Three Fights That Can Steal the Show at UFC 313
UFC returns to T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas this Saturday for UFC 313. The marquee matchup on the card is the headliner championship fight between reigning Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev. However, there are three other fights on this card that you can’t miss. They have a great chance at getting fight of the night and bonus money.
Joshua Van vs. Rei Tsuruya
This is an intriguing matchup between two exciting prospects in the flyweight division. Stylistically this is a fascinating fight between one of the best pure strikers in Joshua Van and a relentless grappler in Rei Tsuruya. The classic striker versus wrestler matchup is usually not exciting, but with the way Van can mix up his combinations and pick his opponents apart on the outside versus the way Tsuruya can transition on the ground and is always hunting for submissions makes wherever this fight plays out to be non-stop action. Van is no slouch on the mat as well as Tsuruya on the feet, but the winner will most likely be the person who can keep the fight in their element the longest. Both fighters will be aiming for an impressive win in a flyweight division that is already seeing major movement in the rankings in 2025.
Jalin Turner vs. Ignacio Bahamondes
Jalin Turner was thought of as a potential title contender one day due to his incredible size and striking ability at lightweight. Unfortunately, with two split decision losses and a comeback lost in his last fight against Renato Moicano, he was on the brink of hanging it up. With his mind clear on making another run at the top, he has a favorable matchup against Ignacio Bahamondes. Bahamondes made a statement in his last fight when he upset Manuel Torres in the first round, knocking him with a stiff counter right. He showed that his striking at this weight class could be a real problem and facing off against another prolific striker means there are fireworks in store. Both fighters are six foot two and have a long reach, so the cross matching and strategies that could be implemented are going to be fun to watch. Each fighter processes a lot of power from long range and in the pocket so a breathtaking knockout could be in store at any moment during this fight. You're not going to want to miss a second of this fight.
Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev
After Dan Hooker got hurt and was forced to withdraw from his co-main event fight against Justin Gaethje this fight card appeal was in jeopardy. However, stepping in on short notice one year after tearing his ACL against Mateusz Gamrot is the striking sensation Rafael Fiziev. This is a rematch from their previous bout that took place in 2023 with Gaethje pulling off the decision victory in a slug fest. The first fight was electric, Fiziev showed off his otherworldly speed in the pocket and Gaethje showed off his immense power. As the fight went on, the veteran Gaethje was able to pull away inch by inch. The moment may have been a bit too bright for Fiziev, but having this once in a lifetime opportunity to climb in the top three of the lightweight division that is frequently looking for a new challenger to step up might bring out a new side to him. We will see how Fiziev can fare coming back from injury, but if he is the fighter he was before, he has a great chance at pulling this off. Gaethje has been in so many wars and after getting brutally knocked out at the buzzer in his last fight against Max Holloway his remarkable chin may be on its way out. This fight has potential to be even better than the first fight with one fighter having so much to gain and the other having so much to lose. If there was a fight to circle on this card including the main event, it would, without a doubt, be this one.
