Alex Pereira secured his position in the light heavyweight division with another title defense against Jiri Prochazka. ‘Poatan’ took on Prochazka on short notice, but put out the former champion once again with a brutal head kick. However, the light heavyweight champion is not all barbaric as he sent out a warm message to his injured opponent.
Alex Pereira addressed the reporters at the post-fight press conference. A reporter asked Pereira what words of encouragement he would send to Jiri Prochazka after beating him at UFC 303. ‘Poatan’ sent out a heartfelt message to the former champion wishing him speedy recovery and good luck for future fights.
I wish him a speedy recovery and hope that he will be good on his future plans. One more message for him, I know he talks a lot about spirituality, just so he knows, the same god that blessed us is the one that protects us. I pray a lot for him and for me to be well after this fight.
Alex Pereira at UFC 303 post-fight press conference
Jiri Prochazka had previously accused Alex Pereira of using spiritual rituals and shamanic spirits to gain an advantage in their fights. Pereira, in response, accepted these accusations against himself. He stated that everybody has their own spirits and he had found his. It was not his fault if Prochazka had not found him or if he did not believe.
Alex Pereira sends a heartfelt message to Jiri Prochazka after their fight ❤️
“I know he talks a lot about spirituality. Just so he knows, the same god that blessed us is the one that protects us.
I pray a lot for him and for me to be well after this fight.”
🎥 @ufc #UFC303… pic.twitter.com/LAIHj4tdWn
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 30, 2024
The fight lasted two rounds. Pereira delivered a brutal head kick thirteen seconds into the second round and followed up with a little ground and pound to secure the win. However, in doing so the light heavyweight champion ended up hurting himself.
Alex Pereira injured his toe by kicking Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303
‘Poatan’ had fought his first title defense against Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 with a broken toe. This injury forced him to sit out UFC 301 which happened on his home ground in Brazil. The same injury came back to haunt him after he delivered the brutal head kick against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303.
Alex Pereira knocks out Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 (via MMA Fighting)After the fight, Pereira did an interview with ESPN MMA reporter Megan Olivi. She asked him about adjusting his foot in the octagon after he put out Prochazka with the knockout shot. Pereira revealed through his translator, Plinio Cruz, that he did indeed hurt himself during the fight.
Well, I was just hurt a little bit because I probably kicked hard during the fight, but right now it’s not even as bad as it should be if it was an injury as before, so right now I am fine.
Alex Pereira to Megan Olivi
At the post-fight press conference, a reporter asked Pereira about his plans after the fight. The Brazilian revealed that he plans to take a break for a while, likely two weeks or longer. There are exciting matchups lined up for ‘Poatan’ post his UFC 303 victory.
Jamahal Hill has been demanding a rematching for a while. Meanwhile, Magomed Anakalaev is another exciting name being thrown around for a potential fight. Jon Jones is another prospective fight lined up for the two-division champion. It will be interesting to see who ‘Poatan’ fights next after his well-deserved break.
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