It’s finally official — but only because “Poatan” asked for it.
Reigning UFC light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira, will defend his 205-pound title against No. 1-ranked division contender, Magomed Ankalaev, atop the upcoming UFC 313 pay-per-view (PPV) event, recently announced for Sat., March 8, 2025 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The number crunchers at BetOnline.ag opened Pereira as the +170 underdog against -200 for Ankalaev, the moneyline favorite. In the short time since the promotion made the fight official, the line has already shrunk to +115 (Pereira) and -135 (Ankalaev). No doubt these odds will continue to shift (in both directions) as we get closer to fight night.
“You just signed your death certificate,” Ankalaev wrote on Twitter. “I’m gonna punish you for ducking me and I’m gonna make you look like a guy who works in a tire shop, not a professional fighter. [Pereira] goes to all UFC fights to get free alcohol and get camera time on the other hand, I’ve been training so hard. March 8, alcohol not help you. CHAMA.”
In the UFC 313 co-main event, lightweight highlight reel, Justin Gaethje, returns to battle longtime contender, Dan Hooker. Gaethje opened at -150 on the moneyline opposite +130 for Hooker; but much like the five-round main event, incoming bets have already shifted those odds to -175 (Gaethje) and +150 (Hooker).
“I’m a Justin Gaethje fan, and yeah, obviously appreciate him taking this fight,” Hooker told Submission Radio. “Like, it’s a dangerous fight for him. I respect them for accepting this fight when I feel like there would have been easier fights for him out there. So credit to him and his team. Like, I know full well that it’s two fighters in there that are either going to win or they’re going to die trying. They’re prepared to die and have accepted that and who are at peace with that. That’s why the fans are so excited for this fight.”
Expect more UFC 313 fight card announcements in the coming days.