Reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira underlined his greatness with a repeat showing against former champion Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303, then said he’s ready to move up to heavyweight to become a three-division UFC world champion.
Pereira stopped Prochazka in second round of their first meeting back at UFC 295 last year, and he repeated the feat at UFC 303, as he dropped the Czech hard with a head kick in the opening moments of the round, then finished the job with ground strikes to claim a TKO victory and retain his 205-pound title.
His win, and the definitive manner in which he achieved it, cemented his status as the top light heavyweight fighter on the planet, as Pereira’s star ascended to new heights at UFC International Fight Week 2024.
“It was great. I’ve been saying all week that I was gonna come out here and be victorious,” he told Joe Rogan after his victory.
“You know, I didn’t know how I was gonna win. But I knew I was gonna come here and I was going to leave this Octagon happy.”
After already capturing UFC world titles at both middleweight and light heavyweight, Pereira has established himself as one of the great champions of the sport in a short space of time since he arrived in the UFC as a two-division GLORY kickboxing champion.
The Brazilian said his success comes from being ready to take full advantage of his opportunities when they present themselves.
“I don’t know what the next step is. We try to plan, and sometimes as you see, things happen. So I’m taking these opportunities.
“Everything that’s coming in my way is positive. So this is what I’m doing. And I have to thank everyone that helps me to get out here and put on these great performances.”
After his success at 185 pounds and 205 pounds, talk has already begun about Pereira moving up to heavyweight. That chatter began after his last fight, but now, after yet another dominant performance, calls for him to move up are likely to be even louder.
Pereira has heard those calls, and says he’s ready to make the fans happy and move up to compete for world title number three.
“I think that’s in my future,” he stated.
“I said that last time I was here. You know, I said it a lot. There didn’t seem to be too much interest in the organisation. But I’m here I’m available. And I do think that’s in my future.
“I think the fans have a lot of say in this, you know? Whatever they want. In the end, these are the people paying for this.
“So you know, if this is what they want, it’s gonna be inevitable.”
UFC 303: Official results
MAIN CARD
- Alex Pereira def. Jiri Prochazka via TKO (head kick and punches) – Round 2, 0:13
- Diego Lopes def. Dan Ige via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Roman Dolidze def. Anthony Smith via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Macy Chiasson def. Mayra Bueno Silva via TKO (doctor stoppage) – Round 2, 1:58
- Ian Machado Garry def. Michael Page via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
PRELIMINARY CARD
- Joe Pyfer def. Marc-Andre Barriault via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:25
- Andre Fili def. Cub Swanson via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
- Jean Silva def. Charles Jourdain via knockout (punch) – Round 2, 1:22
- Payton Talbott def. Yanis Ghemmouri via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:19
EARLY PRELIMS
- Gillian Robertson def. Michelle Waterson-Gomez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
- Martin Buday def. Andrei Arlovski via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
- Rei Tsuruya def. 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)
