Magomed Ankalaev secured the UFC light heavyweight championship with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Alex Pereira at UFC 313 on Saturday, handing the Brazilian his first loss in the division, MySportDab Reports.
The Russian, unbeaten since 2018, imposed his pressure-heavy style, neutralizing Pereira’s striking with relentless forward movement and superior grappling.
Ankalaev kept the former kickboxing champion pinned against the fence for large portions of the fight, draining his energy and limiting his ability to strike effectively.
“I can’t even put it into words. It has been such a long wait. Here’s my dream, and it’s on my waist,” Ankalaev said after finally claiming UFC gold, following his controversial split draw against Jan Blachowicz in a previous title fight.
Pereira started aggressively, targeting Ankalaev’s lead leg with powerful kicks. However, the Russian responded in the second round, landing a clean left hand that wobbled Pereira just before the bell.
Ankalaev maintained the pressure in the third, delivering close-range knees while fending off takedown attempts. By the fourth round, his superior wrestling took over, pinning Pereira against the fence and sapping his energy.
With his corner urging him to fight back, Pereira pressed forward in the final round and landed a head kick, but it wasn’t enough to change the judges’ decision. The loss marked just the third defeat of his MMA career.
“The plan was to pressure, pressure, pressure,” Ankalaev explained. “Everyone tries to counter him, but I wanted to fight as the number one.”
Pereira remained defiant in defeat. “I knew this would be a war, but I don’t think he did much damage. I’ll take a few days off and get back to training—this is my life,” he said.
