UFC 313: Pereira Vs. Ankalaev, Full Card, Date and Start Time

UFC 313 is set to take place on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card will commence at 10:00 PM Eastern Time (ET), with preliminary bouts starting earlier in the evening. Fans can catch the main card live on ESPN+ Pay-Per-View.

Full Fight Card

Main Card (10:00 PM ET on ESPN+ PPV):

• Light Heavyweight Championship Bout: Alex Pereira (Champion) vs. Magomed Ankalaev
• Lightweight Bout: Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev
• Lightweight Bout: Jalin Turner vs. Ignacio Bahamondes
• Women's Strawweight Bout: Amanda Lemos vs. Iasmin Lucindo
• Lightweight Bout: King Green vs. Maurício Ruffy

Preliminary Card (8:00 PM ET on ESPN/ESPN+):

• Heavyweight Bout: Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev
• Flyweight Bout: Joshua Van vs. Rei Tsuruya
• Middleweight Bout: Brunno Ferreira vs. Armen Petrosyan
• Welterweight Bout: Alex Morono vs. Carlos Leal

Early Preliminary Card (6:30 PM ET on ESPN+):

• Featherweight Bout: Mairon Santos vs. Francis Marshall
• Featherweight Bout: Chris Gutierrez vs. John Castañeda
• Middleweight Bout: Djorden Santos vs. Ozzy Diaz

Main Event and Co-Main Event Breakdown

In the main event, reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira will defend his title against the formidable Magomed Ankalaev. Pereira, a former two-division Glory Kickboxing champion and ex-UFC Middleweight Champion, has been on an impressive run since moving up to the light heavyweight division. He captured the 205-pound title in November 2023 and has successfully defended it three times.

Ankalaev, on the other hand, brings a well-rounded skill set to the octagon, combining striking proficiency with combat Sambo expertise. He enters this bout unbeaten in his last 13 fights, making him a significant threat to Pereira's reign.

Former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker has emphasized the importance of Ankalaev utilizing his wrestling to neutralize Pereira's striking, suggesting that engaging in a stand-up battle could be perilous.

This championship clash promises to be a strategic battle between Pereira's striking dominance and Ankalaev's adaptability.

The co-main event features an electrifying lightweight rematch between former interim UFC Lightweight Champion Justin Gaethje and striking specialist Rafael Fiziev. Their first encounter at UFC 286 in March 2023 was a thrilling contest, with Gaethje edging out a majority decision.

Gaethje, renowned for his fan-friendly fighting style and resilience, aims to reaffirm his position among the lightweight elite with a second victory over Fiziev.

Fiziev, returning from a 17-month hiatus after a gnarly knee injury, is determined to avenge his previous loss and showcase his striking evolution. Initially slated to face Dan Hooker, Gaethje now faces Fiziev due to Hooker's injury-related withdrawal.

This rematch is highly anticipated, as both fighters are known for their striking acumen and showmanship. Fans can expect a dynamic and potentially explosive fight that could have significant implications for the lightweight division.

This entire fight card lineup promises an action-packed evening, featuring a mix of seasoned veterans and rising prospects across various weight classes. Fight fans have been eagerly awaiting these matchups, anticipating memorable performances and potential title implications.