UFC 313, held on March 8, 2025, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, delivered a series of compelling fights that have significantly impacted the mixed martial arts landscape. Here’s a detailed overview of the event and its aftermath:
Main Event: Light Heavyweight Championship
In the headline bout, Magomed Ankalaev clinched the UFC Light Heavyweight title by defeating reigning champion Alex Pereira via unanimous decision, with judges scoring the fight 49–46, 48–47, and 48–47 in Ankalaev’s favor.
Pereira’s coaches, Plinio Cruz and Glover Teixeira, have publicly disagreed with the judges’ decision, asserting that Pereira won the first, third, and fifth rounds. They remain optimistic about a rematch, promising a more formidable “Poatan 2.0” in the future.
UFC CEO Dana White acknowledged the possibility of a rematch, stating that while the fight didn’t meet his expectations for action, there was no controversy in the decision.
Co-Main Event: Lightweight Bout
The co-main event featured a lightweight clash between Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev. Gaethje secured a unanimous decision victory, with all three judges scoring the bout 29–28.
Post-fight footage revealed Gaethje addressing a potential toe injury, stating, “My toes are f*cked.” Despite this, he expressed his commitment to remain available for upcoming matches.
Notable Fights and Outcomes
Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Jalin Turner: Bahamondes secured a first-round submission victory via triangle choke at 2:29. Following the loss, Jalin Turner announced his retirement from MMA at 29, citing a loss of focus and fire. He left the door open for a potential future return.
Amanda Lemos vs. Iasmin Lucindo: Lemos won by unanimous decision, with all judges scoring the fight 29–28.
Maurício Ruffy vs. Bobby Green: Ruffy delivered a spectacular first-round knockout via spinning wheel kick at 2:07, earning him a Performance of the Night bonus.
Bonus Awards
The UFC awarded $50,000 bonuses for standout performances:
Fight of the Night: Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev
Performance of the Night: Ignacio Bahamondes and Maurício Ruffy
Rankings and Future Implications
Following UFC 313, several shifts occurred in the lightweight rankings. Notably, Joel Álvarez dropped out of the top 15, with Ignacio Bahamondes taking his place after his impressive victory. Álvarez is expected to face Benoît Saint-Denis at UFC 315, a bout that could see him regain his ranking position.
Overall, UFC 313 has set the stage for exciting developments in multiple divisions, with fans eagerly anticipating upcoming matchups and potential rematches.