LAS VEGAS -- Magomed Ankalaev entered the Octagon as public enemy No. 1 to fan favorite Alex Pereira and left as the new UFC light heavyweight champion on Saturday night in the main event of UFC 313.

Ankalaev came out on top by beating "Poatan" to the punch in the first half of the fight and smothering his offense with clinch work in the second half. His stifling performance sucked the air out of T-Mobile Arena and the scorecards were academic, as the fighter out of Dagestan earned a unanimous decision: Two judges scored it 48-47, while a third judge had it 49-46.

Pereira (14-3) wasn't able to get anything going as Ankalaev (20-1-1) forced him to fight off the back foot for much of the fight. The pressure prevented the Brazilian from uncorking his signature left hook and was relegated to looking for opportunities to counter, which Ankalaev never gave him.

As the rounds wore on and Pereria fell behind on the scorecards, Ankalaev intelligently shifted to crowding the champion with clinchwork. Although he was unable to secure a takedown, Ankalaev was able to wear Pereria down and left him desperately looking for a fight-ending strike that he couldn't find.

By the final round, the ending was academic. Ankalaev avoided taking any significant punishment. Pereira eventually landed a left hand but had nothing on it. Before he could put any offense together, Ankalaev swarmed in and clinched.

Although the crowd booed the result, it was clear that there was a new leader of the light heavyweights.