Alex Pereira sent Jiri Prochazka into another pressing phase of self-reflection after a definitive head kick knockout finish in their rematch, as the light-heavyweight champion made defence #2 of his 205lb title to headline a second UFC PPV in 11 weeks – after Las Vegas resident Dan Ige stepped up on four hours’ notice and produced a spirited effort vs. Diego Lopes in the co-main.
Pereira produces another scary finish
R2, 0:13 — Alex Pereira (c) bt. Jiri Prochazka via TKO (switch kick, punches)
- Activity is key: This win means Poatan is now tied for the most UFC title fight wins since 2022 (4) with lightweight champion Islam Makhachev
- Champ hunting for a bonus as heavyweight links resume… “I said all week I was gonna be victorious, didn’t know how but leave the Octagon happy. Heavyweight is in my future, there wasn’t much interest in it before but I’m ready. The fans have a lot of say as they pay for it. I never ask for anything, should’ve got the bonus for UFC 300… how about now?”
- Time to reflect: Prochazka updates fans on social media, saying: “Thanks for all your support, there’s only one thing on my mind: I need to evolve to the next level or don’t fight again, to be the strongest, this is the way.”
SEVEN months after their first meeting, Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka 2 was a surprise short-notice championship main event and the need for finality was the most pressing storyline given how things ended first time around in New York.
Pereira landed a big left hook less than 90 seconds into the round, Prochazka plodding forward and throwing haymakers of his own as they exchanged in the pocket. Snapping leg kicks worked well and often for the champion, both to legs and body, before digging to the midsection with his back to the fence in the clinch.
Prochazka seemed a little off-balance once they separated and things would only worsen in the final seconds of a first round which flew by. After getting his lead leg chewed up by low kicks, he was on his back and in a daze as the horn sounded – Pereira’s left hook landed flush as Jiri advanced looking to land his own left.
A few more seconds in that sequence could’ve seen referee Herb Dean wave it off but instead the punishment was prolonged into a second stanza and rather suddenly too. He hadn’t recovered fast enough between rounds and Pereira landed a sickening switch kick to shut his lights out – after a few more hammer fists for good measure.
Pereira has now won four fights in 11 months and judging by the nonchalant way he appeared to put a dislocated toe back in position, having just detonated it on Prochazka’s skull, it wouldn’t be surprising to learn he wants to return rather soon again as tomorrow’s landscape isn’t ever set in stone. Waiting isn’t an option.
#2 ranked Magomed Anklaev, who beat Johnny Walker in January, is perhaps his final 205lb test before those heavyweight rumours prove too good to ignore – especially knowing Jon Jones’ long-term future isn’t clear and interim champion Tom Aspinall defends his status against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 next month.
Lopes survives Ige’s inspired late flurry
#14 ranked ranked featherweight Diego Lopes endured a series of uncomfortable fight week changes before a proposed co-main event slot against former title challenger Brian Ortega, weight fluctuations and more before eventually fighting Dan Ige – who accepted the callup on four hours’ notice – at a 165lb catchweight.
It felt fitting the Brazilian was on his back, surviving a spirited onslaught in the final frame of an entertaining-but-frenetic fight between two high-level operators needing to adapt, and quickly. Ige to Lopes’ slick submission manoevures, while Diego knew engaging with Dynamite in a stand-up battle wasn’t his path to victory.
Lopes threatened a submission late in R1, before logging three minutes’ control time during the subsequent frame – when the pair combined for 20 of 28 significant strikes landed. Eric Nicksick urged Ige to produce more activity and to empty the tank against the 29-year-old, especially given the circumstances, and duly obliged.
The longtime contender landed more than half of his significant strike total (25 of 42) in the third round alone, at a 60% connect percentage as Lopes found himself lit up by stinging strikes on the feet – guilty of clock-watching – and trying to stem the flow of momentum by baiting him into grappling exchanges up against the fence.
Both used mic time to stake their claim for a matchup slot at the promotion’s first event at the newly-launched Sphere, at UFC 306 on September 14. Ortega already said he’ll move up to lightweight and it’s unlikely any ranked top-15 contenders above them will be open to defend their spot against either. Rematch, anyone?
Rest of main card, prelim results
Light-heavyweight: Roman Dolidze [10, middleweight] bt. Anthony Smith [10] via UD3 (30-27, 29-28 x 2)
Women’s Bantamweight: Macy Chiasson [7] bt. Mayra Bueno Silva [3] via R2 TKO (doctor stoppage, due to cut)
Welterweight: Ian Machado Garry [7] bt. Michael Page [14] via UD3 (29-28 x 3)
Prelims
Middleweight: Joe Pyfer bt. Marc-Andre Barriault via R1 KO (punches)
Featherweight: Andre Fili bt. Cub Swanson via split decision (28-29, 29-28 x 2)
Catchweight (147.5lbs): Jean Silva bt. Charles Jourdain via R2 KO (punch)
Bantamweight: Payton Talbott bt. Yanis Ghemmouri via R1 KO (punches)
Early prelims
Women’s Strawweight: Gilian Robertson [15] bt. Michelle Waterson-Gomez [14] via UD3 (30-27 x 2, 30-26)
Heavyweight: Martin Buday bt. Andrei Arlovski via split (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Flyweight: Rei Tsuruya bt. Carlos Hernandez via UD3 (29-28 x 3)
Bantamweight: Vinicius Oliveira bt. Ricky Simon via UD3 (30-27 x 2, 29-28)
Picture source: Getty Images, quotes via UFC broadcast
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