Our UFC 313 preview focuses on T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas which plays host to UFC 313 this weekend with a huge Light Heavyweight title fight headlining the card.
Alex Pereira remains the UFC’s biggest star and he is looking to defend his belt for a fourth time when he takes on Magomed Ankalaev who has just one loss in 22 professional MMA fights.
One of the most exciting lightweight’s the sport has ever seen, Justin Gaethje, will face Rafael Fiziev in the co main event but there are a plethora of quality fights to look forward to.
We are again on the hunt to make a profit and our thoughts and betting plays can be found below.
Alex Pereira vs Magomed Ankalaev
After losing his debut professional MMA fight by submission back in 2015, Alex Pereira has lost just once more in 13 fights inside the octagon.
An incredible feat considering the majority of his combat sports career was in kickboxing where he had 40 fights.
He was a two weight division champion in kickboxing and achieved the same in MMA within the UFC and he has cemented his legacy as an all time great of the sport.
He beat Jiri Prochazka twice either side of a brutal KO win over Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree was no match for the Brazilian striker at the end of 2024.
Magomed Ankalaev’s only professional MMA loss was an extremely late submission loss to Paul Craig when making his UFC debut back in 2018.
He was destined to fight for the Light Heavyweight title but a draw against Jan Blachowicz and DQ against Johnny Walker halted that dream.
This is a battle between two top quality strikers and there are few that would argue that this is Pereira’s biggest challenge since facing Israel Adesanya in the Middleweight division.
Many once thought that the key to beating Pereira involved getting him to the canvas but, just like Izzy, it is easier said than done and opens you up to his striking upon entry.
The punters are struggling to work this one out from a head to head point of view but I’m confident the judges will not be needed.
2 Units Fight To End In KO/TKO @ $1.65
Justin Gaethje vs Rafael Fiziev
Gaethje was booked to fight Dan Hooker in this co main event, and while this fight fan was struggling to keep his excitement in check for that fight, we have a very good replacement.
The former interim lightweight champion lost both his fights to become the lineal champion against Khabib and Charles Oliveira but got his hands on the BMF title when beating Dustin Poirier in 2023.
We haven’t seen him since he was viciously knocked out by Max Holloway in April last year in one of the most exciting finishes that has ever existed in the sport.
Rafael Fiziev had one loss in his first 13 pro MMA fights and he ascended the lightweight division very quickly.
His title aspirations were put on hold with a very close decision loss to Gaethje in early 2023 which earned fight of the night honours.
He suffered a knee injury later that year and this is the first time we will see him since and I’m sure he’s eager to avenge that loss.
Both of these men are well rounded mixed martial artists but I’m predicting the fight will take place mainly on the feet and I’m concerned about Justin Gaethje’s chin and age.
1 Unit Rafael Fiziev by KO/TKO
Jalin Turner vs Ignacio Bahamondes
Jalin Turner has been a villain to us Aussies and Kiwis in recent years having defeated Josh Culibao, Jamie Mullarkey and Brad Riddell.
He comes into this fight having lost three of his last four but it’s important to note two of those losses were via split decision against quality opponents in Dan Hooker and Mateusz Gamrot.
Ignacio Bahamondes is a Chilean fighter who won a UFC contract through Dana White’s Contender Series back in 2020 and has won five of his seven fights since.
Four of those wins have been finishes including head kick KO and a rare Brabo choke submission.
Two dangerous guys that can end this fight with one strike and fight fans are in for a treat.
A flip of the coin from a betting perspective but I’m siding with Jalin Turner who can use his reach advantage and mix up his striking to gain an advantage.
1 Unit Jalin Turner To Win @ $1.90
Amanda Lemos vs Iasmin Lucindo
Amanda Lemos has been at the top of the Women’s Strawweight division for quite some time.
She failed in her only title fight against Weili Zhang in 2023 but bounced back with a decision win over Mackenzie Dern six months later.
We last saw her against Virna Jandiroba in July of 2024 where she lost via submission in the second round.
Brazilian Iasmin Lucindo earns this fight against a top challenger in the division after stringing together four wins in a row as she eyes off a title fight in the near future.
A submission win over Polyvana Viana in 2023 was followed by decision wins over Karolina Kowalkiewicz and Marina Rodriguez during 2024.
I’m predicting a very close fight between two well rounded women and because of this I’m siding with the outsider in the market in what will be a tough one for the judges to score.
1 Unit Amanda Lemos By Decision
Bobby Green vs Mauricio Ruffy
King Bobby Green made his debut in the UFC back in 2023 and enters his 51st professional MMA fight on Sunday.
At 38 years of age it seems his best is behind him but he has had recent victories over Tony Ferguson, Jim Miller and Grant Dawson.
Mauricio Ruffy has won 10 of 11 since making his pro MMA debut in 2016 and 9 of those wins have been won by knockout hence the nickname ‘One Shot’.
He won a UFC contract through Dana White’s Contender Series in 2023 and he’s two from two in the biggest MMA promotion in the world.
Bobby Green got slept by Paddy Pimblett in his last fight via a submission and although the old dog still has some fight in him, I’m concerned he’s coming to the end.
1 Unit Mauricio Ruffy By KO/TKO