Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev stare down

Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev came face-to-face for the first time ahead of Saturday’s highly anticipated UFC 313 light heavyweight title fight.

The two have exchanged words over social media and interviews, but Thursday’s pre-fight press conference marked their first official staredown.

After taking questions from reporters, Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) and Ankalaev (20-1-1 MMA, 11-1-1 UFC) stood inches apart, intensifying the buildup to Saturday’s main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Pereira, 37, will look to defend his 205-pound title for the fourth time, while Ankalaev, 32, aims to extend his 13-fight unbeaten streak and claim UFC gold.

The tension carried over to the co-main event faceoff, where Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev met again nearly two years after their first bout.

Gaethje (25-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) won their UFC 286 Fight of the Night encounter by majority decision in March 2023. Now, Fiziev (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) is stepping in on short notice for the injured Dan Hooker to seek redemption.

Gaethje and Fiziev faced off after their own media session, setting the stage for Saturday’s lightweight showdown.

UFC 313 will air Saturday, with a start time of 7:00 PM PST.