Tag: UFC 313

UFC Fans Stress about Drake Curse After Alex Pereira Met Up with Music Star

UFC Fans Stress about Drake Curse After Alex Pereira Met Up with Music StarWill Alex Pereira become the next victim of the infamous Drake Curse? Over the last few years, hip-hop star…

UFC Fans Stress about Drake Curse After Alex Pereira Met Up with Music Star

Will Alex Pereira become the next victim of the infamous Drake Curse?

Over the last few years, hip-hop star Drake has been accused of jinxing fighters after placing a series of bets that often see his chosen fighter fall. It all began in 2022 when the Degrassi star dropped $275,000 in Jorge Masvidal to beat Colby Covington at UFC 272. ‘Chaos’ ended up winning the fight via a very decisive unanimous decision victory.

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Two months later, Drake threw down $400,000 on Justin Gaethje to beat Charles Oliveira at UFC 274.

Gaethje was choked out in the opening round.

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Kendrick Lamar’s least favorite person lost another $400,000 in 2023 when he placed a bet on Jake Paul to knock out Tommy Fury in February 2023. Fury ended up handing ‘The Problem Child’ his only loss in boxing via split decision.

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‘The Curse will reign supreme’ at UFC 313

Recently, Drake was performing in Sydney, Australia when he bumped into Pereira, the UFC’s reigning light heavyweight champion who is set to defend his gold for the fourth time against top-ranked contender Magomed Ankalev next month at UFC 313 in Las Vegas.

Unsurprisingly, fans immediately speculated that their brief encounter could prompt Drake to drop a big-money bet on Pereira and make ‘Poatan’ the latest victim of MMA’s biggest superstition.

“ffs, I just put $100 on Ankalaev,” one user said.

“He beat the curse at 300, I struggle to believe Alex can defy the odds again,” another added.

“Alex is going to get hit with the Drake curse now,” a third wrote.

“Drake curse incoming.”

“Poor Pereira, Drake going to end up betting on him against Ankalaev now… the curse will reign supreme.”

“If anyone can break the Drake curse it’s Alex. That being said bet the house on ank.”

There have been a few instances of fighters breaking the Drake Curse. Most notably, undisputed UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones. In March 2023, Drake threw down a half million dollars on ‘Bones’ to best Ciryl Gane in his heavyweight debut.

Jones ended up winning the bout via a quick-fire submission victory to add to his legacy and Drake’s bank account.

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UFC Matchmaking Bulletin: UFC Seattle Card Undergoes Major Changes

MMA News has you covered with this week’s UFC matchmaking bulletin, featuring all the additions to upcoming fight cards. With events being held most weekends, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby have their matchmaking work cut out if they’re to fill them, meaning new bouts are confirmed each and every week. Between Monday, February 10, and Sunday, […]

MMA News has you covered with this week’s UFC matchmaking bulletin, featuring all the additions to upcoming fight cards.

With events being held most weekends, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby have their matchmaking work cut out if they’re to fill them, meaning new bouts are confirmed each and every week.

Between Monday, February 10, and Sunday, February 16, a number of fights were made official by the UFC or reported as being in the works by reputable sources.

For those matchups, including the planned main event for the Apex on April 5, check out the list below:

But it wasn’t all positive, with four fights falling through or being adjusted:

‘That Makes Up For 312’ – Fans React To Reveal Of Full Main Card For UFC 313: Pereira vs. Ankalaev

The main card for next month’s UFC 313 pay-per-view event has been confirmed — and fans are expecting violence. After a disappointing numbered event Down Under in Sydney, Australia earlier this month, the promotion’s March offering on PPV comes from within the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Two highly anticipated clashes are set to headline, […]

The main card for next month’s UFC 313 pay-per-view event has been confirmed — and fans are expecting violence.

After a disappointing numbered event Down Under in Sydney, Australia earlier this month, the promotion’s March offering on PPV comes from within the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Two highly anticipated clashes are set to headline, with fan favorite Alex Pereira defending his light heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev in the main event and Justin Gaethje meeting Dan Hooker in a sure-fire barnburner at 155 pounds.

During the broadcast of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night event at the Apex, the MMA leader confirmed which other three fights will go down on the UFC 313 main card, including two further lightweight bouts and a key contest at 115 pounds.

  • Light Heavyweight Championship: Alex Pereira (C) vs. Magomed Ankalaev
  • Lightweight: Justin Gaethje vs. Dan Hooker
  • Lightweight: Jalin Turner vs. Ignacio Bahamondes
  • Women’s Strawweight: Amanda Lemos vs. Iasmin Lucindo
  • Lightweight: King Green vs. Mauricio Ruffy

Fans quickly flocked to social media to react, with the majority seemingly anticipating a much more electric card at UFC 313 than was delivered to Aussie fans at Qudos Bank Arena on Feb. 8.

What’s Next After UFC 312? Current UFC 313 Card For Las Vegas On March 8

UFC 312 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering, UFC 313 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The promotion was in Sydney, Australia this past week, where the Qudos Bank Arena played host to some intriguing matchups for its second numbered event of the new year. Of note […]

UFC 312 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering, UFC 313 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The promotion was in Sydney, Australia this past week, where the Qudos Bank Arena played host to some intriguing matchups for its second numbered event of the new year. Of note were headline wins for Dricus Du Plessis and Zhang Weili, as well as victories for Tallison Teixeira and Jake Matthews.

While the aftermath of the Feb. 8 card is currently the talk of the town, it won’t be long until focus sways to the next PPV — and from the middleweight title picture to the light heavyweight championship conversation.

At UFC 313, set for the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 8, reigning kingpin Alex Pereira will open his account for the new year, once again in defense of his 205-pound gold. After consecutive victories over Jamahal Hill, Ji?í Procházka, and Khalil Rountree in 2024, the Brazilian will next meet the challenge of Magomed Ankalaev.

Gaethje vs. Hooker Sets The Stage For Title Headliner At UFC 313

Stakes will also be high in the co-headliner, as top lightweight contenders Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker meet in a five-round battle that many expect to be in the conversation for Fight of the Year come the end of 2025.

And that’s not the only sure-fire barnburner at 155 pounds. Also slated to collide at UFC 313 is veteran King Green and surging Fighting Nerds prospect Mauricio Ruffy.

An important strawweight bout is also set, with former title challenger Amanda Lemos tasked with defending her position on the ladder against up-and-comer Iasmin Lucindo.

See below for the UFC 313 card, as it stands.

  • Alex Pereira (C) vs. Magomed Ankalaev (light heavyweight championship)
  • Justin Gaethje vs. Dan Hooker (lightweight)
  • Amanda Lemos vs. Iasmin Lucindo (women’s strawweight)
  • King Green vs. Mauricio Ruffy (lightweight)
  • Brunno Ferreira vs. Armen Petrosyan (middleweight)
  • Bruno Silva vs. Joshua Van (flyweight)
  • Alex Morono vs. Carlos Leal (welterweight)
  • Chris Gutierrez vs. Jean Matsumoto (bantamweight)
  • Ozzy Diaz vs. Djorden Santos (middleweight)
  • Mairon Santos vs. Francis Marshall (featherweight)
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Image: UFC.com

Australia Erupts for Alex Pereira at UFC 312 – Steals the Show and Didn’t Even Throw a Punch

Australia Erupts for Alex Pereira at UFC 312 - Steals the Show and Didn't Even Throw a PunchAlex Pereira stole the show in Australia and he didn’t even have to throw a single punch. It’s safe…

Australia Erupts for Alex Pereira at UFC 312 - Steals the Show and Didn't Even Throw a Punch

Alex Pereira stole the show in Australia and he didn’t even have to throw a single punch.

It’s safe to say that Aussies absolutely love the reigning light heavyweight champion, as evidenced by their raucous ovation for ‘Poatan’ during one of his appearances while in Sydney for Saturday’s UFC 312 pay-per-view event at Qudos Bank Arena.

Alex Pereira to defend his light heavyweight title at UFC 313

Of course, Pereira won’t be in action at UFC 312, but fortunately, fight fans won’t have to wait long to see the Brazilian boogeyman back in action. On March 8, ‘Poatan’ will put his 205-pound title on the line when the promotion heads back to the familiar confines of T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for a loaded UFC 313 card.

In the main event of the evening, Pereira will square off with top-ranked contender Magomed Ankalev.

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Ankalaev has gone unbeaten in his last 13 fights with his last three victories coming against Anthony ‘Lionheart’ Smith, Johnny Walker, and Aleksandar Raki?. Overall, Ankalaev is 20-1-1 in his mixed martial arts career and 11-1-1 under the UFC banner, his lone loss coming against Paul Craig in 2018.

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Pereira successfully defended his light heavyweight crown three times in 2024, besting Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka a mere nine weeks apart before scoring a fourth-round TKO against Khalil Rountree at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City. The trio of title defenses moved his UFC record to 9-1.

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Former UFC Champ Sounds the Alarm: Alex Pereira Is Taking a HUGE Risk at UFC 312

Former UFC Champ Sounds the Alarm: Alex Pereira Is Taking a HUGE Risk at UFC 312Alex Pereira is just a few weeks away from his toughest test yet under the UFC banner. On March…

Former UFC Champ Sounds the Alarm: Alex Pereira Is Taking a HUGE Risk at UFC 312

Alex Pereira is just a few weeks away from his toughest test yet under the UFC banner.

On March 8, ‘Poatan’ will step back inside the Octagon set to defend his light heavyweight championship for a fourth time. But unlike his previous opponents — Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka, and Khalil Rountree — Pereira will be facing a fighter with both knockout power and world-class grappling.

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Magomed Ankalev, the 205-pound division’s top-ranked contender, has earned his spot in the UFC 313 headliner via an impressive 11-1-1 under the UFC banner and a streak that has seen him go unbeaten since September 2018. He’s also the man many believe holds to key to defeating ‘Poatan’ and ending the Brazilian boogeyman’s dominant reign at light heavyweight.

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‘The Count’ calls Pereira’s fight with Ankalaev at UFC 313 a ‘Risky move’

That list of people appears to include UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping who suggested that Pereira is taking a huge risk by fighting Ankalaev.

“DC thinks it’s a bad idea. I’ve got a theory on why he’s saying that,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “The reality is, for Alex Pereira, flying to the other side of the world just weeks before his title fight against Magomed Ankalaev, a guy many believe is his toughest matchup at 205, is a risky move. And I probably agree.

Daniel Cormier pointed out that once you go to Australia, you have to deal with jet lag, different food, and a disrupted training regimen. Those are all valid concerns. Meanwhile, the whole time Pereira is doing that, Magomed Ankalaev is working his ass off. Because if Pereira beats him, he cements his own legendary status. But every moment spent standing around with Sean Strickland and doing media, he’s not improving his game, he’s not working on takedown defense, and that could be a problem.

It should be noted that UFC 313 is taking place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, not Australia. Bisping was likely confusing next month’s pay-per-view with this Saturday’s in The Land Down Under which will see Dricus Du Plessis defend his middleweight strap against Sean Strickland in a main event rematch.

Even so, ‘The Count’ makes a strong point.

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