Alex Pereira once again used his power to take out Jiri Prochazka, this time to retain the UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 303.
“Poatan” and Prochazka wouldn't stop staring at one another for over four+ minutes when they entered the cage, almost a full round. It was similar to when they fought at UFC 295. When the opening bell rang, all bets were off.
They traded shots, with Pereira chopping the knee of Prochazka. Prochazka tried to land crisp shots and even held Pereira by the cage. He did get caught with a left hook before the end of the first round.
That one shot and the break just delayed the inevitable.
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Pereira started the second round with a high kick that hurt Prochazka. It also may have affected his once broken toes, though Pereira persevered. More blows reigned down on a downed Prochazka until the referee saw enough.
2024 IS POATAN'S YEAR 🏹 #UFC303 | @AlexPereiraUFC pic.twitter.com/vTirPPquGY
— UFC (@ufc) June 30, 2024
On a four-fight win streak and two wins in 2024 in just two months, Pereira has established himself as one of the best fighters in the world. Joe Rogan and UFC fans pleaded with him to become a three-division champion by going to heavyweight. If his toes allow him to fight, the sky is the limit for the Brazilian.
UFC 303 was a strange night, with new fights appearing on the fly.
The night already dealt with changes after Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler got nixed. The co-main event had an unprecedented change. Brian Ortega got sick before his fight against Diego Lopes, already a replacement fight. Dan Ige, set to compete in a few weeks, accepted a fight hours into UFC 303. Ige pleaded with UFC brass to compete in a catchweight contest, and his wish was granted.
It was a moral win in a loss for Ige, with Lopes earning the unanimous decision win. Lopes, who went from fighting at 146 to 165, controlled the first two rounds, but Ige gave fans hope in the third. Ige gained a lot of new fans. Lopes is now on a four-fight win streak.
It was a moment that, win or lose, made Ige worthy of the BMF moniker, though there may be plenty of questions that need answers from the Nevada State Athletic Commission and the UFC.
Roman Dolidze can now be ranked in two divisions. The middleweight beat Anthony Smith in a light heavyweight clash. Smith was supposed to face Carlos Ulberg, who pulled out of the fight the week before. Dolidze used kicks to push Smith back. Smith looked tired through the fight, and though Dolidze faltered in the third, he managed to get the win.
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Marya Bueno Silvavs. Macy Chiasson, a fight questioned as being on the main card, exceeded expectations for almost two rounds. The two bantamweights gave it their all, with Bueno Silva looking sharp early. A Chiasson elbow had Bueno Silva bleeding by the eye, which the fight doctor said was close to the bone. An entertaining fight ended before it could get going.
Chiasson is on a two-fish win streak, while former top contender Bueno Silva is on a two-fight losing streak.
Opening the card, Ian Machado Garry beat Michael “Venom” Page. The buildup to the fight saw the two look like they were ready for a bloody affair. While it didn’t turn out that way, Garry looked like a complete fighter, using takedowns to halt any of Page’s momentum. It helped that he had Demian Maia in his corner.
Page is now 2-2 in his last two fights, while Garry, believing he will be a champion in the UFC, remains undefeated.
The Sporting News provided results from the entire UFC 303 card.
UFC 303 full card results
Main Card
- Alex Pereira (c)def.Jiri Prochazkavia TKO for the UFC light heavyweight title (0:13 into round two)
- Diego Lopes def.Dan Igevia unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Roman Dolidze def.Anthony Smithvia unanimous decision(30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Macy Chiasson def. Marya Bueno Silvavia doctor stoppage TKO(1:58 into round two)
- Ian Machado Garry def. Michael "Venom" Page viaunanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Prelims
- Joe Pyferdef. Marc-Andre Barriault via KO(1:25 into round one)
- Andre Fili def. Cub Swanson via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
- Jean Silva def.Charles Jourdain via KO(1:22 into round two)
- Payton Talbottdef. Yanis Ghemmouri via KO(0:19 into roundone)
Early Prelims
- Gillian Robertson def. Michelle Waterson-Gomez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
- Martin Buday def. Andrei Arlovskivia split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
- Rei Tsuruyadef. Carlos Hernandez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Vinicius Oliveira def.Ricky Simon via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
