Alex Pereira returned to the Octagon on 16 days’ notice to defend his light heavyweight championship against ex-titleholder Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303.
A little more than two months ago, Pereira and Prochazka delivered two of the more memorable moments at UFC 300. On Saturday night, the two titans return to T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas ready to run back their November 2023 clash that saw ‘Poatan’ take the 205-pound crown back to Brazil via a second-round KO.
Round 1
Pereira gets things started with a calf kick followed by a kick to the body. Pereira goes back to the leg attack and Prochazka throws a left hook. Prochazka is looking to pressure Pereira and throws a leg kick of his own. Prochazka offers a straight right, but Pereira comes back with a big left hook that lands. Prochazka comes back over the top with a combination and Pereira responds with a right. Pereira goes low again with the kick and Prochazka is already feeling it in his lead leg.
A lot of feints and movement from Prochazka as we cross the halfway point of the first round. Pereira begins to stalk forward as Prochazka looks hesitant. Pereira lands a left that stings Prochazka. ‘BJP’ closes the distance and clinches with Pereira up against the fence. Pereira lands a knee up the middle as Prochazka locks his lands and looks for a takedown with 60 seconds to go. Prochazka lands a knee in the clinch, but Pereira breaks the grip and separates with half a minute left.
Pereira narrowly misses with a right hook but connects with another nasty calf kick. With only a second left on the clock, Pereira uncorks a massive left hook that drops Prochazka right as the horn sounds. Prochazka looks a little wobbly as he walks to the corner, but manages to shake it off.
Round 2
Coming out for the second round, Pereira unleashes a head kick that catches Prochazka clean, dropping the Czech. Pereira moves in and unleashes some ground-and-pound strikes, forcing referee Herb Dean to step in and call for the stoppage mere seconds into the second round.
Official Result: Alex Pereira def. Jiri Prochazka via KO (head kick to ground and pound) at 0:13 of Round 2.
Check Out Highlights From Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303:
IT’S TIME #UFC303 pic.twitter.com/ej3J5P2aMq
— Jesse Merrick (@JesseNews3LV) June 30, 2024
Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka are at it again! No one will break a stare during the #UFC303 introductions. pic.twitter.com/vswYINOc0S
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) June 30, 2024
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