Alex Pereira’s next fight has been officially announced.
Pereira will fight number one ranked heavyweight Magomed Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 313.
MMA fans went crazy after an official UFC account announced the main event clash in a quickly-deleted post online.
However, the top light heavyweight clash was soon revealed as official during UFC 311’s broadcast.
UFC 313 is scheduled to take place on March 9 at the T-Mobile Arena in vegasand MMA fans were rapid with their reactions to the event online.
One took to X and said: “No way.”
While another added: “This is going to be wild.”
A third said: “If Pereira pulls this off he passes Khabib [Nurmagomedov] in the top 10 of all time.
While a fourth simple stated “Banger.”
UFC light heavyweight champion Pereira defended his title three times in 2024, knocking out Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr.
His last octagon appearance was a bloody affair against Rountree Jr, although he eventually got the finish in the fourth round at UFC 307.
MMA’s biggest league also released details on another fan favourite’s next fight in the UFC.
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Justin Gaethje will take on Dan Hooker in a lightweight bout in the co-main event of UFC 313.
Gaethje hasn’t fought in the UFC since he was knocked out by Max Holloway at UFC 300.
‘The Highlight’ once challenged UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightweight belt in October 2020, and has victories over some of the best fighters in the world.
Before losing to Holloway, Gaethje racked up consecutive wins against Dustin Poirier and Rafael Fiziev.
Both of Pereira’s and Gaethje’s fights are five-round bouts.
Jailton Almeida had just knocked out Serghei Spivac at UFC 311 when UFC commentator, alongside co-commentators Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier revealed the two headline acts.
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Reinier de Ridder submitted Kevin Holland on the main card too, after Raoni Barcelos had picked up a shock victory over rising bantamweight Payton Talbott.
