From the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, NV, reigning light heavyweight king Alex Pereira makes the fourth defense of his strap against the surging Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313. Before that, a returning Justin Gaethje is set to make a rebound into the win column by going toe-to-toe with European Muay Thai specialist Rafael Fiziev.
UFC 313 Main Event
Netting the 205-lb belt at the tail-end of 2023, Pereira logged a remarkable first year as champion in 2024, earning three straight title defenses in six months ahead of UFC 313. Serving as the headlining attraction for UFC 300, UFC 303 and UFC 307, “Poatan” knocked out a trio of heavy-hitters in Jamahal Hill, Jiří Procházka and Khalil Rountree Jr. to assert his hegemony in the division.
After dropping his UFC debut to Paul Craig almost seven years ago, Ankalaev has since embarked on a phenomenal 12-fight unbeaten streak. Long hailed as the stylistic kryptonite of the champion, the Dagestani bruiser will bring to the table an elite-level complete game that Pereira hasn’t faced in quite some time.
UFC 313 Co-Main Event
Taking nearly a year off to recover from a scary fifth-round knockout against Max Holloway at UFC 300, Gaethje appears more eager than ever to step back into the Octagon. Having once fought for the undisputed title back in 2020, “The Highlight” has the opportunity to perhaps put himself back into contention by turning away his previous foe in the UFC 313 co-main event.
Suffering a majority decision defeat to Gaethje back in 2023 at UFC 286, Fiziev also will be coming back to action after a long lay off since losing to Mateusz Gamrot at UFC Fight Night 228 by second round TKO. Standing as the favorite in his rematch with the American, “Ataman” can both rewrite one of the biggest setbacks in his UFC career and put an end to his two-fight skid.
More Bouts On the Main Card
On the rest of the UFC 313 main card, Jalin Turner takes on the streaking Ignacio Bahamondes. Then, former UFC title challenger Amanda Lemos locks horns with Iasmin Lucindo, and lightweight fan-favorite King Green battles 155-lb prospect Mauricio Ruffy.
UFC 313 Betting Predictions and Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
- UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
- PFL picks from main cards for pay-per-views and from tournament fights in the Regular Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
- ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
The individual who picks the most victorious fighters by the end of 2025 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a detailed chain from Championship Chains. Staff picks in 2023 were won by Ben Jamieson with a record of 300-148.
Find our UFC 313 picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after UFC Fight Night 253:
- Jeremy Brand: 9-31
- Frazer Krohn: 6-24
- Andrew Benjamin: 6-30
- Hank Strandberg: 10-31
- Drew Zuhosky: 7-34
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Mauricio Ruffy -450
Vs.
King Green +370
LIGHTWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Ruffy by second round Technical Knockout
Hank Strandberg: Green by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Green by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Ruffy by second round Technical Knockout
Staff picking Ruffy: 2
Staff picking Green: 2
Iasmin Lucindo -142
Vs.
Amanda Lemos +120
WOMEN’S STRAWWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Lemos by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Lemos by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Lemos by third round Submission
Frazer Krohn: Lucindo by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Lucindo: 1
Staff picking Lemos: 3
Ignacio Bahamondes -130
Vs.
Jalin Turner +110
LIGHTWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Bahamondes by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Bahamondes by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Turner by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Turner by third round Submission
Staff picking Bahamondes: 2
Staff picking Turner: 2
Rafael Fiziev -155
Vs.
Justin Gaethje -130
LIGHTWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Gaethje by third round Technical Knockout
Hank Strandberg: Gaethje by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Gaethje by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Gaethje by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Fiziev: 0
Staff picking Gaethje: 4
Magomed Ankalaev -102
Vs.
Alex Pereira -118
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Pereira by third round Technical Knockout
Hank Strandberg: Ankalaev by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Pereira by fourth round Technical Knockout
Frazer Krohn: Ankalaev by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Ankalaev: 2
Staff picking Pereira: 2
