UFC 313 LIVE: Alex Pereira drops title to Magomed Ankalaev after five rounds – results and reaction
Follow the fallout after Alex Pereira lost his light-heavyweight title via decision
Magomed Ankalaev took the UFC light-heavyweight title from Alex Pereira on Saturday, ending the fan favourite’s reign with a unanimous-decision win.
Ankalaev won 49-46, 48-47, 48-47 on the judges’ scorecards, as the Russian controlled Pereira in the grappling exchanges and even outstruck the kickboxing icon at UFC 313.
Ankalaev, 32, actually failed with all 12 of his takedowns, which will shock those familiar with the general wrestling abilities of Dagestani fighters. However, he held Pereira against the fence for spells of the main-event bout, while proving sharper than the Brazilian in the striking exchanges.
Pereira, an enigmatic knockout artist, just could not get going at the T-Mobile Arena, with Indy Sport scoring the fight comfortably in Ankalaev’s favour. Ankalev’s victory marked the end of an impressive reign for Pereira, 37, who won the belt in late 2023 and recorded three successful title defences in 2024 – all by TKO.
Re-live the UFC 313 main card and prelims live, below.
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UFC 313 LIVE: Alex Pereira loses title to Magomed Ankalaev
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UFC 313 LIVE: Alex Pereira loses title to Magomed Ankalaev
Your new UFC light-heavyweight champion.
UFC 313 LIVE: Alex Pereira loses title to Magomed Ankalaev
A deflated Alex Pereira...
UFC 313 LIVE: Alex Pereira loses title to Magomed Ankalaev
That was close enough on the judges’ scorecards, and in the eyes of the fans (though not our eyes!) that an instant rematch could be granted.
Also, Pereira had three successful defences, winning them all via stoppage, before UFC 313.
If he wants another go at Ankalaev, he should get it.
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