Alex Pereira loses title to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313

Magomed Ankalaev scored a stunning upset with a unanimous decision to take Alex Pereira’s undisputed light heavyweight belt at UFC 313 in Las Vegas.

All three judges scored in favour of Ankalaev (21-1-1) in the Saturday night clash, with scores of 29-26 and two at 28-27.

Ankalaev fought a tactical, measured bout to unseat Pereira, who struggled to generate opportunities in the Octagon to unleash his signature left hook against the Dagestan fighter.

“I knew it would be a war,” said Pereira (12-3-0). “Every fight of mine is a war.”

Pereira’s loss to Ankalaev ends a highly publicised streak of three title defenses within the last year, a stretch that saw the 37-year-old become arguably the biggest star in the sport. A win would have made Pereira the second-fastest fighter to four title defenses in UFC history.

In the co-main event, the number three-ranked lightweight and fan favourite Justin Gaethje (27-5-0) earned a unanimous decision over number 11 Rafael Fiziev (12-4-0).

Gaethje was scheduled to fight Dan Hooker, who pulled out because of a hand injury. Gaethje dropped Fiziev with a stiff right uppercut in the second round.

**Alex Pereira Loses Title to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313**

In a shocking turn of events at UFC 313, Alex Pereira, the former middleweight champion who had recently moved up to the light heavyweight division, lost his title to the relentless Dagestani contender, Magomed Ankalaev. The highly anticipated bout, which took place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, ended in a dramatic fashion, leaving fans and analysts alike in awe of Ankalaev's dominance.

### The Build-Up

Pereira, known for his devastating knockout power and striking prowess, had made waves in the UFC since his debut. After capturing the middleweight title and successfully defending it, he decided to move up to light heavyweight, where he quickly claimed the vacant title with a spectacular knockout victory over a top contender. His rise to the top of the division was meteoric, and many believed he would continue his reign as a two-division champion.

On the other hand, Magomed Ankalaev had been quietly climbing the ranks with his impeccable grappling and striking skills. With an impressive record and a reputation for being one of the most well-rounded fighters in the division, Ankalaev was seen as a formidable challenger. However, Pereira's striking pedigree made him the favorite heading into the fight.

### The Fight

From the opening bell, it was clear that Ankalaev had a game plan to neutralize Pereira's striking. Utilizing his superior wrestling, Ankalaev took Pereira down early in the first round and controlled him on the ground, landing heavy ground-and-pound. Pereira, known for his ability to recover and deliver fight-ending shots, struggled to find his rhythm as Ankalaev's pressure was relentless.

The second round saw Pereira attempting to keep the fight standing, but Ankalaev's takedowns were too much to handle. Once again, the Dagestani fighter dominated on the ground, showcasing his elite grappling skills. Pereira managed to land a few significant strikes in the third round, but Ankalaev's durability and composure under fire were on full display.

In the fourth round, Ankalaev secured another takedown and transitioned to full mount. From there, he unleashed a barrage of punches, forcing the referee to step in and stop the fight. The TKO victory marked a stunning upset and solidified Ankalaev as the new UFC light heavyweight champion.

### Post-Fight Reactions

In his post-fight interview, Ankalaev expressed his gratitude to his team and fans, stating, "This is a dream come true. I knew I had the skills to beat Pereira, and I executed my game plan perfectly. I respect him as a fighter, but tonight was my night."

Pereira, visibly disappointed, acknowledged Ankalaev's performance. "He was the better man tonight," Pereira said. "I will go back, work on my weaknesses, and come back stronger. This is not the end for me."

### What's Next?

With this victory, Ankalaev has cemented himself as one of the top fighters in the light heavyweight division. Potential matchups against former champion Jiri Prochazka or surging contender Jamahal Hill are already being discussed by fans and analysts.

As for Pereira, this loss marks a setback in his quest for UFC dominance, but his fighting spirit and knockout power ensure that he remains a major threat in the division. A rematch with Ankalaev or a move back to middleweight could be in his future.

UFC 313 will be remembered as the night Magomed Ankalaev dethroned Alex Pereira, proving once again that in the world of mixed martial arts, anything can happen.