Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

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

Alex Pattle
Combat Sports Editor
Monday 10 March 2025 12:48 GMT
Comments
‘Maybe in rematch he can fight for real and not run away’ – Ankalaev after dethroning Pereira

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.

UFC 313 LIVE: Justin Gaethje vs Rafael Fiziev 2

Round one

Both men stand orthodox. “U-S-A” is the chant. Gaethje kicks low and edges forward. Now Fiziev is southpaw. He’s switching a lot, actually.

Oh, early trip by Fiziev! Weird entry by Gaethje to allow that, but he is quickly back on his feet. Now Fiziev almost finishes a single-leg, but Gaethje scrambles well.

Strong knee from Fiziev as they stand. A slower spell now. Long rear uppercut lands for Gaethje. Fiziev licks low again; he hasn’t quite found his punching range.

Another decent knee in the clinch, though. And again. And another! Gaethje needs to get free. He does, and both men land punches after a body kick by Fiziev. He lands another.

Gaethje might have just tried a body-lock takedown, a rare bit of wrestling offence from him! But either way, it didn’t come off.

Fiziev is pawing at his right eye, it’s badly swollen. He eats a big right hand. Gaethje shoots for a takedown, is denied, but lands a cross. Now Fiziev with one of his own.

Hard round to score.

9 March 2025 04:53

UFC 313 LIVE: Justin Gaethje vs Rafael Fiziev 2

Fiziev is in the ring, now joined by Gaethje.

Azerbaijan’s Fiziev followed his loss to Gaethje with an injury-induced defeat by Mateusz Gamrot later in 2023.

Meanwhile, Gaethje went on to knock out Dustin Poirier – avenging an earlier loss to his fellow American – before suffering an iconic KO at the hands of Max Holloway last April.

Both of these men need a win here. They know that. Here, we, go!

Alex Pattle9 March 2025 04:42

UFC 313 LIVE: Justin Gaethje vs Rafael Fiziev 2

Tonight’s co-main event is up next!

It sees Justin Gaethje take on Rafael Fiziev in a lightweight rematch, as the latter replaces the injured Dan Hooker.

Fiziev was one of the first lightweights to offer his services as a replacement. He will fight Gaethje two years after losing a narrow decision to the American in London.

Gaethje to fight Fiziev after other UFC stars ‘said no’ in wake of Hooker injury

Hooker fractured his hand, leading Fiziev to step in for a rematch with Gaethje
9 March 2025 04:35

UFC 313 LIVE: Jalin Turner vs Ignacio Bahamondes

Round one

These two get at it right away! Turner is usually taller than his opponents, but Bahamondes is a similar height.

Bahamondes with a sloppy entry, a semi-takedown by accident, and Turner lands in half-guard. Now closed guard.

Both men land elbows – Turner from above, Bahamondes from below! Bahaomndes now throws up a triangle choke...

And Turner taps! Oh, it’s over, just like that!

Ignacio Bahamondes def. Jalin Turner via first-round submission (triangle choke, 2:29)

Bahamondes says in his post-fight interview that he “knew” he’d submit Turner in round one. “I had a weird dream. They were the same shorts, so I guess it was him!”

Meanwhile, Turner takes off his gloves. This looks like a retirement, from a relatively young fighter. A real shame.

Alex Pattle9 March 2025 04:25

UFC 313 LIVE: Jalin Turner vs Ignacio Bahamondes

Up to lightweight, where Jalin Turner faces Ignacio Bahamondes.

Bahamondes, one of just two Chilean fighters in UFC history, is seeking a third straight win.

The 27-year-old takes on a seven-year UFC veteran in Turner, who is actually still just 29.

The American is 1-3 in his last four bouts, although the first two of those losses were split decisions. Last time out, he was stopped by Renato Moicano.

9 March 2025 04:19

UFC 313 LIVE: Amanda Lemos vs Iasmin Lucindo

Round three

Final round. Lucindo’s corner reallllly tries to fire her up before it begins.

Under way, and Lucindo lands some knees in the clinch before securing a trip. She’s straight into half-guard. It seems she wants an arm-triangle choke eventually, but Lemos frames well to defend.

Lucindo passes into side control, however. Lemos has her toes in the fence, with both feet, but receives no warning from referee Keith Peterson.

She’s managing to limit Lucindo’s submission threat, as the clock runs down. Great work from Lemos to twist, escape and stand! Then she immediately takes down Lucindo!

We’ll go to the scorecards... and the judges get it right!

Amanda Lemos def. Iasmin Lucindo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Amanda Lemos (right) avoids a submission attempts by Iasmin Lucindo
Amanda Lemos (right) avoids a submission attempts by Iasmin Lucindo (Getty Images)
Alex Pattle9 March 2025 04:06

UFC 313 LIVE: Amanda Lemos vs Iasmin Lucindo

Round one

Lucindo holds Lemos against the fence in the early grappling exchanges, before Lemos lands a takedown!

Lemos ends up in Lucindo’s guard. Lemos appears hesitant to work, while Lucindo tries to create space for submissions from her back.

Some boos from the crowd after a relatively uneventful stretch of the round.

Slashing elbow from Lemos! That seems to have cut Lucindo under her right eye.

Round two

Between rounds, Lucindo’s corner calls for more action, after she landed zero significant strikes in round one.

She tries a spinning kick, as they suggested, but misses and eats a jab. Harsh low kick by Lemos now, too.

Lucindo gets back to her grappling, controlling Lemos against the fence, until the older Brazilian reverses the position. More boos.

Another elbow from Lemos, from a standing position this time. She trips Lucindo and eyes a guillotine choke... No luck, and she’s back in guard.

9 March 2025 03:59

UFC 313 LIVE: Amanda Lemos vs Iasmin Lucindo

An all-Brazilian affair now, as Amanda Lemos and Iasmin Lucindo meet in the women’s strawweight division.

Lucindo, 23, is the youngest female fighter on the UFC roster, and she’s riding a four-fight win streak.

Meanwhile, 37-year-old Lemos is a former title challenger, aiming to get back to winning ways.

Could this be a passing of the torch, though?

Alex Pattle9 March 2025 03:41

UFC 313 LIVE: King Green vs Mauricio Ruffy

Round one

Ruffy’s stance and movements resemble those of Conor McGregor – before the Irishman ventured into boxing and changed his style somewhat.

Anyhow, Ruffy stands orthodox, unlike McGregor. Green likes to switch stances.

Ruffy presses forward early, seemingly trying to elicit some strikes out of Green, who looks strangely hesitant.

Oh! A clean cross has Green falling back against the fence! Ruffy is not rushing, though...

OH, MY, WORD!!!! Ruffy waits, wait, waits... then lands a wheel kick, cracking the side of Green’s head and knocking him out cold!

Green faceplants. Some moments later, he’s awake, but his face is bloodied. Ruffy celebrates with some flips! KO of the year contender.

Mauricio Ruffy def. King Green via first-round KO (wheel kick, 2:07)

Mauricio Ruffy (left) stunned King Green with a straight punch
Mauricio Ruffy (left) stunned King Green with a straight punch (Getty Images)
Ruffy then knocked Green out cold with a wheel kick
Ruffy then knocked Green out cold with a wheel kick (Getty Images)
Ruffy celebrates in style
Ruffy celebrates in style (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
9 March 2025 03:25

UFC 313 LIVE: King Green vs Mauricio Ruffy

Okay then, we kick off the main card with King Green vs Mauricio Ruffy at lightweight.

American Green (who was Bobby until he changed his name to King last year) is a veteran, a sharp boxer – but he faces a tough challenge here.

Ruffy is part of The Fighting Nerds, a Brazilian gym that has been on fire over the last year. The 28-year-old is seeking a seventh straight win.

Meanwhile, 38-year-old Green – in his 51st pro fight – is aiming to bounce back from a submission loss to Paddy Pimblett.

Alex Pattle9 March 2025 03:19

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in