Alex Pereira explains decision to take UFC 303 short-notice fight: ‘The spirits are with me’

Alex Pereira saved UFC 300 by defending his light heavyweight title on short notice versus Jamahal Hill. Now, he steps up on even shorter notice to save UFC 303.

Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler are no longer headlining the International Fight Week show on June 29 in Las Vegas, so “Poatan” has agreed to rematch Jiri Prochazka in a 205-pound title defense at T-Mobile Arena on two weeks’ notice.

The Brazilian took to social media to explain why he decided to put his belt on the line and enter the cage for the fourth time in a span of 11 months.

“I understand that this fight is very close and there may be difficulties with the lead up time BUT if there is somebody that can make this happen it is me! POATAN!” Pereira wrote. “This is why I am one of the biggest names in the UFC Alex Pereira!!! I take risks that not one other person would be willing to take but I know I have my ancestors with me. The spirits are with me and I’m ready for it all.”

Pereira (10-2) enters the UFC cage for the ninth time. In a short but already accomplished run, he has won belts in two divisions, scoring dramatic wins over Prochazka and Israel Adesanya. The former two-division GLORY Kickboxing champion knocked out Prochazka the first time they met in November 2023 to claim the vacant gold.

Prochazka (30-4-1) rebounded from the defeat with a second-round knockout of Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 300, and now has the opportunity to avenge his only loss inside the octagon. A former UFC and RIZIN champion, Prochazka was victorious in 14 of his past 15 bouts, defeating the likes of Glover Teixeira, Dominick Reyes, and Vadim Nemkov.