UFC 313 Recap: Biggest Winners and Losers
The bright lights of Las Vegas have dimmed, but the chaos of UFC 313 won’t be forgotten anytime soon. Some fighters cemented their legacies, while others saw their title hopes crushed. Knockouts shook the arena; game plans fell apart, and the judges? Well, let’s just say their scorecards will be debated for weeks. Whether it was a career-defining performance or a brutal reality check, here’s a breakdown of the night’s biggest winners and losers.
Winner: No More Dodging This Guy
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Some fights are close, while others are a straight-up declaration of dominance. Magomed Ankalaev didn’t leave any doubts against Alex Pereira and made the two-division champ look human for the first time in years. Ankalaev bullied, outworked, and shut down Pereira at every turn. The judges called it a unanimous decision, but the message was clear—Ankalaev is the best light heavyweight on the planet, and there’s no one left to question it.
Loser: Same Opponent, Same Result
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A new year and a different setting, but Rafael Fiziev still walked away disappointed. His second battle with Justin Gaethje felt like déjà vu—big moments, brutal shots, and another decision loss. Fiziev started strong by landing clean strikes early, but once Gaethje found his rhythm, it was all downhill. A massive uppercut in round two turned the tide, and by the final bell, Fiziev knew he had lost this chess match once again.
Winner: Submission No One Saw Coming
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Knockout artists rarely find themselves wrapping up fights on the mat, but Ignacio Bahamondes had other plans. The Chilean striker flipped the script on Jalin Turner by locking in a triangle choke so slick it left Turner tapping before anyone processed what was happening. Joe Rogan couldn’t believe it. The crowd erupted. Bahamondes had predicted a submission in interviews, but no one believed him. Now, everyone knows he wasn’t bluffing.
Loser: Fight That Felt Like a Stalemate
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Some matchups promise fireworks but deliver nothing but frustration. That’s what happened when Amanda Lemos and Iasmin Lucindo spent 15 minutes locked in a clinch-heavy snoozefest. A couple of takedowns and a smothering game plan helped Lemos secure the win, but the fans wanted more than a grinding decision. Lucindo barely got off any offense, but Lemos did enough. In a stacked division, that kind of performance won’t cut it.
Winner: Knockout You’ll Watch Over and Over Again
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Few things in MMA are as satisfying as a perfect wheel kick knockout, and Mauricio Ruffy delivered a masterpiece. One second, King Green was pressuring. The next, his body went limp as Ruffy’s heel met his temple. Daniel Cormier lost his mind. Joe Rogan’s voice cracked. The highlight reels have a new all-time classic. Green left in a daze, and Ruffy left with a Performance of the Night bonus that was well deserved.
Loser: Wrestling Without a Backup Plan
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Rei Tsuruya learned the hard way that a one-dimensional game won’t work at the highest level. Joshua Van wasn’t simply ready for the takedowns—he shrugged them off like they were nothing. Seventeen attempts, only four successful. Meanwhile, Van picked him apart on the feet by landing crisp shots all night. The judges didn’t hesitate. A clean 30-27 shutout. Tsuruya’s undefeated record was gone. If he wants to bounce back, he’ll need more tools.
Winner: When You Least Expect It
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Brunno Ferreira has the kind of power that puts people to sleep, but when Armen Petrosyan shut down his striking, he went to Plan B. Petrosyan had no idea Ferreira had that kind of ground game, and by the time he realized it, he was tapping to a deep armbar. Ferreira made a statement—he’s not a slugger but a finisher in every sense. The middleweight division better start taking notes.
Loser: Scorecard Disaster
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The crowd and the commentators saw it. Even Francis Marshall knew he had done enough to win. But when the referee raised Mario Santos’ hand after a split decision, the arena erupted in boos. Marshall dropped him in round one, controlled the wrestling, and still lost on two judges’ cards. Dana White has ranted about bad judging before, and this one’s going straight into the Hall of Shame.
Winner: Taking Matters into His Own Hands
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Some fighters leave their fate to the judges. Carlos Leal refuses to be one of them. From the opening bell, he came at Alex Morono like he had something to prove, and it didn’t take long to get the finish. A relentless barrage had Morono dropping to his knees, forcing the ref to step in. Leal wasn’t interested in controversy—he ended the fight on his terms and left zero doubt.
Winner: When Damage Speaks Louder Than Numbers
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Djorden Santos landed more shots, but Ozzy Diaz landed the right ones. Judges look for impact, and Diaz’s crisp striking made all the difference. Santos had a wild, aggressive start, but by round two, he was running on empty. Diaz stayed patient, controlled the pace, and let his accuracy tell the story. The result was a unanimous decision and the first UFC win he’s been chasing. Sometimes, quality beats quantity.