Alex Pereira is set to defend his light heavyweight title against the in-form Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 this evening, March 8th.

The Brazilian champion, now holding the second title of his career, initially made his mark in the middleweight division back in 2022.

However, his reign at 185 pounds was short-lived as he lost the rematch to Israel Adesanya just five months later.

Following that setback, Pereira moved up to light heavyweight, where he has remained undefeated.

Since claiming the title with a victory over Jiri Prochazka, he has successfully defended it against Jamahal Hill and once again in a rematch with Prochazka.

However, he faces a tough challenge in Magomed Ankalaev, who is on a 13-fight unbeaten streak. The Russian has been steadily working his way toward title contention with recent wins over Anthony Smith and Aleksandar Rakic. With both fighters in peak form, this matchup promises fireworks.

UFC 313 Main Card – Gaethje Returns to Action

The event isn’t just about the light heavyweight title; Justin Gaethje is also back in action in the lightweight division.

The former interim champion was originally scheduled to face Dan Hooker in a five-round co-headliner, but Hooker suffered a hand injury and had to withdraw.

Instead, Gaethje will now take on Rafael Fiziev in a three-round bout, marking a rematch of their thrilling clash at UFC 286.

In their previous meeting, Gaethje secured a majority decision victory over the Azerbaijani fighter, and Fiziev will be eager to settle the score.

Heavyweight Clash Scrapped Due to Injury

UFC 313 was also expected to feature a heavyweight bout between Jhonata Diniz and Vitor Petrino, but injuries have once again reshaped the card.

Petrino has been forced to withdraw due to lateral epicondylitis in both elbows, and with no replacement found in time, the fight has been removed from the event entirely.

With title implications, high-stakes rematches, and top-tier talent in action, UFC 313 is shaping up to be a must-watch event for fight fans worldwide.

Fight fans in the UK will need to prepare for a late night or an early morning as UFC 313 takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The event, home to high-stakes matchups, will see Alex Pereira defend his light heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev in what promises to be an electrifying showdown.

Fight Card Changes – Bantamweight to Featherweight Switch

Originally, a bantamweight clash between Chris Gutierrez and undefeated prospect Jean Matsumoto was scheduled for the event.

However, Matsumoto was pulled from the card to serve as a replacement fighter against Rob Font at UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Song. To fill the vacancy, John Castaneda has stepped in, and the fight will now take place at featherweight instead of bantamweight.

UFC 313 UK Start Times – Set Your Alarms!

For UK viewers, the event will run into the early hours of Sunday morning. Here’s a breakdown of the timings:

• Early Prelims – Start at 11pm UK time (3pm PT, 5pm CT, 6pm ET on Saturday)
• Prelims – Expected to begin at 1am UK time (5pm PT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET on Saturday)
• Main Card – Set for 3am UK time (7pm PT, 9pm CT, 10pm ET on Saturday)
• Pereira vs. Ankalaev Title Fight – Predicted to start around 5am UK time on Sunday morning

However, fight times can shift if earlier bouts finish ahead of schedule, so fans setting alarms for the main event should be cautious. The fight will likely begin no later than 5am.

Where to Watch UFC 313

UK viewers can watch all the action live on TNT Sports, with streaming available via the Discovery+ app. In the United States, fans can catch the event on ESPN.

With title implications, last-minute fight changes, and top-tier matchups, UFC 313 is shaping up to be another memorable night in the octagon.