Is Alex Pereira currently the face who runs the place? Daniel Cormier certainly seems to think so.
On Saturday, June 29, ‘Poatan’ will step back into the main event spotlight at UFC 303, putting his light heavyweight championship on the line against ex-titleholder Jiri Prochazka in a rematch everyone expected to see—just not quite so soon.
Originally, Conor McGregor was scheduled to headline the International Fight Week card, but a broken pinky toe forced him to bow out of his bout with Michael Chandler, forcing the UFC to scramble for a new main event. Fortunately, both Pereira and Prochazka were game.
It’ll be the second time this year that Pereira steps up to help save a card, the first being at UFC 300 in April when ‘Poatan’ agreed to defend his title against another former champ, Jamahal Hill, after the promotion had exhausted every other option.
Appearing alongside ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Dustin Poirier, and Teddy Atlas to discuss UFC 303’s biggest storylines, ‘DC’ suggested that Pereira’s consistency and willingness to fight anyone at any time has made him the defacto face of the UFC.
“I think when you’re trying to have that as your title because we have seen so many great guys and women who have elevated themselves to be thought of as the biggest star in the company,” Cormier said. “This man here, because of his consistency, his activity, and because of the time he spends in the Octagon is why people respect him.
“Conor McGregor will always be the biggest star the UFC has ever seen, but McGregor doesn’t fight anymore. It’s this guy right here and it’s this guy because he shows up. You can never appreciate anyone who is not here. This guy is always here so you can never take him for granted. You will miss those days when Alex Pereira is not a champion anymore because he fights so frequently. No champions fight as much as this guy.
“When I was the champion, I fought once or twice a year. When you’re chasing that belt, you’ll fight three times a year just to get it. Once you get there. You fight once or twice. Alex Pereira does not live by those same rules.”
Jiri Prochazka Sticking to His Original Game Plan in Sequel Scrap with Alex Pereira
While most of the headlines have surrounded Alex Pereira and his willingness to step in and save yet another card, we can’t forget about the other side of the coin.
Like Pereira, Jiri Prochazka competed just a couple of months ago at the UFC’s landmark event in April, scoring a sensational come-from-behind KO against Aleksandar Rakic in the featured prelim. It was Prochazka’s first appearance since coming up short against Pereira in their inaugural meeting at UFC 295 in November.
Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka were locked in 👀
Stream #UFC303 on Saturday at 10 ET on ESPN+ PPV 🍿 https://t.co/B6NfQf13Ib pic.twitter.com/97izRAu3cf
— ESPN (@espn) June 27, 2024
Though he suffered a second-round knockout against ‘Poatan’ the first time around, ‘BJP’ intends to stick to his original game plan when he steps back inside the Octagon with the ‘Brazilian Boogeyman’ at T-Mobile Arena.
“I saw that fight many times, but I will not change anything,” Prochazka told reporters at Wednesday’s UFC 303 media day. “I want to do the same right now, this Saturday. I want to do the same, but much better. I want to be more precise in the details, watch the calf kicks just a little bit, and win, just win.”
