UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira clarifies that he was never ducking Magomed Ankalaev. Ankalaev (20-1-1 MMA, 11-1-1 UFC) has been heavily campaigning to fight Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC), but was passed up for a title fight on several occasions.

Alex Pereira says he requested to fight Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 in March as he wanted to prove he wasn't ducking him.

Undisputed UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will return to action at UFC 313 when he takes on Russian contender Magomed Ankalaev on March 8.

Ankalaev (19-1-1, 1 NC) is ranked No. 1 in the UFC's official light heavyweight rankings. He's undefeated in his last 13 UFC fights and most recently defeated Aleksandar Rakic. Ankalaev previously fought Jan Blachowicz for the vacant light heavyweight title in 2022, which ended in a split draw.

Magomed Ankalaev made a bold comment recently when looking ahead at his upcoming challenge of Alex Pereira and his UFC light heavyweight championship crown.

After a historic 2024 campaign, UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has his first assignment of the new year. Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) will attempt to make a fourth consecutive defense of his belt when he takes on streaking contender Magomed Ankalaev

Alex Pereira will make his fourth UFC light heavyweight title defence against No. 1 ranked contender Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 on March 8, live on TNT Sports.

Magomed Ankalaev promises to punish Alex Pereira in the UFC 313 main event, setting the stage for an intense showdown in the Octagon.

Alex Pereira will make the fourth defense of his light heavyweight title against top contender Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 in March.