantly striking, he is impressive in terms of grappling too with a 70% takedown defense. That combined with his striking prowess proves he is capable of winning a fight anywhere. His last fight against Rountree Jr. showed the world just how powerful and precise he is and he proved yet again that he is one of the top contenders in the light heavyweight division.
Magomed Ankalaev
On the flipside, Magomed Ankalaev has a strategy, a heavy-fighting style. His record of 20-1-1 no contest is impressive, and his strategy tends to include a blend of striking and grappling, where he fights at 3.64 significant strikes per minute with 52% accuracy. Tactics speak for themself, and he also absorbs fewer strikes than Pereira which solidifies his defense. Ankalaev, who is 6’3” and just shorter than Pereira, has a shorter reach of 75 inches, but makes up for it with his grappling skills, earning 0.92 takedowns per 15 minutes and an impressive 86% takedown defense. His win over Rakic shows his ability to maintain control over opponents and deal with the heavy later part of the round fights.
Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev 3/8/25 Betting Numbers
| Record | 12-2-0 | 20-1-1 (1 NC) |
| Last Fight | Win | Win |
| Country | Brazil | Russia |
| Height | 6′ 4″ | 6′ 3″ |
| Weight (lbs) | 205 | 205 |
| Reach (in) | 79″ | 75″ |
| Win by KO/TKO | 83% | 53% |
| Win by Submission | 0% | 0% |
| Decisions | 17% | 47% |
| Strikes landed per minute | 5.46 | 3.64 |
| Striking accuracy | 63% | 52% |
| Striking absorbed per minute | 3.44 | 2.37 |
| Striking defense | 55% | 58% |
| Takedown average | 0.14 | 0.92 |
| Takedown accuracy | 100% | 31% |
| Takedown defense | 70% | 86% |
| Submission average | 0.3 | 0.0 |
Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev Summary
This championship fight promises to be an intense gamble, akin to a game of chess. In this particular case, due to Pereira’s striking and reach, he will most likely try to keep the fight standing up and outmaneuver Ankalaev. On the other hand, Ankalaev could achieve victory if he blended his striking with trying to bring down Pereira and take advantage of any deficiencies in his grappling defense. Because of the even betting line and the skill level of each fighter, this fight appears like it could be decided by one incredible finish or error.
With the context considered, my rough estimate suggests a preference towards Magomed Ankalaev’s name being more appealing at the moment. Ankalaev is a multifaceted fighter capable of implementing a striking-heavy approach alongside solid grappling, which makes him well suited to countering Pereira’s game plan. Still, with incredible knockout power, Ankalaev has to be careful if he wants to walk out of the championship fight with the belt. Come fight night, those placing bets should keep an eye on the lines since they may change, indicating new information, public tendencies, or other influences that could affect the fight’s outcome.
