The UFC light heavyweight division is buzzing with anticipation as reigning champion Alex Pereira and challenger Jiri Prochazka prepare to face off in the main event at UFC 303. However, what caught everyone off guard was Pereira’s decision to accept the fight on short notice.
The Unexpected Showdown
The stage was set for Conor McGregor to challenge Pereira, but an injury forced the Irishman out of the bout. Enter Jiri Prochazka, the No. 1-ranked contender, who stepped up to fill the void. Prochazka, fresh off a TKO victory over Aleksandar Rakic, was ready for his shot at the title. But would Pereira be willing to defend his belt with minimal preparation?
In an exclusive interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Prochazka expressed his surprise at Pereira’s acceptance. “I was a little bit surprised by that,” he admitted. “I don’t know what was the reason he said yes, if it’s money or something else, but communication with me from the UFC, they gave me some better – I don’t want to be concrete, but we negotiated about better money.”
The Bigger Picture
Despite the surprise, Prochazka remains focused on the ultimate goal: winning the title and bringing it back to the Czech Republic. “For me, this is not so important because the main point is, I will get the title,” he emphasized.
This isn’t the first time Prochazka and Pereira have crossed paths. Last year, they fought for the vacant light heavyweight title at UFC 295. Pereira emerged victorious with a second-round knockout. Now, Prochazka seeks redemption and a chance to rewrite history.
Jiri Prochazka’s Bold Prediction
As fight night approaches, Prochazka predicts an intense battle. “I believe in the chances and I believe in the spontaneous decisions,” he said. Whether it’s last chance or first chance, Prochazka is ready to seize the moment.
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