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Light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira cements his place as the division’s king as he defeats Jiri Prochazka with a brutal head kick at UFC 303.
The main event bout between Pereira and Prochazka was booked after Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler was canceled. Pereira had already competed in the main event at UFC 300 in April, where he knocked out Jamahal Hill, but still chose to defend his title at UFC 303.
Pereira had previously finished Prochazka via TKO in their first bout in November 2013 and similar scenes would play out this time. The fight started slowly but the tension was palpable as both fighters possess the power to knock each other out with just one attack.
Pereira pressed forward methodically, landing several solid leg kicks, and appeared to be in control of the fight from the start. Prochazka struggled to find his rhythm and was unsuccessful in attempting to take Pereira down from a clinch position. Instead, Pereira racked up more leg kicks and even managed to send Prochazka to the mat in the closing seconds of the first round.
Just seconds into the second round, Pereira landed a solid head kick that immediately sent Prochazka to the mat. Referee Herb Dean allowed the fight to continue, but the follow-up shots from Pereira shook Prochazka badly, and it didn’t take long for referee Dean to intervene. Prochazka was clearly injured and could barely stand without help.
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That Alex Pereira knockout from in the arena! 😱 #UFC303 pic.twitter.com/njAixfklX9
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) June 30, 2024
Pereira extends his victory streak to four straight after making his light heavyweight debut against Jan Blachowicz in July 2023. He has now defeated former UFC champions Blachowicz, Hill and Prochazka twice. In his victory speech, Pereira told Joe Rogan that he sees himself moving up to heavyweight.
“I think that’s in my future,” Pereira told Joe Rogan through an interpreter. “I said it last time I was here. … I’m here, I’m available, and I do think that’s in my future.”
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In the co-main event, Diego Lopes was set to face former title contender Brian Ortega in a featherweight bout. Unfortunately, Ortega missed weight, and the fight was changed to a lightweight bout. With just hours until the start, Ortega had to pull out due to sickness and was replaced by Dan Ige on only a couple of hours’ notice. The bout was finally contested as a catchweight (165 lb) bout.
Lopes started strong, but Ige did a good job staying composed and picking his shots. Lopes got close with a submission attempt in the first round but lost steam as the bout progressed. Ige finished the fight strong, raining down shots from the top position as the third and final round came to an end. Despite Ige’s strong finish, Lopes won the bout via unanimous decision and extended his winning streak to four straight.
A total of six Fight of the Night bonuses were handed out after the event:
The walkout that has become SO infamous 🏹
🏆🗿 @AlexPereiraUFC has EXPLODED onto the scene and may be the biggest star in the sport today! #UFC303 pic.twitter.com/6zIwc5Bq0B
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) June 30, 2024
GIVE IT UP FOR THESE TWO! 👏
Regardless of the result – @DiegoLopesMMA & @DynamiteDan808 deserve your respect! #UFC303 pic.twitter.com/ITWhTgKXDX
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) June 30, 2024
❌ The fight's been called!
A NASTY cut opens up on the forehead of Mayra Bueno Silva and there's no choice but to stop this one. #UFC303 pic.twitter.com/t2f263PRAY
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) June 30, 2024
JOE PYFER AT HIS VICIOUS BEST TONIGHT! 🔥
💢 @Joe_Pyfer96 putting another one DOWN FACE FIRST at #UFC303! pic.twitter.com/lIkhj7A9gl
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) June 30, 2024
JEAN LORD SILVA WITH THE UPPERCUT KNOCKOUT! 😮💨
Keep your eyes on 🇧🇷 Jean Silva folks! #UFC303 pic.twitter.com/6nzmRuz2dl
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) June 30, 2024
PAYTON TALBOTT OH MY GOD! 😱
💢 @PaytonTalbott has INSANE knockout power, buy your stock NOW! #UFC303 pic.twitter.com/rH8g154uuE
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) June 30, 2024
Happy trails to the Karate Hottie! 👏
One tough mother @KarateHottieMMA calling it a career after blazing an unbelievable trail inside the Octagon! #UFC303 pic.twitter.com/Ry0UB7LMHA
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) June 30, 2024
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