Pereira Vs Ankalaev: How The Champion Secured Another Devastating Win

UFC 313 is set to deliver a night of fireworks as Pereira vs Ankalaev takes center stage, with Alex Pereira defending his light heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev in the main event. Taking place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, this is a fight fans have been eagerly anticipating. The main card starts at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV, with prelims at 8 p.m. ET on ESPNEWS and ESPN+, and early prelims at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and Disney+.

Pereira is one of the most dangerous strikers in the sport, and he’s been on a mission, knocking out his last four opponents. His most recent victory came at UFC 307, where he stopped Khalil Rountree Jr. in the fourth round. On the other hand, Ankalaev is riding an incredible 13-fight unbeaten streak, dating all the way back to 2018. This fight could change the entire landscape of the division.

How Pereira Can Win: Stick to What He Does Best

If Pereira wants to keep his belt, he needs to do what he does best—use his range, control the pace, and land devastating strikes. His leg kicks could play a huge role in this fight. When Jan Blachowicz fought Ankalaev, he had a lot of success attacking his legs, and Pereira is even better at setting up those kicks. If Ankalaev struggles to move by the third round, it could be game over.

One major factor in Pereira’s favor is that Ankalaev doesn’t always commit to his wrestling. If he tries to trade shots with Pereira, he’s making a huge mistake. Pereira is too sharp, too powerful, and too precise. If Ankalaev hesitates, Pereira will find the perfect moment to land a knockout shot.

How Ankalaev Can Win: Mix It Up and Keep It Smart

For Ankalaev, the worst possible strategy would be to stand and strike with Pereira for five rounds. Sure, he has power, but Pereira has a way of breaking fighters down. Ankalaev’s best chance to win is by making this an ugly fight—clinching, wrestling, and forcing Pereira to defend takedowns all night long.

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One thing he needs to do early is push Pereira against the cage. It’s risky since Pereira can land big counter shots, but if Ankalaev can smother him, he can take away the champion’s biggest weapon: space. Ankalaev also has solid wrestling, and if he’s able to get Pereira to the mat, he could control the fight and take away Pereira’s striking advantage.

The Key Factor: Cage Control and Gas Tank

This fight could come down to who controls the Octagon. If Pereira can keep the fight in the center and pick his shots, he’s in the driver’s seat. But if Ankalaev can push him against the cage and wear him down, he’ll have a big edge.

Pereira has never really been tested in a long, grueling fight. If Ankalaev can drag him into the later rounds and make him work for everything, it could open the door for a late finish or a decision victory. But if Pereira starts landing clean shots early, Ankalaev might not even make it that far.

Source: UFC 313: Expert picks, best bets for Pereira vs. Ankalaev

Prediction and Betting Insight: Will Pereira Get Another KO

Opinions are split on this fight. Former UFC fighter Alan Jouban believes Pereira’s striking will be too much, predicting a knockout win for the champion. He points out that Ankalaev hasn’t always leaned into his wrestling, which could be a huge mistake against someone as dangerous as Pereira.

On the other hand, betting expert Ian Parker sees Ankalaev as a smart pick at -105 odds. He believes Ankalaev’s wrestling and overall skill set give him more ways to win. If Ankalaev can survive the early rounds and take Pereira into deep waters, the fight could swing in his favor.

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Ultimately, it comes down to execution. If Pereira keeps the fight standing, he’s likely to score another highlight-reel knockout. If Ankalaev can make it a grinding, wrestling-heavy battle, he has a solid chance to pull off the upset.

Pereira vs Ankalaev: How the Champion Secured Another Devastating Win

Other Fights to Watch at UFC 313

Besides the main event, UFC 313 has some great fights lined up:

Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev (Lightweight Rematch): Gaethje won their first fight, but Fiziev is a much sharper striker. With Gaethje coming off a tough KO loss, Fiziev is the favorite at -170.
Jalin Turner vs. Ignacio Bahamondes (Lightweight Showdown): Turner has struggled lately, and Bahamondes has won back-to-back knockouts. If this turns into a striking match, Bahamondes could pick Turner apart (-125 odds).
Brunno Ferreira vs. Armen Petrosyan (Middleweight Clash): Ferreira has knockout power but is reckless. Petrosyan is the better overall striker, and if he avoids big shots, he should win (-155 odds in his favor).

Final Thoughts: A Night That Could Shake Up the Division

UFC 313 is shaping up to be a night full of big moments. If Pereira wins in dominant fashion, he cements himself as one of the most dangerous champions in UFC history. But if Ankalaev pulls off the upset, we could be looking at a new era in the light heavyweight division.

With a stacked card and plenty of intriguing matchups, fight fans are in for a wild night. Whether you’re tuning in to see Pereira’s knockout power or betting on Ankalaev’s all-around game, UFC 313 promises to deliver high-level action from start to finish.