Alex Pereira Vs. Jiri Prochazka – Who Wins?

Alex Pereira takes on Jiri Prochazka in a defense of his UFC Light Heavyweight Belt on Saturday at UFC 303. 

It is a rematch of their UFC 295 fight, which Pereira won via a second-round stoppage for the vacant title. After becoming a two-division champion, Pereira knocked out Jamahal Hill in the first round at UFC 300. He had broken his toe two weeks before the fight.

Prochazka stopped Aleksandar Rakic in the second round at UFC 300 to banish the memories of the Pereira loss. Now that Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler was called off after the Irishman broke his toe, Prochazka has been given another title shot. This time, he hopes to go one better. 

Match-Up

Both fighters are known for their good striking. Pereira, a former kickboxer, has knocked out eight opponents in his 10 MMA victories. Prochazka has 26 stoppages in his 30 MMA wins. Alex is also known for his powerful hooks and jabs to the head and midsection. Prochazka keeps his hand below his face, using his elbow, knees, or kicks to do damage. Either fighter can stop the other, but Pereira has the edge since he has stopped Prochazka. 

But Pereira is at a disadvantage in grappling. He is a kickboxer by trade and is still getting to grips with jiu-jitsu. This is shown by the fact that he has not won a fight via submission. Prochazka has a good grappling game, even if it was not utilized as much. But he did beat Glover Teixeira with those skills. Prochazka submitted the Brazilian, who is considered one of the most proficient fighters on the ground. Prochazka has two submission victories in his career, giving him the edge. 

When it comes to wrestling, both prefer to stay upright. Pereira has only won a single takedown when he beat Israel Adesanya in 2022. Prochazka has tried four takedowns in his last five UFC fights. However, since three of his four UFC wins were by stoppage, it is hard to give either fighter a clear advantage at this stage. But with Pereira having the better striking, Prochazka may need to take things to the ground. 

Witchcraft Allegations

Prochazka has been outspoken about Pereira’s alleged use of witchcraft/spiritual forces ahead of their clash. The Brazilian remained focused on the task at hand while Prochazka requested Pereira face him without any ‘dark arts.’ Dana White recalled how Prochazka stayed in a room with no food for three days and meditated once he found out he had this fight once McGregor vs Chandler was off. Could this be a way to get into Pereira’s head? 

“I think he believes a lot in the help of spiritual things, and that’s something that I think he can’t fight without because I want to keep that in a clear line. Just the sport performance, pure performance, man versus man, but I think he doesn’t know how to fight without that because he used these things every time, so I think right now, I’m looking forward to that.

“Yes everybody knows that he is doing these rituals ahead of his fight everybody can feel that what’s around him and what’s going on Alex can’t fight without that. That something that he’s been using normally in fights,” Prochazka said

Comments

Find all the latest boxing news and MMA breaking updates on boxingnews.com.