Alex Pereira inspires trepidation like few others.
“Poatan” will defend his undisputed Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight title when he locks horns with longtime contender Magomed Ankalaev in the UFC 313 headliner on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Pereira enters the Octagon on the strength of a five-fight winning streak. He last saw action at UFC 307, where he bludgeoned Khalil Rountree to a fourth-round technical knockout on Oct. 5. Ankalaev, meanwhile, has rattled off back-to-back victories. He last suited up on Oct. 26, when he laid claim to a three-round unanimous decision over Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308.