By At UFC 303, Alex Pereira successfully defended his light-heavyweight title with a second-round TKO against Jiri Prochazka, marking his second victory over Prochazka since their first encounter in November. The event was fraught with unexpected changes, including Conor McGregor’s withdrawal due to a toe injury, which led to Pereira and Prochazka headlining the event on short notice.
The drama extended beyond the octagon, with last-minute adjustments to the fight card. Brian Ortega’s illness resulted in Dan Ige stepping in to fight Diego Lopes in the lightweight bout, which Lopes won by a unanimous decision.
Despite McGregor’s absence, the event drew a large crowd, featuring celebrities like Aaron Rodgers. Pereira and Prochazka’s intense pre-fight stare-down set the stage for their showdown, which began with a cautious first round before Pereira’s decisive left kick and follow-up strikes in the second round secured his win.
The event also saw a rematch from their previous fight at Madison Square Garden, where Pereira had claimed the vacated title. Since then, Pereira has solidified his championship status, while Prochazka had earned his spot for the rematch sooner than expected.
In another bout, Mayra Bueno Silva’s fight was stopped due to a significant cut, handing the victory to Macy Chiasson. Despite Silva’s desire to continue, the severity of her injury led to the doctor’s intervention. The night was a testament to the unpredictability and excitement that defines UFC events.
