At UFC 313, the light heavyweight king, Alex Pereira, will defend his title against the strong Magomed Ankalaev. It promises to be an exciting night of mixed martial arts action. This big match will be the major event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night. The Octagon is sure to be full of high-octane drama.
In the co-main event, Justin Gaethje fights Rafael Fiziev in a repeat that everyone is looking forward to. There are also a lot of exciting fights on the show that will keep fight fans and bettors on the edge of their seats. Let’s look at the best fights at UFC 313 along with the odds, expert opinions, and more!
Main Event: Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev
Who is Alex Pereira?
Alex “Poatan” Pereira is the current UFC light heavyweight champion. He is famous for being able to kill people with his strikes. ESPN ranks Pereira as the No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter in the world. He has made a name for himself with stunning knockouts, like his TKO win over Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307.
How Pereira Can Win
- Range and Striking: Pereira needs to use his world-class kicking skills to control the distance.
- Leg Kicks: Jan Blachowicz showed that Ankalaev is weak against leg kicks, which Pereira can use to his advantage.
- Staying on the Ground: For Pereira to win, the fight has to stay on the ground. He might not be able to handle Ankalaev’s fighting if the fight goes to the mat.
Who is Magomed Ankalaev?
Ankalaev comes into UFC 313 having won all 13 of his fights since 2018. He is a real threat to Pereira’s rule because he has a lot of different skills.
How Ankalaev Can Win
- Wrestling and Cage Control: Ankalaev needs to push Pereira against the cage and try to take him down.
- Moving Between Strikes and Takedowns: Trading strikes while standing with Pereira is dangerous; Ankalaev needs to keep him guessing.
- Dominance on the Ground: Ankalaev has a big edge if he can control Pereira on the mat.
Cage Grappling on X-Factor
Ankalaev’s skill to close the gap and force his grappling could be the deciding factor. Pereira has the upper hand if they can keep the fight close to the mat. Ankalaev may win the belt if they make it a grind.
Prediction: Alex Pereira wins via Knockout (Round 3)
Co-Main Event: Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev
Stop the Breakdown
This repeat between Gaethje and Fiziev looks like it will be exciting. They had one fight before, and Gaethje won by majority vote. Now Fiziev wants to even things up.
The Way to Victory for Justin Gaethje
- Striking Volume: Gaethje needs to keep up his high-pressure hitting game.
- Durability: Gaethje is a dangerous opponent because he can take damage and keep moving forward.
- Wrestling Use: Gaethje has a background in wrestling, but he doesn’t use it very often. Adding takedowns to his moves might help him.
The Way to Win for Rafael Fiziev
- Technical Striking: Fiziev is the more accurate scorer, and he needs to take advantage of chances.
- Cardio Care: He needs to keep from tiring in the later rounds.
- Counterstriking: He can change the fight by landing shots that take advantage of Gaethje’s aggression.
Prediction: Rafael Fiziev wins via Decision
Expert Betting Picks for UFC 313
Best Bets for UFC 313
| Fight | Fighter to Win | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Pereira vs. Ankalaev | Pereira (KO/TKO) | -120 |
| Gaethje vs. Fiziev | Fiziev (Decision) | -170 |
| Turner vs. Bahamondes | Bahamondes | -125 |
| Ferreira vs. Petrosyan | Petrosyan | -155 |
Key Betting Insights
- Pereira’s KO power makes him a strong favorite, but Ankalaev’s wrestling could pose problems.
- Fiziev’s striking advantage could help him edge out Gaethje in a decision victory.
- Bahamondes and Petrosyan are well-rounded strikers with favorable matchups.
