Alex Pereira is starting to look like an unstoppable force in the UFC, which is what Jiří Procházka saw once again.
The UFC light heavyweight champion defended his belt against the former titleholder with a brutal leg kick, resulting in a knockout after a few more strikes to the ground and leaving Procházka barely conscious after the fight was called.
The end of the first round was a repeat of the same, with Pereira landing Procházka hard after a good second remaining. If there had been a few more seconds, the fight would have been over at any moment.
The two fighters entered the bout with some drama, with Procházka claiming in an interview during fight week that Pereira took an unfair advantage through “magic,” or more accurately his heroic rituals that touched on his indigenous heritage.
Procházka asked Pereira not to use this ritual, but Pereira strongly refused. It was in this context that the two men, famous for their personal charisma, met and stared at each other for about five minutes before the fight.
In the first bout, Alex Pereira scored a second-round TKO over Procházka, earning him the belt. The former heavyweight titleholder, Prochazka’s goal was to kill two birds with one stone: revenge on “Poatan” and regain the belt.
In the first round, the two men took turns in the middle of the cage, which was not surprising. Alex Pereira varied his attacks excellently by delivering low kicks before going up. In the end, champion Denisa shut down the opportunity to face the octagon and tried to enter the fight. Pereira defended well and managed to avoid the trap. When the bell rang, Poatan nailed his famous left hook that knocked Jiri Prochazka down! The Czech stood up in shock before returning to his corner.
In the second round, Alex Pereira did not waste time and sent a head kick from the left flank, leaving “Denisa” Prochazka no chance! The Czech KO’d to the ground, and the Brazilian finished the job with ground and pound. It’s a great victory for the hero!
🚨🚨 IT’S JUST SCARY!
ALEX PEREIRA KNOCKS JIRI PROCHAZKA OFF WITH A FRONT LEG KICK AT THE START OF THE 2ND ROUND 🤯HE IS INCREDIBLE.🚨🚨 إنه أمر مخيف فقط!
أليكس بيريرا يطرد جيري بروتشازكا بركلة ساقه الأمامية في بداية الجولة الثانية 🤯إنه أمر لا يصدق. #UFC303 pic.twitter.com/1kFqqbH2uj— mmamag.ma (@jamalsoussi10) June 30, 2024
Consequently, Alex Pereira won by technical knockout (TKO) in the second round, as in the first match against Prochazka. The Brazilian improved his record to 11-2 in MMA, and appears to be untouchable.
Alex Pereira and his team celebrate in the popular Brazilian style of the favelas. #UFC303
أليكس بريرا وفريقه يحتفلون على الطريقة البرازيلية الشعبية للأحياء الفقيرة. #UFC303 pic.twitter.com/VUq0w2dcQs
— mmamag.ma (@jamalsoussi10) June 30, 2024
It now looks like 2024 will be remembered as Pereira’s year. He made it to the main event of a promotion-stacked UFC 300 card and lived up to the moment with a first-round knockout of Jamahal Hill, which would have been the moment of the night if not for Max Holloway.
At UFC 303, Pereira and Prochazka entered on two-and-a-half weeks notice after Conor McGregor pulled out of the previously scheduled main event against Michael Chandler due to a fractured little toe. Regardless of the outcome, Pereira would have received high praise from UFC president Dana White. But conclusively defending his belt against one of the most dangerous fighters in the division is what makes you a top-tier champion.
The question now is what’s next for Pereira, who took over the previously chaotic division with wins over three former champions in Procházka, Hill and Jan Błachowicz. He could still face Magomed Ankalaev, who has a very strong argument that he had the belt stolen in a controversial draw with Blachowicz. But he also announced through the translator that he intends to move up to heavyweight, giving him a chance to become one of the UFC’s top 30 – division champions.
“I think this is my future. I said that on my last visit here. I’ve said it a lot, but there doesn’t seem to be much interest in the organization. And yet, here I am, available and I believe this is my future.”
The fight ended with one of the most devastating knockouts, and how do you know what that is?
