Alex Pereira Faces Toughest Test Yet at UFC 313

From the moment Alex Pereira made his UFC debut, in late 2021, the former middleweight champion — and current Light Heavyweight champ — has been one of the promotion’s dominant forces.

A loss to old rival Israel Adesanya aside, Pereira has rarely even been tested in his 10 UFC fights, with as many first-round stoppages (two) as decisions. Pereira staked his claim as the UFC’s best pound-for-pound fighter in 2024, with three title defences inside six months.    

That claim — and the light heavyweight belt — will face its toughest test yet, however, at UFC 313. In Dagestani fighter Magomed Ankalaev, Pereira will be challenged by a fighter whose record is similarly flawless.

Since a loss in his UFC debut, in March 2018, Ankalaev is 11-0-1 (1). With the draw coming in a fight against Jan Blachowicz for the then-vacant light heavyweight championship, Saturday night in Las Vegas represents a chance at redemption.

With two nearly flawless fighters squaring off, UFC 313 odds illustrate the fine margins at hand in Vegas. Pereira is a -125 favourite at BET99*, with Ankalaev coming back at -105 — a split of less than 4.5% in terms of implied probability.

The narrow margin between Pereira and Ankalaev in the UFC betting market represents just how closely aligned the pair have been since their ascent into the promotion. Seemingly, neither have faced a foe worthy of their incredible ability.

It’s fitting, then, that they will finally get that deserved test on Saturday — when they touch gloves and battle for the UFC light heavyweight championship.

Click here for more UFC 313 betting markets at BET99.

*Odds as of March 3, 2025.