Magomed Ankalaev captured the UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 313 on March 8, 2025, securing a unanimous decision win over Alex Pereira at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The judges scored it 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46, ending Pereira’s reign after three title defenses in 2024. While fans anticipated Pereira’s signature knockout power, Ankalaev’s relentless pressure dictated the fight, leading to a heated post-fight exchange. At the press conference, the newly crowned champion didn’t hold back, criticizing Pereira’s approach and calling for a rematch.
Pereira entered the fight with a reputation built on knockouts, having finished Jiri Prochazka, Jamahal Hill, and Khalil Rountree Jr. the previous year. Ankalaev, unbeaten in 13 straight fights since his 2018 UFC debut loss, turned the tide with a second-round left hook that wobbled Pereira, followed by dominant cage control. Though he went 0-for-12 on takedowns, Ankalaev controlled the pace, landing 102 strikes to Pereira’s 108, including 48 leg kicks. While the crowd craved chaos, Ankalaev’s methodical style secured the victory, improving his record to 20-1-1 as Pereira dropped to 12-3.
Ankalaev’s Sharp Rebuke
Ankalaev wasted no time at the presser.
“It was very different from what we envisioned because, as you know, usually Pereira hunts for the finish. He moves forward, he tries to hunt down his opponents for the finish,” he said through a translator, setting up his critique.
“I kept on moving forward, I kept pressuring him and he kept on running away from me. For 20 minutes this guy was running away from me,” he fired, painting Pereira as evasive. He scoffed at Pereira’s confusion over the decision.
“Then I heard at the end of the fight he was saying that he wasn’t sure why the victory was given me. Who’s supposed to be given the victory? I’ve been pressuring him the entire time, he was running for 20 minutes, and then he’s wondering who’s supposed to get the victory?” Ankalaev snapped, cementing his case.
Magomed Ankalaev roasts Alex Pereira after #UFC313 and offers a rematch.
“He was running for 20 minutes. … I’m happy for a rematch. Maybe in a rematch he can fight for real.” pic.twitter.com/o7epfzQaty
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) March 9, 2025
Ankalaev dismantled Pereira’s pre-fight hype.
“He was considered to be the best striker in the division on the way to this fight. That’s what everybody was talking about, the narrative was that he’s the best. You saw what kind of best striker he was in the fight,” he said, grinning at the outcome.
He explained his edge. “We didn’t have to rely on the wrestling because we were confident in our striking. We were trying to get him to go forward the entire time, that’s what we were baiting, that’s what we were trying to push, and he never walked forward,” he added, revealing how his standup outshone Pereira’s.
Ankalaev opened the door for round two.
“Listen, I’m happy for a rematch if he wants a rematch,” he said, showing willingness. He taunted further. “But then maybe in the rematch he can fight for real and not just run away the entire time,” he quipped, challenging Pereira’s grit. He doubled down on readiness.
“Yes, I never pick my opponents, so I’m very much happy and ready for a rematch. Whenever UFC offers it to us, we’ll see what the date is, we’ll be happy to accept it,” he said, leaving it to the UFC.
Dana White’s nod to a rematch keeps the tension alive.
