UFC 303: Alex Pereira knocks out Jiri Prochazka in dominant fashion to retain title
Pereira Defeats Prochazka To Keep Title
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Pereira has knocked out his opponents in six out of his nine UFC fights.
Alex Pereira solidified his dominance as champion by defeating Jiri Prochazka with a knockout to defend his light-heavyweight title at UFC 303 in Las Vegas.
In a surprising turn of events, Pereira from Brazil, aged 36, knocked down Prochazka, a fighter from the Czech Republic, aged 31, with a powerful left high-kick during the second round of the match. The audience at the fully packed T-Mobile Arena was left in awe by this impressive move.
Pereira secured his second victory against Prochazka by defeating him in the second round of their match in November, earning the light-heavyweight title.
The former middleweight champion has achieved a lot in a short time since joining the UFC in November 2021. He has won two titles and successfully defended them twice in just nine fights. This impressive performance is considered one of the most notable in the promotion's history.
"I've been confident all week that I would come out on top. I didn't specify my tactics, but I was sure I would be leaving the octagon with a smile on my face," Pereira stated.
Earlier that evening, Ian Machado Garry from Ireland defeated Britain's Michael 'Venom' Page by unanimous decision, continuing his undefeated streak to 15 wins.
In the grappling exchanges, 26-year-old Machado Garry outperformed 37-year-old Page, who experienced his first loss in the UFC after a successful debut in March.
Pereira Keeps Making History
Pereira and Prochazka filled in unexpectedly to fight in place of Conor McGregor, who had to withdraw from his main event fight against Michael Chandler due to a broken toe earlier this month.
The occasion was the second time in three months that Pereira had been the main attraction at a major event, following his headline appearance at the historic UFC 300 in March.
Pereira defeated Jamahal Hill to keep his title, leading to a rematch with Prochazka. Prochazka had also won his fight against Aleksandar Rakic that night.
While McGregor was not present, the UFC commentators hailed Pereira as the top star in the world of mixed martial arts and he certainly proved them right with his outstanding performance.
Prior to the fighters being introduced, the silent and still duo gazed at each other for several minutes, reflecting the intense face-off they had before their fight in November.
Pereira started the match strong by using leg kicks and following up with a left hook and jab on Prochazka. Prochazka's shining moment in the fight was when he grabbed Pereira in a clinch.
The most important moment in the first five minutes happened at the very end of the round when Pereira landed a powerful left hook that knocked Prochazka down, but the bell rang before Pereira could follow up with any more hits.
The Czech fighter's team attempted to use ice to enhance his focus, but their efforts proved futile when Pereira landed a decisive kick just 13 seconds into the second round.
Following the fight, he suggested the possibility of moving up to the heavyweight division and aiming to make history as the first UFC fighter to win titles in three weight classes.
"I believe that's what lies ahead for me. The organization doesn't appear to be very interested, but I feel like it's on the horizon," Pereira stated.
I believe that the fans hold a significant influence in this matter. Ultimately, they are the ones who financially support this. If this is their preference, it is bound to happen.
Machado Garry Leaves An Impression
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Machado Garry has been victorious in eight UFC matches since making his debut in 2021.
Machado Garry expressed that he felt accountable for entertaining the Irish fans while McGregor was away, stating that he was perfectly fine carrying that responsibility.
He has been compared to former champion McGregor because of his impressive undefeated streak which has brought him to the seventh spot in the UFC welterweight rankings. This has given Irish fans hope that he could be the first champion from their country in six years.
However, in Page, Machado Garry found himself up against one of the most formidable strikers on the team, known for his unpredictable kickboxing technique that has led to many impressive moments in Bellator.
Page had a successful first fight in the UFC against Kevin Holland in March, but had a tougher opponent in Machado Garry, who was more eager to grapple.
The Irish fighter quickly took control of the match by catching a kick and bringing the fight to the ground. He then attempted a rear-naked choke, but Page managed to defend it well until the round ended.
Page experienced his finest moments in the second round, connecting with a left-right combo that elicited a knowing grin from Garry Machado, in addition to an overhand right.
However, Machado Garry switched to his wrestling skills once more in the last five minutes. Although he didn't cause much harm and couldn't secure a submission, his time dominating the match was sufficient to guarantee victory.
"I want to let everyone know that I am determined to win that title. I currently have a record of 15 wins and 0 losses, and I am unstoppable," stated Garry Machado.
I am determined to become a world champion no matter what, I don't care about the details or who my competition is. The future holds great things for me.
