The UFC 313 main event between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev isn’t just about the championship belt—it’s a battle fueled by tension, history, and a challenge beyond the Octagon. As the two warriors prepare for a high-stakes showdown, a proposed wager has stirred controversy, adding another layer of intrigue to the clash.
Magomed Alibulatovich Ankalaev is a Russian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and the first Russian to win the championship. As of March 11 2025, he is #6 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings.
Ankalaev is the former light heavyweight champion of the World Fighting Championship Akhmat and the 2016 Akhmat FC Light Heavyweight Grand Prix winner.
Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira: A bet that shook the MMA world
Ankalaev earned the title shot after a 13-fight triumphant streak, featuring recent wins over Johnny Walker and Aleksandar Rakić. Meanwhile, Pereira returns to the cage after making a leading case for ‘Fighter of the Year’ in 2024, featuring three successful title defenses.
Alex Sandro Silva Pereira is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and former kickboxer. He currently competes in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and UFC Middleweight Champion.
As of March 11, 2025, he is #1 in the UFC light heavyweight rankings and #8 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings. He is the ninth fighter in UFC history to become champion in two different weight divisions and the first in the organization’s middleweight and light heavyweight divisions.
In kickboxing, he is a former Glory middleweight and light heavyweight champion and the first and only fighter to hold Glory titles simultaneously in two weight classes. Pereira has also competed in promotions such as It’s Showtime and SUPERKOMBAT Fighting Championship in kickboxing and Jungle Fight and Legacy Fighting Alliance in MMA.
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The pre-fight banter between Pereira and Ankalaev hasn’t fallen short of the mark leading up to UFC 313, and things got even more interesting as fight week kicked off in Las Vegas. It all began when Pereira proposed a UFC 313 bet with Ankalaev on social media for a noble cause.
“Since you are so confident you will win, $200,000 to the winner’s charity of choice,” Pereira proposed on X. Win or lose, this will help those in need. It’s in your hands [Magomed].”
Magomed Ankalaev rejects the bet on religious grounds
It didn’t take long for Ankalaev to respond on his X account.
“As a Muslim, you know betting is forbidden in Islam, and also as a Muslim, every year I have to give 2.5% of my wealth to charity; this is one of the five pillars of Islam, Many kids worldwide are in need, and we can do things after the fight, but don’t have to publicize it. Your manager and my manager have a good relationship, and we can let them handle that. See you soon. Ramadan Mubarak.” Ankalaev said.
Pereira hasn’t responded to Ankalaev’s comments, but the two sides will meet face-to-face at the UFC 313 pre-fight press conference on Thursday. By the end of the week, we can determine whether the two light heavyweights will follow through with their proposed gamble.
In addition to the potential $200k wager, Pereira is chasing one of Jon Jones’ light heavyweight records at UFC 313. A win over Ankalaev would indicate his fourth title defense in 329 days, 35 days faster than Jones’ four-defense reign against Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, and Vitor Belfort.
Ankalaev is also inching closer to a separate Jones record at UFC 313. His 13-fight unbeaten streak is five wins away from matching Jones’ record-setting 18-fight unbeaten run during his multiple light heavyweight title reigns.
The final countdown: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira
As UFC 313 approaches, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With both men aiming to cement their legacy, the refusal of Pereira’s bet adds a fresh layer of drama to an already thrilling fight week. Will Pereira respond before fight night? And more importantly, will Ankalaev’s unbeaten streak or Pereira’s historic run end?
The world will have its answer when these two warriors finally collide in the Octagon this Saturday.