UFC 313 may be in the rearview mirror, but its headliner—a light heavyweight title showdown between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev—continues to dominate discussions. The bout’s unexpected outcome left the MMA world stunned, including UFC CEO Dana White, who admitted, “It was not what I expected.” Many had anticipated the Dagestani would lean heavily on his wrestling, presenting a tough challenge for the Brazilian. However, Pereira was able to defend all 12 of Ankalaev’s takedown attempts.
On the other hand, the majority of the fight fans were counting on Pereira’s devastating left hook to send ‘Big Ank’ into the shadow realm. However, as the final horn sounded, Ankalaev shocked the world and clinched the 205lbs gold. This was on the back of a striking masterclass that kept the Brazilian on his back foot. Despite an improved ground game, the relentless pressure and strategic control from Ankalaev threw the former champion off his rhythm, leaving him vulnerable.
This certainly left a bad taste in the mouth of many in the fight community who expected the ‘fan-friendly’ and ‘merchandise-selling’ champion to retain his belt. In addition, many labeled the contest as a downright ‘robbery’ owing to the lack of fireworks and a rather stale phase during the clinch and subsequent exchanges against the cage. On segment #2289 of The Joe Rogan Experience, Joe Rogan revisited the fight while speaking with his guest, Darryl Cooper, host of The MartyrMade Podcast.
Having witnessed the fight firsthand from the commentary booth alongside Jon Anik and Daniel Cormier, Rogan shared his perspective: “The Ankalaev and Pereira fight was incredible. Even though some fans didn’t love it because it wasn’t a wild knockout or an all-out brawl, it was a masterclass in technique. Ankalaev did a phenomenal job neutralizing the scariest guy in the division.”
Cooper agreed, emphasizing that Ankalaev’s approach to Pereira was more about psychological warfare, which ultimately threw ‘Poatan’ off balance. He explained, “You can’t just succeed by being aggressive.” Joe Rogan then reminded listeners of the immense skill of both fighters, warning against underestimating Magomed Ankalaev’s knockout power: “While Pereira is undoubtedly great, don’t forget—Ankalaev has knocked out some of the best in the division,” the UFC commentator pointed out.
March 8, 2025, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA: MAGOMED ANKALAEV 21-1-1, 1 NC of Teletl, Russia defeats ALEX PEREIRA 12-3-0 of SoÂo Paulo, Brazil by unanimous decision 49-46, 48-47, 48-47 during UFC 313 at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas Las Vegas USA – ZUMAo117 20250308_zsp_o117_021 Copyright: xMikaelxOnax
Indeed, Ankalaev’s performance was far more than just aggressive fighting; it was a tactical masterpiece, designed to disrupt Alex Pereira’s rhythm and push him into unfamiliar territory. Fully aware of the rare opportunity he had long awaited, the Russian powerhouse made sure not to let it slip away.
Meanwhile, the Brazilian found it difficult to impose his usual pressure on Ankalaev throughout the entire five rounds. When the final bell rang, it sent ripples through the division, creating shockwaves that continue to be felt. But there’s even more to Joe Rogan’s analysis—let’s take a closer look.
Joe Rogan breaks down how Magomed Ankalaev outclassed the “uncharacteristic” Alex Pereira
“I don’t know if they appreciate me yet, but after this fight, they will make sure to appreciate me,” Magomed Ankalaev declared before stepping into the Octagon against Alex Pereira at UFC 313. For years, Dana White and the UFC brass had overlooked the Russian powerhouse, who believed he deserved a title shot “a long time ago.” However, he hoped his moment had finally arrived—and by the end of the night, he proved exactly why!
Despite fighting during Ramadan, the Dagestani stepped up, putting everything on the line. When the final bell rang, he stood as the new light heavyweight champion, becoming the third UFC titleholder from Dagestan after Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev. His dominant performance silenced doubters and earned him global recognition—including praise from Joe Rogan.
March 8, 2025, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA: MAGOMED ANKALAEV 21-1-1, 1 NC of Teletl, Russia defeats ALEX PEREIRA 12-3-0 of SoÂo Paulo, Brazil by unanimous decision 49-46, 48-47, 48-47 during UFC 313 at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas Las Vegas USA – ZUMAo117 20250308_zsp_o117_029 Copyright: xMikaelxOnax
Following UFC 313, Rogan hailed Ankalaev’s victory over Alex Pereira as a defining moment: “Now he’s the champion of the world, against the most devastating champion we’ve seen in years.” Breaking down the fight further, Rogan highlighted the Dagestani native’s strategic brilliance: “There were only a couple of moments where Pereira stunned him—the head kick and a few other good shots—but for the most part, Ankalaev controlled the distance, applied pressure, and forced ‘Poatan’ into an uncharacteristic position: backing up and avoiding shots.
What are your thoughts on the Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev fight? While it wasn’t a wild brawl, do you agree with Joe Rogan that it was still one of the best fights? Share your honest opinion below!
The post “It Wasn’t Some Crazy Result” – Joe Rogan Defies ‘Robbery’ in Alex Pereira vs Magomed Ankalaev UFC 313 Fight appeared first on EssentiallySports.
