UFC 313 press conference: Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev stare down

Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev locked eyes in a tense staredown ahead of their UFC 313 title fight this Saturday.


Sports Desk March 07, 2025

Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev came face-to-face for the first time ahead of Saturday's highly anticipated UFC 313 light heavyweight title fight.

The two have exchanged words over social media and interviews, but Thursday’s pre-fight press conference marked their first official staredown.

After taking questions from reporters, Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) and Ankalaev (20-1-1 MMA, 11-1-1 UFC) stood inches apart, intensifying the buildup to Saturday’s main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Pereira, 37, will look to defend his 205-pound title for the fourth time, while Ankalaev, 32, aims to extend his 13-fight unbeaten streak and claim UFC gold.

The tension carried over to the co-main event faceoff, where Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev met again nearly two years after their first bout.

Gaethje (25-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) won their UFC 286 Fight of the Night encounter by majority decision in March 2023. Now, Fiziev (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) is stepping in on short notice for the injured Dan Hooker to seek redemption.

Gaethje and Fiziev faced off after their own media session, setting the stage for Saturday’s lightweight showdown.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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UFC 313 will air Saturday, with a start time of 7:00 PM PST.

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