Fighters are often called upon to step up and rise to the occasion in the UFC. Some back down, while others rise to the occasion. Conor McGregor‘s unexpected injury forced him out of the highly-anticipated UFC 303 main event. This left the promotion in desperate need of a savior. Enter light heavyweight king Alex Pereira, who answered the call without hesitation.
Newly released behind-the-scenes footage offered a rare glimpse into the moment Alex Pereira received the offer to replace McGregor. In the clip, the Brazilian can be seen on a phone call with his manager. The UFC offered him the opportunity to defend his title against Jiri Prochazka with just two weeks’ notice. ‘Poatan’ bravely accepted the matchup and saved the UFC 303 PPV event.
His expression shifted from curiosity to determination as the details unfolded. With a resolute “Chama!” Portuguese for “Let’s do it!” Pereira seized the opportunity. He agreed to headline the UFC 303 event, replacing McGregor vs. Michael Chandler. The team members that were around him erupted in excitement. Their jubilant reactions were a testament to the champion’s willingness to embrace the challenge head-on.
The decision from Pereira to step up on short notice like this reverberated happiness from fight fans. At the same time, it has become usual for Pereira, who is always on the lookout for a fight. This is a huge risk to take on less than a month of preparation time. His opponent, Jiri Prochazka, always the stoic figure, will come ready for war this time around.
Jiri Prochazka vows to be the ‘perfect storm’ to uproot Alex Pereira
The UFC is a fascinating faction full of phenomenal characters, and Prochazka stands out as the most fascinating of all the top contenders. Renewed with ambition, Jiri Prochazka prepares to face Alex Pereira in their high-stakes battle at UFC 303. The former light heavyweight champion has embarked on an unconventional journey.
Jiri Prochazka is ready for Alex Pereira (via MMA Mania)Prochazka took to Instagram recently after the announcement of the fight. The Czech fighter understood the magnitude of this rematch. He knew there was no room for mistakes against the tremendous power of Pereira. Last time, he got caught by the powerful left strike from Pereira. Moreover, the referee, Marc Goddard, may have stopped the fight too soon. As such, Prochazka remains determined to win this time.
Prochazka recently subjected himself to a three-day meditation ritual, locking himself in a darkened room with no food or light. It’s a practice that has become a staple in his fight preparations, alongside training sessions in the serene wilderness of the forest. With an unwavering determination to emerge victorious, the Czech fighter seemed intent on winning back the light heavyweight title at UFC 303.
