Bad News! UFC 313 Loses 2 fights on the fight day

UFC 313 is live today from T-mobile arena from Las Vegas, Nevada. Light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will fight against #1 contender Magomed Ankalaev in the main event and former two time title challenger Justin Gaethje will battle Rafael Fiziev in their rematch.

However, two of the fights from the highly anticipated fight card has is cancelled at the last moment due to some unfavorable conditions.

Former heavyweight title contender Curtis Blaydes was set to share octagon with Russian fighter Rizvan Kuniev. Unfortunately, now it is now announce that Curtis Blaydes fell ill just hours before their scheduled bout.

A featherweight fight between John Castaneda and Chris Gutirrez is also called off after illness to John Castaneda. the promotion announced these news earlier today.

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UFC 313 updated fight card

UFC 313 PRELIMS : 6.30 PM ET/ 3.30 PM PT

125 lbs.: Joshua Van vs. Rei Tsuruya

185 lbs.: Brunno Ferreira vs. Armen Petrosyan

170 lbs.: Alex Morono vs. Carlos Leal

145 lbs.: Mairon Santos vs. Francis Marshall

185 lbs.: Djorden Santos vs. Ozzy Diaz

UFC 313 MAIN CARD : 10 PM ET/ 7 PM PT

LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT : ALEX “POATAN” PEREIRA Ⓒ VS. MAGOMED ANKALAEV #1

LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT : JUSTIN “HIGHLIGHT” GAETHJE #3 VS. RAFAEL “ATAMAN” FIZIEV #11

LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT : JALIN TURNER #13 VS. IGNACIO BAHAMONDES

WOMENS STRAWWEIGHT : AMANDA LEMOS #5 VS. IASMIN LUCINDO #7

LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT : KING GREEN VS. MAURICIO RUFFY

An illness has forced both Curtis Blaydes and John Castaneda from their scheduled fights just hours before #UFC313 pic.twitter.com/NNtZYhadtg
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) March 8, 2025

Bad blood between the headliners

During the press conference Magomed Ankalaev said he will dominate and send the 205 champion back to tire shop. The tire shop reference was a taunt To Alex Pereira as he was working in a tire shop during his struggling days. However this was not the first time Ankalaev went low. one of his earlier tweets the dagestani native claimed Pereira goes to UFC Fights for alcohol and accused him of still drinking.

@AlexPereiraUFC he go to all UFC fight to get free alcohol and get camera time on the other hand. I’ve been training so hard March 8 alcohol not help you. CHMA
— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) January 20, 2025

UFC 313 main event in a nutshell

UFC 313 is set to be Alex Pereira’s fourth title defence in the light-heavyweight division. the “Poatan” has has victories over the likes of Jamahal Hill , Jiri Prochazka and Jan Blachowicz in 205 weight category. Pereira also claimed middleweight championship after beating his arch nemesis Israel Adesanya. Nonetheless, Pereira’s critics points out the fact that he has not fought any High level wrestlers in his MMA career and therefore, Magomed Ankalaev could present a great threat as a result.

Magomed Ankalaev on the other hand has already fought for the 205 crown in 2022 against Jan Blachowicz for majority draw which many believed Ankalaev did enough to secure a victory. The Dagestani native then rebounded with victories over Johny Walker and Aleksander Rakic. Ankalaev also has several victories under his belt which Includes Anthony Smith, Thiago Santos and former title challenger Volkan Oezdamir.

Keys to victory

Magomed Ankalaev, a Dagestani native possess sambo background which transitioned into global phenomenon in recent years. Ankalaev’s gameplan needs to be more focused on takedowns and avoiding standing exchanges and be cautious about lower kick.

Alex Pereira’s greatest weapon is his left hook which he sets up with walking his opponents down. Pereira has to set up his Lower kicks as Ankalaev was having tough day against leg kicks by Jan Blachowicz. Alex has to setup lower kicks Early On to Hinder wrestlers movements in the fight as a counter to contenders takedown attempts. Most Importantly takedown defence as Ankalaev will surely plans to take Alex Pereira into deep waters.