Oct 5, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) reacts after defeating Khalil Rountree Jr. (not pictured) in a light heavyweight title bout during UFC 307 at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

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UFC 313: Alex Pereira Returns For His Biggest Test, Former BMF Champion To Make Comeback After Buzzer Beater KO!

Get to know the March 8 2025 UFC 313 fight card's main and co-main events that were revealed during UFC 311!

UFC never stops delivering exciting matchups, and the latest announcement has fight fans buzzing. During the UFC 311 broadcast, fans got the news that UFC 313 is shaping up to be another blockbuster event.

The March 8 card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas will feature two mouth-watering clashes that have the MMA community already marking their calendars. Let’s dive into what makes these matchups so special and why they could deliver some unforgettable moments in the octagon.

Also Read: MMA Analyst Trashes Alex Pereira’s Championship Chances In DC-Jones Era!

UFC 313 Main Event: ‘Poatan’ Returns!

In the main event, fans will get to see the phenomenal Alex Pereira putting his light heavyweight title on the line against Magomed Ankalaev. Finally! Pereira’s story is nothing short of remarkable. This former middleweight has been crushing it at 205 pounds, building an impressive streak of title defenses against top-tier opponents.

The Brazilian striker has been on an absolute tear, knocking out Jamahal Hill, beating Jiri Prochazka twice, and most recently disposing of Khalil Rountree. At 37, he’s showing no signs of slowing down.

BOTH of these fights are 5 Rounds 👀 #UFC313 https://t.co/efR73VhCiI
— UFC (@ufc) January 19, 2025

His opponent, the 32-year-old Ankalaev, brings his own impressive credentials to the table. The Russian fighter hasn’t lost since 2018 and is fresh off victories over Johnny Walker and Aleksandar Rakic in 2024. Some might remember his previous shot at UFC gold ending in a draw against Jan Blachowicz back in December 2022, but fans can bet he is hungry to make the most of this second chance.

UFC 313 Co-Main Event: The Return Of ‘The Highlight’

The co-main event is giving fans what could be an absolute barnburner between Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker in the lightweight division, and it is 5 rounds as well! Gaethje, known for his “kill or be killed” style, is looking to bounce back after that brutal knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300. The man dubbed “The Highlight” never fails to live up to his nickname, win or lose.

And speaking of highlights, Dan Hooker has been writing quite the comeback story lately. The tough-as-nails Kiwi has strung together three wins in a row, including an impressive victory over Mateusz Gamrot. This matchup has “Fight of the Night” written all over it, and someone is definitely going to sleep.

Also Read: This family member never watch Islam Makhachev’s fights!

Both fighters are eyeing that lightweight title picture, and a win here would keep them in the conversation. The best part is that these are two guys who couldn’t put on a boring fight if they tried!

The T-Mobile Arena has seen its fair share of memorable fights, but March 8 might just add another chapter to its storied history. One thing is for sure. Whether you’re a casual fan or a hardcore follower of the sport, UFC 313 is looking like one of those cards you won’t want to miss!

(Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – Imagn Images)

Alex Pereira

Dan Hooker

Justin Gaethje

Magomed Ankalaev

UFC 313

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!