UFC 313 is fast approaching, headlined by a dynamite light heavyweight title fight between reigning champion Alex Pereira and No. 1 contender Magomed Ankalaev.
Pereira-Ankalaev was announced as part of UFC 311, and fans were happy to see ‘Poatan’ stepping up to take on arguably his stiffest test to date. Russia’s Ankalaev rides an 11-fight unbeaten streak since losing his UFC debut to a hail mercy submission by Paul Craig.
In the co-main event, former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje makes his highly anticipated return to the cage. Max Holloway knocked out Gaethje at UFC 300, and now ‘The Highlight’ takes on short-notice replacement Rafael Fiziev in another lightweight contest.
All this and more on UFC 313.
UFC 313 full fight card: Who’s fighting?
In addition to the fights with Pereira and Gaethje, UFC 313 features a wealth of striking matchups that are sure to entertain.
Regarding ranked fights, Women’s strawweight standout Amanda Lemos defends her ranking against up-and-coming Iasmin Lucindo, and No. 5-ranked heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes welcomes a UFC newcomer in Rizvan Kuniev. Blaydes-Kuniev was moved from UFC Seattle.
Fans are also privy to the exciting appearances of Mauricio Ruffy, Mairon Santos, and Carlos Leal, all of whom could be top UFC contenders in the future.
The full announced card is as follows, subject to change:
- (C) Alex Pereira (12-2) vs. #1 Magomed Ankalaev (20-1-1-1NC); Light Heavyweight Title Fight
- #3 Justin Gaethje (26-5) vs. #11 Rafael Fiziev (24-12); Lightweight
- King Green (32-16-1-1NC) vs. Mauricio Ruffy (11-1); Lightweight
- #13 Bruno Silva (14-6-2-1NC) vs. #15 Joshua Van (12-2); Flyweight
- #5 Amanda Lemos (14-4-1) vs. #7 Iasmin Lucindo (17-5); W. Strawweight
- Mairon Santos (15-1) vs. Francis Marshall (8-2); Featherweight
- #13 Jalin Turner (14-8) vs. Ignacio Bahamondes (16-5); Lightweight
- Alex Morono (24-11-0-1NC) vs. Carlos Leal (21-6); Welterweight
- Brunno Ferreira (12-2) vs. Armen Petrosyan (9-4); Middleweight
- Chris Gutierrez (21-5-2) vs. Jean Matsumoto (16-0); Bantamweight
- Djorden Santos (10-1) vs. Ozzy Diaz (9-3); Middleweight
How to watch UFC 313, TV channel and start time
UFC 313 will be available through ESPN in the US. The main card will cost $79.99 on ESPN+, and the prelims will be available on UFC Fight Pass.
As for start times, the global broadcast is scheduled for the following times (subject to change with fight cancellations):
- Pacific Time PT – 3 PM (Early prelims), 5 PM (Prelims), 7 PM (Main Card)
- Eastern Time ET – 6 PM (Early prelims), 8 PM (Prelims), 10 PM (Main Card)
- British Time GMT – 11 PM (Early prelims), 1 AM (Prelims), 3 AM (Main Card)
- European Time – 12 AM (Early prelims), 2 AM (Prelims), 4 AM (Main Card)
- Australia Central Time – 10 AM (Early prelims), 11:30 AM (Prelims), 1:30 PM (Main Card)
Where is UFC 313?
UFC 313 takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
UFC 313 tickets
UFC 313 tickets are available to purchase through Ticket Master. At the time of writing [February 15], the cheapest tickets available are $352.00, and the most expensive are just shy of $4,000.
Who to watch – fighters flying under the radar at UFC 313
Mairon Santos
Santos won The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) season 32 finale with a vicious left hook knockout in August 2024. At 13-1, ‘The Legend’ is a well-rounded featherweight with crushing finishing power. He’s certainly one to watch. He’s fundamentally sound, imposing for his weight class, and has a great record.
Carlos Leal
Former LFA champion Leal fought and won in the PFL before joining the UFC. He debuted against welterweight prospect Rinat Fakhretdinov at UFC 308, where he gave his Russian opponent the toughest fight of his undefeated UFC career.
Leal lost the fight by controversial decision, much to the outrage of the UFC broadcast team. 16/16 media members scored the fight for Leal, and 87.5 percent of 582 fan scorecards had Leal winning the fight, per MMA Decisions.
If Leal can put on another performance as he did against Fakhretdinov, we should see the exciting rise of a new welterweight prospect.