The UFC 303 featured a host of thrilling fights this past Saturday, including the main event light heavyweight championship battle between champion Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka. Both opponents had a faceoff earlier in the year, but Pereira destroyed Prochazka in that battle. A rematch was set for the Czech fighter to redeem himself, but he couldn’t defeat ‘Poatan.’
The bout was epic, with Poatan deploying a deadly move during the fight. Both fighters entered the cage looking for an angle, but Pereira went in for the kill with a deadly left hook that floored Prochazka in the early seconds of the first round. He continued to land devastating blows until the end of the first round.
In round two, Pereira was relentless with his attacks and deployed a head kick that sent Prochazka tumbling to the canvas. He rained down punches there until the bout was called to a stop, retaining his title. The deadly move that scored Pereira his win was set up by his coaches during his training after watching a warming-up video of Prohcazka.
“No [it wasn’t part of the game plan]. Actually I was in the locker room talking to Plinio [Cruz] my coach. And he showed me the video of Jiri warming up and I saw that he was trying to counter the calf kick.” Pereira said at the post-fight conference via a translator. “Defend and counter. But I told Plinio that he was doing the wrong timing, the timing was not good.”
While watching the video, the former middleweight champion noticed a flaw in the Czech fighter’s calf defense. He decided to take advantage of the opening.
“But I noticed that he was doing the wrong timing, and his timing wasn’t good–I saw he was too focused on avoiding the calf kick. So he was leaving his hands down and leaving the head exposed. So, I told him [Cruz], I’m going to explore the high kick.”
The move worked flawlessly as he dropped his two-time rival, Prochazka. Despite both opponents being unprepared for the fight– it was a short-notice battle called in after the McGregor vs. Chandler fight was canceled due to McGregor’s injury– they put on an exciting performance.
Pereira intends to move up to the heavyweight division, where he is prepared to battle any opponent. However, he is content to stay in the light heavyweight division for now.
“I don’t know what’s the limit, I’m going to be training, I’m going to be ready and I’m going to be
Taking opportunities… I think I still have challenges[at light heavyweight]. I want to keep defending my belt, I want to keep training and showing results.”
Notwithstanding his loss, the former UFC and RIZIN champion seems in good spirits and is looking towards the future. Prochazka released a statement shortly after his defeat.
“Hello everyone, thank you for all your support. Thanks to you, Alex, for the fight. You were better. And only one thing was on my mind, that I need to evolve to the next level– or don’t fight again. So simple, to be the strongest, this is the way. Thank you. See you in the gym.”
