As we know UFC 313 main event Alex Pereira vs Magomed Ankalaev is going to take place on March 8, 2025 and will go live in some hours. The light heavyweight title is on the line and fans are excited for this thrilling clash between the two fighter’s. Assumptions are being made by fans about who would walk put of the cage with the LHW title.
Pereira is known for his striking abilities and Ankalaev is known for his grappling skills. Many among the MMA world think that it is the toughest challenge for the Brazilian given he has only face strikers in the light heavyweight division. However, Poatan has claimed in the pre fight press conference that he has a lot of experience with grappling and is prepared for the challenge.
Let’s discuss the recent performances of the fighters along with their overall performances to a broader view of the main eventers.
Table of Contents
Fighting Styles
ALEX PEREIRA:
Striking Ability: A two-division GLORY kickboxing world champion, Pereira is known for his excellent striking ability and precise stand-up game. His dominative kickboxing background help him to deliver amazing punches and high kicks. With extreme accuracy and raw power, Poatan has been proving himself as an competitive fighter over the decades.
Takedown Defense: The LHW Champion has been constantly working upon his takedown defense over the time. He has defended his takedown defense 70% which can be considered a good to go score against a fighter like Ankalaev.
Recent Form: The momentum is with Pereira for this fight as he is riding a five-fight winning streak in the UFC. He has successfully defended his light heavyweight title three times. This confidence and positive points can help him turn the tide in his favor.
Magomed Ankalaev:
Wrestling: Ankalaev is a skilled grappler because of his combat sambo training. By dominating his opponents on the ground, his wrestling-heavy style enables him to set the tempo of his bouts. In order to negate Pereira’s striking advantage, he will probably try to take him down frequently and early.
Striking: Ankalaev possesses good striking, but it might not be as good as Pereira’s. He primarily uses his striking to set up takedowns rather than as a main offensive tactic, although he must be cautious not to be caught by Pereira’s counterattacks when trying to close the distance. In his last few fights, The Dagestani has shown good standup game.
Recent Performance: With the exception of a tie against Jan Błachowicz and a no contest against Johnny Walker, Ankalaev has not lost a bout since 2018. This is an amazing score with excellent strategic match because he has been actively prepared to counter Pereira’s hitting by concentrating on his grappling.
Physical Attributes
Pereira has a significant height and reach advantage against the challenger. Because of his reach advantage, he can keep Ankalaev at a distance, making it more difficult for the Russian to get near for takedowns without getting hit. Poatan will have fewer chances to force his wrestling on the Dagestani if he can control his range and mobility.
Keys to Victory
For Alex Pereira:
- Keep Distance – For a match favorable for him , he must maintain a safe striking range from Ankalaev to prevent him from executing his takedowns and taking it over.
- Leg Kicks – As Alex is good with kicks , he should target on legs of Ankalaev which will slow his moments , making is difficult for him to attack or take pressure forwardly.
- Takedown Defense – The key is to resist Ankalaev takedown attempts. Pereira will have to make sure he stays upright to use his striking abilities while his enhanced wrestling defense is put to the test.
For Magomed Ankalaev :
- Pressure Fighting – He must apply forward pressure and should try to play in forward direction so that Pereira cannot get a chance to use his striking skills.
- Wrestling Focus – Ankalaev’s greatest chance of victory is to take the battle to the ground. By doing so he can dominate the match and maybe win by submission or decision if he can control Pereira on the mat.
- Emotional Control – Ankalaev needs to maintain composure and refrain from taking needless chances because of the big stakes. He may be caught by Pereira’s thunderous blows if he were to lose focus.
The main question in this battle is if Ankalaev can carry out his wrestling strategy without getting caught by Pereira’s powerful blows. Poatan has a good chance of victory if he can stay distant, use his striking to hold Ankalaev at bay, and avoid takedowns. However, if the challenger can cover the distance, defeat Pereira, and subdue him on the ground, he might quite easily win.
The outcome will depend on each fighter’s ability to enforce their separate methods, as each have obvious routes to victory. A high-stakes fight between two top contenders is what fans can anticipate from UFC 313, which promises to be an exciting matchup.
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Reddaveni Saisneha 
Aditya Khare