By In a dramatic turn of events at UFC 303, Alex Pereira retained his light-heavyweight title by stopping Jiri Prochazka with a second-round TKO. This victory marks Pereira’s second win over Prochazka, solidifying his dominance in the division.
The event was initially shaken by Conor McGregor’s withdrawal due to a toe injury, which led to Pereira facing Prochazka in the main event. The fight was quickly arranged after both fighters had their preparations interrupted—Pereira’s vacation and Prochazka’s meditation retreat were cut short.
Despite the absence of McGregor, the event drew significant attention, with a full house witnessing the intense competition. Pereira’s decisive left kick in the second round ended the bout, confirming his status as the light-heavyweight champion.
The co-main event also saw a last-minute replacement as Dan Ige stepped in for an ill Brian Ortega to fight Diego Lopes, with Lopes winning by a narrow margin.
The event was not without its share of drama outside the octagon, with rapid changes to the fight card and the anticipation of what could have been one of UFC’s richest fights even without McGregor’s presence. The night concluded with Pereira’s emphatic victory and a significant win for Lopes in the lightweight division. Mayra Bueno Silva’s fight was stopped due to a severe cut, showcasing the intense and unpredictable nature of the sport.
