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UFC 313: Magomed Ankalaev dethrones Alex Pereira, Justin Gaethje wins Rafael Fiziev rematch
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Updated 09/03/2025 at 09:40 GMT
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There were two huge fights at UFC 313 in the main and co-main bouts in Paradise, Nevada. Light Heavyweight champion Alex Pereira was defeated by Magomed Ankalaev in the headline event, with Justin Gaethje beating Rafael Fiziev for a second time. The action kicks off on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+ from 1am on Sunday, March 9.
Pereira and Ankalaev face off ahead of UFC 313 showdown
Video credit: TNT Sports
ANKALAEV UPSETS PEREIRA TO TAKE LIGHT HEAVY TITLE
Magomed Ankalaev surprised the UFC 2024 Fighter of the Year Alex Pereira, winning an unanimous decision to take the UFC Light heavyweight crown.
The Russian confounded most forecasts by backing up the fan-favourite Brazilian who was hurt badly with a left hook at the end of the second round.
Ankalaev, who is now on a 14-fight win streak, won the next two rounds on all three scorecards and though the Las Vegas crowd showed their displeasure at his tactics of holding Poatan against the Octagon, he was awarded the contest 48-47 on two cards and 49-46 on the third.
In the co-main event, Justin Gaethje edged Rafael Fiziev in an action-packed contest, in a rematch of their UFC 286 meeting in London.
Fiziev with his brutal body attacks took the first round, but Gaethje's brutal uppercut put the Azerbaijani fighter down in the second and he stayed on top in the third.
The knockout of the night came from Brazilian Mauricio Ruffy who stunned King Green with a spinning wheel kick in the first round.
PEREIRA: I'LL BE BACK
"I feel fine, I dont think I'm hurt," Pereira said. "This is my life. I'll be back to training soon."
ANKALAEV WINS UNANIMOUS DECISION!
He takes the fight and the Light Heavyweight belt 49-46 and 48-47 (twice). What an upset! The first scorecard seems wide but Pereira cannot argue about not having his arm raised really.
PEREIRA-ANKALAEV: ROUND 5
Ankalaev lands straight kicks to the body and then lands shots to the head with either hand after that. Pereira lands a good left hook but is back to backing away from Ankalaev afterwards. A head kick from Pereira has the crowd roaring and it seems to have an impact. Ankalaev is not pressurising and is caught by a couple of jabs from Poatan, who blocks a takedown for the tenth time in the contest.
The last minute sees Ankalaev holding Pereira against the Octagon while landing knees. Both fighters raise their arms at the end. You would say Pereira won that round but will it be enough?
PEREIRA-ANKALAEV: ROUND 4
Ankalaev locks Pereira in against the Octagon and lands the more shots as they lock up there. The crowd don't like it and cheer as the referee splits them with a couple of minutes to go but within a minute they are against the Octagon again. Ankalaev looks to be wearing Pereira down as he lands knees to the body and short uppercuts in close.
It looks like Pereira needs a stoppage.
PEREIRA-ANKALAEV: ROUND 3
The calm after the storm this round. Lots of posturing and feints but not many strikes landed in the first three minutes. Ankalaev begins to land thereafter. His southpaw jab landing and discombobulating the champion. Pereira lands a couple of shot himself but they don't seem to have the usual sting in them. He is having more success with his leg kicks, but not enough to take the round.
PEREIRA-ANKALAEV: ROUND 2
Ankalaev began landing good kicks, especially to the bread basket. Pereira lands a jab but most of his work is from calf kicks. A nice one-two from Ankaalev gets Pereira respect. He catches the champion with hooks and right counters as Pereira comes in close. Very little strikes landed from Pereira until a right in the final thirty seconds, which Ankaleav takes and then repsonds with a left of his own. As the seconds wear down, Ankalaev lands a big left hand which saw Pereira falling back against the Octagon. Big round for the challenger.
PEREIRA-ANKALAEV: ROUND 1
It's a slow start with both respectful of the other. Few strikes of note are landed. Both land calf kicks but Pereira's seem to be doing more damage leaving his leg very red. Ankalaev is more ambitious as the round goes on. He lands a couple of good front kicks then he goes for a take down in the final few seconds, but Pereira blocks it and holds on against the Octagon.
IT'S TIME...
A reminder, Light Heavyweight champ Pereira has a 12-2 record. #1 contender Ankalaev is 20-1-1, 1 NC.
THE PEREIRA STAREDOWN...
Ankalaev is moving from side to side looking over, but as usual Pereira is rooted to the ground his eyes not twitching an iota.
PEREIRA MAKES HIS WAY TO THE RING
Fists already cocked as if ready to go already. He stops to aim an imaginary arrow at his opponent in the Octagon. The crowd lap it up - as well they might.
THE MAIN EVENT IS NEXT...
Alex Pereira likes that Magomed Ankalaev has been described as his biggest test.
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Ankalaev being described as toughest test 'motivates me more' - Pereira
Video credit: TNT Sports
HOW DO I WATCH UFC LIVE STREAMS ON TNT SPORTS?
The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports and entertainment in one destination.
You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
A select number of events will be on TNT Sports Box Office.
TNT Sports Box Office offers both subscribers and non-subscribers pay-per-view access to some of the most exciting events in the calendar.
LET'S NEVER FIGHT AGAIN...UNLESS IT'S FOR A BELT
Nice words from Gaethje as both fighters show the bond they have after their two wars.
GAETHJE WINS UNANIMOUS DECISION
Gaethje wins 29-28 on all three scorecards.
GAETHJE-FIZIEV: ROUND 3
Fiziev landed a big left hook then followed up with three left kicks to the body. Gaethje landed his own uppercut then just missed a head kick which might have ended things.
Gaethje continued landing uppercuts as Fiziev appears to be tiring as the final round wen on.
A big kick with his right hurt Fiziev and Gaethje followed it with a right hand upstairs and though the Azerbaijani landed a knee on the buzzer, this was surely Gaethje's fight.
GAETHJE-FIZIEV: ROUND 2
An action-packed round between clashing styles which sees Gaethe go close to stopping his opponent.
Fiziev began landing brutal body shots in close but Gaethje returned with interest upstairs with sharp hooks with either hand.
Fiziev just misses a kick with his left, but doesn't with a right hand to the chin which seemed to stun Gaethje a little. After another knee to the body from Fiziev, Gaethje landed a right cross.
Gaethje landed a fantastic uppercut which sent Fiziev to the mat and the Azerbaijani fighter had to do all he could to avoid being stopped.
His legs were still wobbly as he gets back to his feet but he landed a good kick of his own before the buzzer.
GAETHJE-FIZIEV: ROUND 1
Gaethje stalks Fiziev but he is taken down twice and then has his head between the Azerbaijani's leg, but gets to his feet before the mid-point of the round.
As they lock up in close, Fiziev lands nasty knees to the body. But in the last minute he is caught by a kick and eats a big right from Gaethje. Fiziev returns to the corner with a cut between his eyes.
CO-MAIN EVENT IS NEXT
Let's hope the sequel can match the first fight, as lightweights #3 Justin Gaethje and #11 Rafael Fiziev meet again two years on from the fight at UFC 286 in London.
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Gaethje defends style ahead of Fiziev fight - 'My reaction time is second to none'
Video credit: TNT Sports
NOT TO LOOK AHEAD....
We have a great fight here tonight...but how exciting would an Aspinall-Pereira fight be in the UK? You have to think its a stadium fight.
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'It's possible' - Pereira open to Aspinall showdown
Video credit: TNT Sports
BAHAMONDES SUBMITS TURNER IN ROUND 1
Bahamondes takes Turner down but the American ends up on top and lands an elbow before both tie each other up. Eventually, as Turner looks to land ground and pounds, Bahamondes locks in a triangle and, after what seemed like an age, the referee sees a tap. Turner leaves his gloves in the Octagon, suggesting he will retire after this bout.
LIGHTWEIGHTS COLLIDE NEXT...
Jalin Turner (14-8) takes on Ignacio Bahamondes (16-5).
THE MAIN EVENTERS ARE IN THE HOUSE
UFC 314 LIVE ON TNT SPORTS NEXT MONTH
Paddy Pimblett will be in action against #7 Michael Chandler in Miami on April 12.
How do I watch UFC live streams on TNT Sports?
The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports and entertainment in one destination.
You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
A select number of events will be on TNT Sports Box Office.
TNT Sports Box Office offers both subscribers and non-subscribers pay-per-view access to some of the most exciting events in the calendar.
LEMOS TAKES UNANIMOUS DECISION!
All three judges score the fight in her favour, 30-27 (twice) and 29-28.
LEMOS-LUCINDO: ROUND 3
Lucindo begins the round with purpose knowing, in all likelihood, she needs to end things before the 15-minute mark of the contest. Lucindo takes Lemos to the mat but the veteran defends well on her back and lands as many blows from there as her opponent. They get to their feet and then Lemos takes down Lucindo - her third of the fight. From there the fight is on the mat until the buzzer.
LEMOS-LUCINDO: ROUND 2
Another lacklustre round. The fight takes similar shape with both fighters pressed against the Octagon before Lemos takes her opponent to the mat. The crowd don't like it but Lemos won't care, she's got two rounds in the bank. She ends the round with a hammer fist for good measure.
LEMOS-LUCINDO: ROUND 1
The crowd boo as Lucindo holds Lemos against the Octagon and neither fighter gets the upper hand until Lemos takes her down to the mat. There they stay for the rest of the contest. Lucindo shows good defence to avoid taking too many blows but not a fight the fans are enjoying at present.
LUCINDO AND LEMOS IN ACTION NEXT
These two fine strawweights have to win tonight if they are to get a shot at champion Zhang Weili. #7 Iasmin Lucindo has four wins in a row and takes on former title challenger #Amanda Lemos in a crossroads fight.
'RUTHLESS' ROBBIE LAWLER IS A HALL OF FAMER!
A fitting award for an incredible career.
RUFFY WANTS DARIUSH NEXT...
RUFFY KNOCKS OUT GREEN IN ROUND 1
Ruffy stunned Green with a right hand which put 'King' on the back foot but the ending didn't seem nigh until he landed an incredible spinning wheel kick which landed on the temple and put his opponent down face first, leading the referee to call the fight off.
THE KING MEETS RUFFY FIRST UP...
Mauricio Ruffy (11-1) is on a six-fight win streak and he takes on King Green (32-16-1).
VAN WINS UNANIMOUS DECISION!
He gets the fight 30-27 on all three scorecards. And that is the end of the prelims. The main card is next.
VAN-TSURUYA: ROUND 3
Tsuruya cops a kick to the protective cup and takes a minute to recover while he is booed by the fans. Van blocks another takedon and lands nasty shots to the body while Tsuruya continues to try to grapple.
Back standing up, Van lands a good right hand then a one-two which leave the Japanese fighter with a bloodied mouth. He backs this up with a stabbing front kick, but another seemingly low blow sees Tsuruya take another break. After replays show most of the blow landed to the body the ref calls the fighters back to action. A late right hand from Van puts Tsuruya down for a flash knockdown in the closing seconds.
A fine performance from Van and learning experience for the, surely formerly undefeated, Tsuruya.
VAN-TSURUYA: ROUND 2
Tsuruya with an effective take down early on and secures his arm around Van's head and lands some good shots to his Houston-based opponent's head.
Van lets some nice shots to the body go and gets the better of it as they engage in stand up as Tsuruya telegraphs his shots and is caught with a front kick and knee lift. Tsuruya responds with a good spinning elbow, but again it seems the round is Van's - you would think, but who knows after the earlier decision.
VAN-TSURUYA: ROUND 1
The Japanese fighter showing a lot of good feints and landing shots, but he does hold his head high which makes it a big target. Tsuruya has four takedown attempts but each time Van blocks them and Van continues to land shots.
A right hand lands from Van with 90 seconds remaining in the round. Finally Tsuruya takes him down, but Van gets up back to his feet and another right hand bloodies the Japanese fighter's nose before he records another takedown - but it is not nearly enough to take the round.
FLYWEIGHTS IN ACTION NEXT
Two fine finishers Joshua Van (12-2) and the unbeaten Rei Tsuruya (10-0).
HOW WILL POATAN BACK UP HIS INCREDIBLE 2024?
FERREIRA SUBMITS PETROSYAN IN ROUND 2
It was not the slugfest which had been hoped for but we still got an early stoppage. Ferreira landed a couple of good left hooks and Petrosyan claimed a low blow from a fair body shot which leads to the crowd booing on seeing the replay.
Ferreira then took Petrosyan down and takes his back with just over a minute on the clock. It looked like the Armenian was getting away but Ferreira locked in an armbar which saw Petrosyan tap.
FERREIRA-PETROSYAN: ROUND 1
Petrosyan begins stalking Ferreira who circles the Octagon but the Brazilian lands the first meaningful blow with a left hook. The bout is stopped a couple of times midway though the round due to a low blows from Petrosyan kicks.
The Armenian is deducted a point but Petrosyan lands some good kicks and strikes in the closing stages which may see him win the round and make the opener 9-9.
FERREIRA-PETROSYAN NEXT...
Brunno Ferreira looks to keep up his 100% stoppage run in the UFC against Armen Petrosyan, in a battle of strikers.
LEAL STOPS MORONO IN ROUND 1!
Leal looks much sharper from the off landing shots with either hand. Although he stands a little square on and gives Morono the chance to land with his wild swinging counters, his pressure is unrelenting.
Leal's elbows in close have their effect and vicious body shots see Morono go to the mat. He waits for his opponent to get back to his feat before landing more body shots to weaken Morono and then lands repeated right crosses and an uppercut against the Octagon leading the referee to stop the contest.
VETERAN WELTERWEIGHTS IN ACTION NEXT
Alex 'The Great White' Morono vs Carlos 'the Lion' Leal.
SANTOS: I THINK I WON FAIR AND SQUARE
"He had a good first round," Santos said on TNT Sports. "He took me down in two and three but didn't do anything.
"If you see the strikes landed, I won."
SANTOS WINS SPLIT DECISION!
That is crazy! One judge had Marshall the winner 30-27, while the other two had Santos winning it 29-28. The crowd boo as well they might.
SANTOS-MARSHALL: ROUND 3
Santos not fighting with the desperation he needed in this round. Marshall catching him with repeated jabs and hooks as he looked to close distance, but without much guile.
Santos landed a couple of good shots in the last minute but Marshall made another takedown, his third of the fight, in the final 40 seconds and the fight stayed on the mat until the end of the contest.
SANTOS-MARSHALL: ROUND 2
There are not many better boxers in the UFC than Marshall. His left hand especially is so sharp, be it with jabs or hooks.
It was a straight right which buzzed Santos a minute and a half into the round though. Marshall's nose i wearing the affects of Santos's jab though which comes from a low guard and is hard to read.
Marshall takes down Santos in the final two minutes and though Santos gets up a couple of times he is tripped back to the mat. The pair split with 20 seconds left in the round where Santos tries a big head kick which only lands with a glancing blow and surely Marshall is two up.
SANTOS-MARSHALL: ROUND 1
Both fighters having their moments, Marshall showcasing his impressive boxing catching the Ultimate Fighter winner with counters as Santos looked to close the distance, while Santos showed off his lightning calf kicks and sharp right hands.
A huge left hook from Marshall sees Santos wobble and go to the mat in the closing stages but despite taking some shots the Brazilian grabs his opponent's leg as they press against the Octagon and makes it to the buzzer.
PRELIMS START...RIGHT NOW!
Featherweights Mairon Santos (15-1), the Ultimate Fighter 32 winner, and Francis Marshall (8-2) are set to enter the Octagon shortly.
ROGAN: ANKALAEV THE MOST COMPLETE FIGHTER PEREIRA HAS FACED
Pereira has cut a swathe through the Middleweight and Light-heavyweight divisions, but commentator Joe Rogan believes this is his toughest challenge yet.
WE ARE READY TO GO LIVE...
The action is about to start on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+.
How do I watch UFC live streams on TNT Sports?
The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports and entertainment in one destination.
You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
A select number of events will be on TNT Sports Box Office.
TNT Sports Box Office offers both subscribers and non-subscribers pay-per-view access to some of the most exciting events in the calendar.
How to sign up for UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Pass is the largest combat sports library in the world. With UFC Fight Pass, you can catch the repeats of all UFC events just 48 hours after they air.
THE KING TRIES HIS LUCK WITH BRITISH SLANG
TNT SPORTS TREATED TO ROYAL VISIT
'The King' Bobby Green sat down with TNT Sports ahead of his lightweight contest with Mauricio Ruffy.
PEREIRA EVEN BOX OFFICE DURING WEIGH IN
WHAT A CARD WE HAVE IN STORE
HELLO AND WELCOME TO UFC 313
We will be following the action with you all the way through the night, until the most exciting fighter in the world Alex Pereira steps in (and out) of the Octagon to defend his Light-heavyweight crown.
What time does UFC 313 start in the UK?
UFC 313: Pereira vs Ankalaev will be live on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+, with coverage from the preliminary fights starting at 01:00 AM (UK time).
You can also watch via UFC Fight Pass.
What channels does TNT Sports offer and on which platforms?
TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.
Depending on your subscription and device, fans can enjoy access to the following TNT Sports channels:
- TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4 - in standard definition and high definition, plus six red-button channels.
- TNT Sports Ultimate will offer fans coverage of selected events in up to 4K picture resolution with high dynamic range (HDR) - representing colours and action in almost life-like quality - and Dolby Atmos sound.
- TNT Sports Box Office, offering both subscribers and non-subscribers pay-per-view access to some of the most exciting events in the calendar.
You can subscribe to TNT Sports through Discovery+, BT, EE, Sky and Virgin Media.
How do I watch UFC live streams on TNT Sports?
The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports and entertainment in one destination.
You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
A select number of events will be on TNT Sports Box Office.
TNT Sports Box Office offers both subscribers and non-subscribers pay-per-view access to some of the most exciting events in the calendar.
How to sign up for UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Pass is the largest combat sports library in the world. With UFC Fight Pass, you can catch the repeats of all UFC events just 48 hours after they air.
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