Top Five UFC Fights To Look Forward To In March

Alex Pereira v Magomed Ankalaev

When: Sunday, 09 March

The light heavyweight title is on the line in the main event of UFC 313 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas where champion Pereira and challenger Ankalaev will finally face off.

Ankalaev has been angling for a fight with Pereira since the Brazilian knockout artist won the 205-pound title in November 2023. Ankalaev had a previous crack at the then-vacant belt in 2022 but he and Jan Blachowicz fought to a draw. Unbeaten since 2018, he bested Aleksandar Rakic this past October to finally earn a shot at “Poatan.”

One of the most feared and prodigious strikers in UFC history, Pereira planted his flag as the 2023 Fighter of the Year with three successful title defences, which saw him stop Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr. Now he faces his toughest stylistic matchup against the high-level Russian grappler.

Justin Gaethje v Dan Hooker

When: Sunday, 9 March

There will be blood when two of the most violent men to ever step foot inside the Octagon battle it out in the co-headliner of UFC 313.

Some UFC athletes are competitors and others are savages. Gaethje and Hooker fall squarely in the latter category. They love nothing more than to stand and bang and are willing to take two to give one. Don’t get it twisted, these aren’t bar brawlers. They’re top-10 lightweight contenders looking to punch their ticket to a title shot.

Known as “The Highlight”, Gaethje was on the wrong side of arguably the greatest knockout in UFC history when he was slumped by Max Holloway in the final seconds of their BMF title fight last April. Don’t expect that to make him gun-shy, though. He only knows one way and that’s all out.

“The Hangman”, meanwhile, is looking for the biggest win of his career after his stunning upset of Mateusz Gamrot in August. Just to make doubly sure this will be a war, the UFC has made it a five-rounder, a distinction typically reserved for title fights or main events.

Marvin Vettori v Roman Dolidze

When: Sunday, 16 March

A returning Marvin Vettori will be welcomed back to the Octagon by a familiar foe in the main event of UFC Vegas 104 at the APEX.

After nearly two years away, Vettori jumps back into action against Dolidze, who’s determined to earn redemption as he lost the pair’s first clash by decision in March 2023.

Vettori has only fought once since then, suffering a loss to fellow former title contender Jarod Cannonier, while Dolidze is 2-1 since then with wins over Kevin Holland and Anthony Smith in 2024 following a loss to Nassourdine Imavov.

Leon Edwards v Sean Brady

When: Saturday, 22 March

Former 170-pound king Edwards returns to the Octagon against a rising star from America in the main event of UFC London at the famous O2 Arena.

Britain’s Edwards will be competing for the first time since losing the welterweight belt to Belal Muhammad last July. Prior to that, he was on a 13-fight unbeaten streak dating to 2016.

Brady has only tasted defeat once in his career, to current champion Muhammad in October 2022, and has bounced back strongly with wins over Kelvin Gastelum and former title challenger Gilbert Burns.

Jan Blachowicz v Carlos Ulberg

When: Saturday, 22 March

UFC London’s co-headliner is a pivotal clash of top-10 light heavyweights.

Blachowicz, the division’s former champion, is back for the first time since July 2023. That last fight was a closely contested contest against Pereira, with the Brazilian striker edging out a split decision en route to winning the title in his next fight.

Whereas Blachowicz is a grizzled mainstay in the 205-pound elite, Ulberg is an exciting new-generation talent on the rise. The New Zealand kickboxer has rattled off seven straight wins, including a decision victory over former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir last November, and would be hard to deny a title shot with a win over Blachowicz.