Referee, Judges Assigned for UFC 313 Headliner

Marc Goddard will be the third man in the cage when Alex Pereira defends his light heavyweight belt against Magomed Ankalaev.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission on Wednesday approved the referee and judging assignments for the UFC 313 main event, which takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 8.

Goddard has officiated three of Pereira’s bouts since the Brazilian moved up to 205 pounds, including his most recent championship defense against Khalil Rountree at UFC 307 this past October. He’s also overseen five of Ankalaev’s UFC appearances.

Meanwhile, Mike Bell, Derek Cleary and Sal D’Amato will serve as cageside judges for the title tilt. Pereira has only gone the distance twice in 10 UFC outings — and never in a championship fight.

“Poatan” has defended the light heavyweight strap three times since claiming the vacant belt with a second-round stoppage of Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295. Ankalaev will enter his second championship opportunity on a 13-fight unbeaten streak in UFC competition.