check the time, where to watch live, and the full card with Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev

CHAMA OU NÃO CHAMA? A encarada entre 🇧🇷 Alex Poatan e 🇷🇺 Magomed Ankalaev na coletiva de imprensa do UFC 313. pic.twitter.com/1JVfmOI7DN

— MMA Melotto (@MMAmelotto) March 7, 2025

Another spotlight of the night is the co-main event, pitting Justin Gaethje against Rafael Fiziev in a highly anticipated rematch in the lightweight division. After a close fight in 2023, won by Gaethje via majority decision, both fighters vow to raise the stakes even higher. With a stacked card featuring rising stars and seasoned veterans, UFC 313 positions itself as one of the year’s most eagerly awaited events, captivating casual viewers and die-hard MMA fans alike.

Clash of titans: Alex Pereira faces his toughest challenge

Alex Pereira steps into the octagon with a 12-2 MMA record, including 9-1 in the UFC, and an aura of invincibility few have managed to crack. Since capturing the light heavyweight title in November 2023 with a knockout over Jiri Prochazka, the Brazilian has defended his belt three times, all ending before the final bell: against Prochazka again, Jamahal Hill, and most recently Khalil Rountree Jr. in October 2024. At 37, Pereira is renowned for his surgical striking precision, a skill honed during his decorated kickboxing career, where he ruled two divisions in Glory. At UFC 313, he faces an opponent who could alter the course of his reign.

Magomed Ankalaev boasts a 20-1-1 MMA record, with an 11-1-1 mark in the UFC. His lone loss in the promotion came in his 2018 debut, submitted by Paul Craig in the final seconds of the third round. Since then, the 32-year-old Russian has been unstoppable, riding a 13-fight unbeaten streak that includes a draw with Jan Blachowicz in 2022 for the vacant title and recent wins over Johnny Walker and Aleksandar Rakic in 2024. Ankalaev is viewed as a complete fighter, with grappling skills that could neutralize Pereira’s stand-up game.

The UFC 313 main event is steeped in tactical intrigue. Pereira relies on his power and timing to chase another knockout, while Ankalaev aims to leverage his versatility to take the fight to the ground, where he believes he holds the edge. Analysts suggest this could be the most evenly matched fight of Pereira’s championship run, pitting the Brazilian against an opponent who doesn’t solely depend on striking to win. The official weigh-ins on Friday, March 7, showed both athletes in peak condition, with Pereira hitting 204.5 pounds and Ankalaev coming in at 204.9 pounds, both within the division’s limit.

Schedule and broadcast: how to watch UFC 313 live

For Brazilian fans, UFC 313 kicks off early and stretches into the early hours. The preliminary fights begin at 6:30 p.m. Brasília time, with the main card starting at midnight, and the Pereira vs. Ankalaev bout expected around 2 a.m. Sunday, depending on earlier fight durations. In Brazil, the event airs exclusively on Sony Sports Network on TV and streams on SonyLIV, offering full coverage.

In the United States, the schedule adjusts to 6 p.m. Eastern Time for prelims and 10 p.m. for the main card. ESPN+ handles the broadcast, with the pay-per-view priced at $79.99 for subscribers, while early prelims stream on UFC Fight Pass. In the UK, TNT Sports airs the event, with the main card starting at 3 a.m. Sunday, London time. The global reach underscores the UFC’s soaring popularity, drawing viewers from dozens of countries for each numbered event.

Fans can also catch UFC 313 in public venues. In Las Vegas, the T-Mobile Arena will be packed, with sold-out tickets ranging from $352 to nearly $4,000. Bars and restaurants worldwide, especially in major cities, are expected to screen the fights live, creating an electric atmosphere for MMA enthusiasts.

Full fight card: explore all UFC 313 matchups

UFC 313 isn’t just about the main event. With 12 confirmed bouts, the card blends established stars with up-and-coming talents. The main card, starting at midnight in Brazil, features five high-stakes fights, while the prelims and early prelims round out the night with matchups that could shape multiple divisions.

Here’s the complete UFC 313 lineup:

• Light heavyweight (title): Alex Pereira (12-2) vs. Magomed Ankalaev (20-1-1)
• Lightweight: Justin Gaethje (25-5) vs. Rafael Fiziev (12-3)
• Lightweight: Jalin Turner (14-8) vs. Ignacio Bahamondes (16-5)
• Women’s strawweight: Amanda Lemos (14-4-1) vs. Iasmin Lucindo (17-5)
• Lightweight: King Green (32-16-1) vs. Mauricio Ruffy (11-1)

The prelims, starting at 6:30 p.m. Brasília time, highlight Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev in the heavyweight division and Joshua Van vs. Rei Tsuruya in the flyweight class. Early prelims at 4:30 p.m. feature Mairon Santos, TUF 32 winner, and Chris Gutierrez, who stepped in as a last-minute replacement. Each fight was meticulously booked to keep the event’s momentum relentless.

Rules and details: what to expect inside the octagon

Inside the octagon, UFC 313 adheres to standard UFC rules. The title fight between Pereira and Ankalaev is set for five five-minute rounds, with judges’ scorecards deciding the outcome if there’s no finish. The same applies to other main card bouts, except for Gaethje vs. Fiziev, a three-round affair due to Dan Hooker’s late withdrawal, though it still carries massive knockout potential.

Preparation has been grueling for the fighters. Pereira, recently in Australia, returned in time to acclimate and train with his Connecticut-based team under Glover Teixeira. Ankalaev arrived in Las Vegas weeks earlier, sharpening his game plan at the UFC Performance Institute. These contrasting final approaches could play a role in their performances, especially in a fight demanding stamina and focus.

The event will feature Jon Anik on play-by-play, joined by commentators Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier for in-depth analysis. Veteran referees like Marc Goddard will oversee the action, ensuring fairness, particularly in the pivotal main event.

Stats and trivia: what’s at stake in UFC 313

The numbers behind UFC 313 are striking and highlight its significance. Alex Pereira, with 75% of his UFC wins by knockout, faces an Ankalaev who has 50% of his victories via the same method but also boasts a submission game that has secured key wins. Together, they hold 32 career victories with just three combined losses, underscoring the caliber of this matchup.

Some standout trivia about the event:

• Pereira is the most active champion in recent years, with five title fights in roughly 16 months.
• Ankalaev holds the longest active unbeaten streak in the light heavyweight division at 13 fights.
• Gaethje and Fiziev earned “Fight of the Night” honors in their 2023 clash.
• Amanda Lemos, the only other Brazilian on the card besides Pereira, aims to reclaim her spot atop the strawweight division.

The co-main event carries historical weight too, with Gaethje, a former interim lightweight champ, looking to rebound from a 2024 loss to Max Holloway, while Fiziev seeks redemption after nearly two years without a win. These bouts could reshape the lightweight and light heavyweight landscapes.

Event timeline: plan your UFC 313 viewing

UFC 313 follows a tight schedule tailored to global audiences. In Brazil, the timeline is:

• 4:30 p.m.: Early prelims (SonyLIV and Sony Sports Network)
• 6:30 p.m.: Prelims (SonyLIV and Sony Sports Network)
• Midnight: Main card (SonyLIV pay-per-view)

In the U.S., early prelims start at 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time, with the main card at 7 p.m. The official weigh-ins on Friday at noon Pacific Time set the stage, with Pereira and Ankalaev’s first face-off already ramping up the rivalry. No last-minute cancellations were reported, locking in all fights.

For UK viewers, the main card begins at 3 a.m. Sunday, requiring late-night commitment. The event’s total runtime is expected to exceed five hours, depending on fight lengths, testing the endurance of devoted fans.

Global spotlight: Las Vegas hosts MMA’s elite

Las Vegas, the fight capital of the world, welcomes another blockbuster UFC event in style. The T-Mobile Arena, seating around 20,000, will host a spectacle blending sport and entertainment. The city has a storied history with the UFC, including UFC 300, and UFC 313 aims to uphold that legacy with a card showcasing the sport’s technical and competitive peak.

Fighters from Brazil, Russia, the U.S., and Chile, among others, highlight the event’s international flair. Pereira, the night’s biggest draw, carries the hopes of millions of Brazilians, while Ankalaev represents Dagestan’s storied fighting tradition, known for producing stars like Khabib Nurmagomedov. This mix of cultures and fighting styles elevates UFC 313, reflecting MMA’s evolution over decades.

With sold-out tickets and a projected global viewership in the millions, the event boosts Las Vegas’s economy, drawing tourists and filling bars, hotels, and casinos. March 8 will be a defining night for fans and the UFC’s legacy, with fights poised to shape the sport’s future.