Undisputed UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will return to action at UFC 313 when he takes on Russian contender Magomed Ankalaev on March 8.

Alex Pereira will make his fourth UFC light heavyweight title defence against No. 1 ranked contender Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 on March 8, live on TNT Sports.

UFC 313 now has one of those matchups that gets the “That has Fight of the Night written all over it” attachment.

Ankalaev (19-1-1, 1 NC) is ranked No. 1 in the UFC's official light heavyweight rankings. He's undefeated in his last 13 UFC fights and most recently defeated Aleksandar Rakic. Ankalaev previously fought Jan Blachowicz for the vacant light heavyweight title in 2022, which ended in a split draw.

Retired mixed marshal arts star Tim Kennedy said he was “flabbergasted” when he learned that Matthew Livelsberger is believed to be behind the Jan. 1 blast that injured 7.

Alex Pereira will make the fourth defense of his light heavyweight title against top contender Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 in March.

Starting with the challenger, Ankalaev is getting his second crack at the light heavyweight title. His first shot came in December 2022 when he fought Jan Blachowicz to a draw. Ankalaev hasn’t lost since 2018 when he was submitted in the final seconds against Paul Craig.