MMA Preview – Alex Pereira vs Jiri Prochazka 2 at UFC 303
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ALEX PEREIRA VS JIRI PROCHAZKA FACTS
When is UFC 303? Sunday 30th June, 2024 - 01:00 (UK)
Where is UFC 303? T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 303? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 303
What channel is UFC 303 on? TNT Sports 1
Where can I stream UFC 303? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
ALEX PEREIRA VS JIRI PROCHAZKA LOWDOWN
Alex Pereira (10-2) is making a habit of saving blockbuster cards. This slot was reserved for the Conor McGregor comeback against Michael Chandler, but now the Brazilian makes the second defence of his light heavyweight crown. He took his seat on the throne after his second fight at 205 lbs to add to his accolade of only taking four UFC fights to earn the middleweight crown. After getting knocked out by Israel Adesanya (2023) in their rematch, he moved up to outpoint Jan Blachowicz (2023) and then knock out Jiri Prochaza (2023) to earn the vacant strap and then dispatch Jamahal Hill (2024) at UFC 300.
That appeared to be a huge setback for Jiri Prochazka (30-4-1) at UFC 291. It was his first fight since destroying his shoulder and vacating the title he earnt off Glover Teixeira (2022) at UFC 275. It snapped an electric 13-fight win streak which included 11 knockouts finishing all three of his UFC bouts. However, he returned five months later on the same UFC 300 card and reeled off a ‘Performance of the Night’ with a vintage nerve-racking battle and eventual knockout over Aleksandar Rakic.
ALEX PEREIRA VS JIRI PROCHAZKA PREDICTION
Their first fight ended in the second round and although many argued that it was an early stoppage, it was a convincing performance. Pereira was not baited by the low hands or deterred by the different angles Prochazka was throwing from and immediately took him off his feet with his leg kicks.
We expect the champ to open up with the same zero telegraphed calf kicks to disable the challenger. Prochazka struggled to close the distance and find the chin so instead took Pereira down. We can see him employing the same tactics, but he needs to gain Pereira’s respect on the feet first.
He is more than capable of doing that. He needs to remain unorthodox and find the target while avoiding that left hook. He needs to make this messy as there is no one more dangerous in a brawl.
Prochazka has all the ability to knock Pereera out or even take him down and break the Brazilian with ground-and-pound until a submission opens up. However, if he does not check the leg kicks and defend his chin while entering the pocket, he will end up in a heap again.
Pereira is understandably the favourite. His confidence is sky high and Prochaza’s defence is too porous, but we can easily see him pulling off a spectacular upset.
Prediction: Pereira via KO/TKO
Value Bet: Prochazka via KO/TKO
