Alex Pereira v Magomed Ankalaev free tips, predictions & odds

Adam Catterall previews this weekend's UFC 313 main event, the light-heavyweight title showdown between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev.

Alex Pereira v Magomed Ankalaev Tips

Alex Pereira - By KO, TKO or Disqualification @ 11/8

So, the light-heavyweight championship of the world is on the line in Las Vegas this weekend as Alex Pereira defends against the number one contender, Magomed Ankalaev.

This is the fight that every single fight fan wants to see because they genuinely believe that there is a path to victory for Ankalaev, but whether he can implement it, is an entirely different conversation.

Since stepping up to light-heavyweight, Pereira has been absolutely phenomenal and rightfully sits at the top of the tree in the pound-for-pound conversations.

It's a fourth title defence in a 12 month period and the guy is on a hot-streak - everything he appears to touch, turns to gold.

Ankalaev has had a little bit of a bump, but he is an elite-level operator, and he has a live chance this weekend, that is for sure.

He can wrestle, but he often chooses not to use those skills, and I think it would be crackers if he opts not to use those skills.

His finishes tend to come from his hands, he grounds and pounds people, he knock people out and he gets people out of there via strikes - there are no submission victories in the UFC for Ankalaev as of yet.

Ankalaev simply has to show Pereira a different look, he can't stand and bang with him because as we have seen in the past, there is nobody more dangerous than the reigning champion in the light-heavyweight division.

If he can get Pereira on the back foot a little bit early doors, then we may well have a fight on our hands - but he has to start fast and he has to fight with his hands, but, that said, I am still favouring Pereira to come through.

My gut feeling is that he will opt to stand toe-to-toe, fight him and get found out as a consequence of that, with Pereira ending the show in his typically emphatic fashion.

All odds were correct and available at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal and fluctuation.

Adam Catterall

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