Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka at the UFC 303 weigh-in. Photo by Eddie Law/Cageside Press
With talk of shamans and “black magic” circulating in the lead-up to Saturday’s UFC 303 main event, fans were hoping for a magical bout between Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka.
The two first faced off last year when Pereira won the then-vacant light heavyweight title to become UFC’s newest double champion, before Prochazka bounced back against Aleksandar Rakic while “Poitan” Pereira defended his belt against Jamahal Gil that same night.
The main event of UFC 303 was built with an air of anticipation, like a chess game between two fighters. Prochazka landed a kick or two before switching to southpaw. Pereira also had success with low kicks, but the champion repeatedly caught Prochazka on his way in and made more impact with sharp punches. Pereira followed that up with a big kick to the body, then landed another on top as Prochazka closed in. This time Prochazka was able to clinch up and drive Pereira into the fence.
Back at the cage, Pereira was able to land a knee, but Prochazka was still in control but was unable to land a takedown attempt, which was unsuccessful as Pereira went for the wrist, instead moving back to the center, where Pereira landed a leg kick and then dropped Prochazka with a left hand just before the buzzer sounded.
The second round began with the big question of how much damage Jiri Prochazka had sustained from the knockdown. The answer was soon given, as Pereira quickly took the Czech down again, this time with a switch kick to the head. Prochazka tried to recover on his knees, but received more brutal blows from the champion before referee Herb Dean called the bout off. Meanwhile, after the bout was over, Pereira managed to put a toe back in place that he had supposedly dislocated from the kick.
The win in a hastily arranged bout to replace an injured Conor McGregor will likely put “Poitan” in the running for Fight of the Year consideration, especially after another big win at April’s UFC 300. As for a possible move to heavyweight, Pereira told Joe Rogan “I think it’s in my future,” but the organization doesn’t seem too interested.
That could change after Saturday.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Alex Pereira defeats Jiri Prochazka by TKO (head kick and punches), Round 2, 0:13
