With UFC 313 just hours away, the anticipation surrounding the light heavyweight title clash between champion Alex “Poatan” Pereira and challenger Magomed Ankalaev has reached a fever pitch. As the MMA world gears up for Saturday’s main event at T-Mobile Arena, several prominent UFC fighters have stepped forward with their predictions, offering a mix of insights, bold calls, and cautious analyses. These forecasts, circulating widely on social media and in interviews, highlight the stylistic intrigue of this matchup, pitting Pereira’s devastating striking against Ankalaev’s grappling prowess, and have sparked heated debates among fans as the fight looms.

Pereira, the 37-year-old Brazilian knockout artist, enters the octagon with a 12-2 record, boasting an undefeated 5-0 streak in the light heavyweight division since moving up from middleweight in 2023. His 2024 campaign was nothing short of spectacular, with three title defenses—knockouts of Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka, and Khalil Rountree Jr.—earning him the No. 2 pound-for-pound ranking. Ankalaev, a 32-year-old Dagestani wrestler with a 20-1-1 record, brings a 13-fight unbeaten streak, including a recent unanimous decision win over Aleksandar Rakic, positioning him as the No. 1 contender. The fight’s stakes are high, with odds currently tight—Pereira at -120 and Ankalaev at +100—reflecting the uncertainty of this clash.

Among the predictors, former middleweight contender and training partner Gilbert Burns offered a measured take, suggesting Pereira’s experience will prevail. “I think ‘Poatan’ does ‘Poatan’—he’s gonna bring that chama energy and win by decision after five rounds,” Burns said on a recent podcast. “Ankalaev is tough, but if Pereira’s leg kicks land like they did against Prochazka, he’ll control the fight.” Burns noted Ankalaev’s vulnerability to striking, referencing his struggles against Jan Blachowicz, but acknowledged the Russian’s grappling could pose a threat if the fight hits the mat.

In contrast, Jamahal Hill, a former light heavyweight champion and Pereira’s UFC 300 victim, threw a curveball, predicting an Ankalaev upset. “I know I’m gonna get hate for this, but I’m picking Magomed,” Hill said in a video interview. “Pereira’s striking is lethal, but Ankalaev’s wrestling could grind him down if he gets it to the ground. I see a decision win for the challenger.” Hill’s prediction, shared widely online, has stirred controversy, with some fans questioning his objectivity given his knockout loss to Pereira.

Jiri Prochazka, another fighter knocked out by Pereira in 2024, took a more neutral stance, emphasizing Ankalaev’s need to leverage his strengths. “If Ankalaev stays on his feet, it’s trouble for him—Pereira’s power is unreal,” Prochazka told reporters. “But if he uses his wrestling and takes Poatan down, he has a shot. It’s 50-50.” This aligns with sentiments from other fighters like Jan Blachowicz, who suggested Ankalaev must avoid a striking battle to succeed, a view echoed in online discussions.

The predictions reflect the fight’s stylistic dichotomy. Pereira’s counter-striking and leg kicks, honed from his kickboxing background, are seen as a potential edge, especially given Ankalaev’s past susceptibility to lower-leg attacks. However, Ankalaev’s Greco-Roman wrestling and clinch game, bolstered by his Dagestani training, could neutralize Pereira’s stand-up if he secures takedowns—a strategy some fighters believe he must prioritize. Pereira’s improved grappling defense under coach Glover Teixeira adds another layer, though his limited exposure to elite wrestlers like Ankalaev leaves room for doubt.

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Social media buzz, particularly on X, amplifies the divide. Fans are split between Pereira’s knockout potential and Ankalaev’s durability, with some predicting a third-round finish for “Poatan” and others banking on Ankalaev’s stamina for a decision. Critics of the establishment narrative around Pereira’s dominance argue the odds undervalue Ankalaev’s unbeaten streak, while others question whether the UFC’s promotion of Pereira as a superstar inflates his chances. These sentiments, while inconclusive, underscore the fight’s unpredictability.

As UFC 313 approaches, the fighter predictions paint a picture of a razor-thin contest. Whether Pereira’s striking overwhelms or Ankalaev’s grappling prevails, the outcome could redefine the light heavyweight division. The event, airing live on ESPN+ PPV at 10 PM ET, promises a showdown that will test both men’s limits.

Stay tuned for real-time updates on X as UFC 313 unfolds, where this battle of styles will finally be settled.