Pereira-Ankalaev, Gaethje-Hooker set for UFC 313

UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will defend his title against Magomed Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 313 on March 8 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the promotion announced Saturday.

Justin Gaethje will face Dan Hooker in a five-round lightweight bout in the co-main event.

Pereira defended the belt three times in 2024, stopping Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka, and, most recently, Khalil Rountree Jr. in a back-and-forth thriller at UFC 307 in October. Pereira, a former middleweight champ, captured the 205-pound throne in late 2023.

Ankalaev has been the most deserving title contender for a while and will finally get a second chance to claim the strap. The Russian is coming off a unanimous decision win over Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308 in October. He's riding a 13-fight unbeaten streak and hasn't lost since his UFC debut in 2018.

Ankalaev's first title shot came against Jan Blachowicz in 2022, but the fight ended in a split draw.

Gaethje, a former interim lightweight and BMF champion, is looking to rebound from a shocking knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300 last April. Hooker, meanwhile, is coming off an upset win over Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305 last August.