If you're looking for the quick answer to when does ufc 313 start, you’re actually looking into the past.
It’s a bit of a weird one. UFC 313 already happened. It went down on March 8, 2025, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. If you're checking your calendar for 2026, you're going to be looking for a different number entirely. Right now, the MMA world is gearing up for UFC 324 and UFC 326. But since there’s always a ton of confusion around these event numbers, especially with how fast Dana White cranks them out, let's break down exactly what happened at 313 and why people are still searching for those start times.
Honestly, it was one of the most significant cards of last year.
When Did the Action Actually Begin?
The schedule for that night followed the standard big-pay-per-view template the UFC loves. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. The early prelims kicked things off at 6:30 PM ET (3:30 PM PT). These are usually the "hardcore fan" fights, the ones where future contenders are built on UFC Fight Pass.
After that, the "regular" prelims moved over to ESPN+ and ESPNEWS at 8:00 PM ET. This is when the energy in the T-Mobile Arena usually starts to shift from a few scattered cheers to a real roar. Finally, the main card—the part everyone pays the big bucks for—started at 10:00 PM ET.
If you were waiting for the main event walkouts between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev, you probably weren't seeing them until about midnight ET. It was a long night.
A Quick Refresher on the Schedule
- Early Prelims: 6:30 PM ET / 3:30 PM PT
- Prelims: 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
- Main Card: 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT
The Night a Legend Was Dethroned
The reason we're still talking about when does ufc 313 start is because the results shook up the Light Heavyweight division in a massive way. Alex "Poatan" Pereira was on an absolute tear. He’d been defending that belt like it was his job (which, well, it was), but Magomed Ankalaev finally provided the puzzle he couldn't solve.
It wasn't a flash knockout. It wasn't a boring wrestling clinic either.
Ankalaev fought a tactical, measured five-round battle. He took some of those leg kicks—the ones that usually turn shins into jelly—and kept moving forward. By the time the judges' scorecards were read (49-46, 48-47, 48-47), we had a new king at 205 pounds.
The co-main was just as wild. Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev went to war in a rematch that lived up to every ounce of hype. Gaethje walked away with a unanimous decision, proving that even as a veteran, he still has that "human highlight reel" magic.
Where the UFC Is Headed in 2026
Since you're likely here because you're planning your 2026 fight nights, it's worth noting where we are now. We've moved far past 313. If you want to see the current big Las Vegas cards, you should be looking at the upcoming T-Mobile Arena dates.
For example, UFC 326 is the big one on the horizon for March 2026. It's almost exactly a year since 313. That's usually how the UFC cycles their Vegas "tentpole" events. If you're trying to figure out when does ufc 313 start because you’re looking for the next Vegas show, make sure you're checking the 320-series numbers.
The broadcast partners haven't changed much. In the U.S., it's still an ESPN+ exclusive for the PPVs. If you're in the UK, you're looking at TNT Sports (and those brutal 3:00 AM start times). Australia is still on Kayo and Main Event.
The Reality of Fight Times
One thing people often forget is that "start time" is a suggestion for the main event.
The UFC is a live TV production. If three fights in a row end in first-round knockouts, you might see the main event earlier than expected. If every fight goes to a grueling split decision, you could be sitting there until 1:00 AM.
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Basically, if you’re planning a watch party, tell everyone to show up for the prelims. You don't want to be the person who logs in at 10:15 PM only to realize you missed a "Knockout of the Year" contender in the opening main card slot. Mauricio Ruffy did exactly that at UFC 313 with a spinning wheel kick that basically broke the internet for 24 hours.
Next Steps for Fight Fans:
If you want to keep up with the actual upcoming schedule for 2026, check the official UFC event calendar for UFC 326 and beyond. If you missed the Pereira vs. Ankalaev fight from UFC 313, you can still catch the full replay on UFC Fight Pass. It’s a masterclass in high-level Light Heavyweight strategy that's worth the watch even a year later.