When Alex Pereira and Jiří Procházka faced each other at UFC 295, Pereira’s light heavyweight title win had a tinge of controversy, with debating ensuing over the legitimacy of the stoppage.
There was no controversy at UFC 303, however.
With both men taking the fight on just a few weeks’ notice, following the collapse of Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler, Pereira scored a huge knockout to keep the light heavyweight championship in the evening’s main event.
“Poatan” did damage to Procházka’s leg early on before dropping the Czech star right before the end of the first round with a solid left hook.
Procházka was on wobbly legs but continued on into round two. And in just 13 seconds, Pereira dropped him again, this time with a massive head kick, before delivering ground-and-pound until the fight was halted.
Alex Pereira Secures Another Jaw-Dropping Highlight To Retain Light Heavyweight Title At UFC 303
I’ll sleep the next guy and then we go again!!! Great win but we are not done!!!
— Jamahal Hill (@JamahalH) June 30, 2024
Alex Ali Pereira
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) June 30, 2024
We know the formula now. Everyone mistakenly thought the mcgregor draw was funny trash talk. It’s taking fights and knocking people out, that’s it. Just do that over and over. Chama #UFC303
— Zac Pauga (@ZacPauga) June 30, 2024
Damn!!!! What a finish!!! #UFC303
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) June 30, 2024
Man Alex is a monster
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) June 30, 2024
Yeah Jon Jones is gonna be tweeting in 3-2-1 …
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) June 30, 2024
Holy chama #UFC303
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) June 30, 2024
I can promise you, his power is different!!! Wow POATAN is unreal! #Chama #UFC303
— Dustin Jacoby (@thehanyakdj) June 30, 2024
Crazy power!!! #UFC303
— Dricus Du Plessis (@dricusduplessis) June 30, 2024
Manoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Poatan é monstro #chaman#UFC303#UFCBR
— Charles 'DoBronxs' Oliveira (@CharlesDoBronxs) June 30, 2024
The spirits #UFC303
— Adrian Yañez (@yanezmma) June 30, 2024
OH. MY. GOODNESS Pereira is superhuman!!!! ITS OVER #UFC303
— Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) June 30, 2024
This is the second time since becoming champion that Pereira has defended the light heavyweight title on short notice. He and Jamahal Hill were quickly booked as the UFC 300 main event, with “Poatan” winning that fight via first-round stoppage just a couple of months ago.
Pereira and Procházka’s first fight at UFC 295 had always been booked for that card but was elevated to main event status on short notice following UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones suffering a torn pec.
Pereira teased a move up to heavyweight eventually in his post-fight interview.
