Ankalaev’s Fierce \Redemption: 5 Key Factors in His Title Pursuit Against Pereira

Ankalaev vs. Pereira: A High-Stakes Main Event at UFC 313

The UFC’s most active champion, Magomed Ankalaev, is set to make his first Octagon appearance of 2025 against Alex Pereira in the main event at UFC 313 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Pereira has beaten his last four opponents by knockout, most recently scoring a fourth-round TKO over Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307. Magomed enters the fight riding a 13-fight unbeaten streak dating back to September 2018. In the co-main event, fan favorite Justin Gaethje takes on Rafael Fiziev in a rematch of their March 2023 fight, which Gaethje won by majority decision.

Fiziev took this fight on short notice, after Gaethje’s original opponent, Dan Hooker, was forced to withdraw due to injury on Feb. 25. MMA analyst and former UFC welterweight Alan Jouban has given his perspective on the UFC main event. Pereira must use his range and educated striking to find damaging shots, like he did against Rountree. The key will be leg kicks, as Jan Blachowicz damaged Ankalaev’s legs on both sides, and Blachowicz is not nearly as slick setting up those kicks as Pereira is. Despite being a skilled wrestler, he has often failed to commit to wrestling, opting to stand and trade, which will put him right in line for Pereira’s leg kicks.

Strategy: Avoid Kickboxing, Dominate with Grappling and The X-Factor: Cage Grappling Could Decide the Fight

If that happens, Ankalaev will be compromised by Round 3, if the fight lasts that long. However, he must avoid kickboxing with Pereira in the center of the Octagon for 25 minutes. He must mix things up early in the fight and put Pereira against the fence. No one wants to do that against Pereira because of the chance of getting caught with a big shot while coming in, but if he can avoid Pereira’s power, he could put Pereira against the fence and make him work. Eventually, he will have to use single-leg takedowns to get Pereira on the mat.

ALSO READ: NHL Trade Deadline Moves: 5 Bold Decisions That Shaped the NHL’s Future

The X factor is cage grappling. It will be up to Ankalaev to close the distance and put Pereira against the fence. If he is successful, he has a chance to win. If not, he will be in a lot of trouble. More than two years on from his first UFC title opportunity, Magomed returns to T-Mobile Arena to challenge for the light heavyweight title once again. He plans to make sure he finishes the job. With nine consecutive wins across four years, he has surged into title contention in the 205-pound division, earning a shot at the vacant light heavyweight title at UFC 282 in December 2022.

Dagestani Wrestling: Key Weapon Against Pereira

Ankalaev’s confidence has evolved since the heartbreaking draw with Jan Blachowicz two years ago, but he is now ready to channel all his energy into his latest title chance this weekend. He believes that his Dagestani wrestling could play a major factor in this bout, but he also emphasizes that wrestling won’t be his sole weapon when he faces Pereira. Hardened by the disappointment of his last title fight in Las Vegas and buoyed by the knowledge that he’s an even better fighter today than he was the last time he competed for the belt, he is ready to take that final step to the light heavyweight summit.