The two men who will top this month’s UFC 303 card in Las Vegas have spoken.
It was confirmed overnight by UFC CEO Dana White that reigning light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will defend his crown in a rematch against former champ Jiri Prochazka; news which comes after it was confirmed that injury will prevent original headliner Conor McGregor from his scheduled bout with Michael Chandler.
And despite having just over two weeks to prepare for the contest, both Pereira and Prochazka are confident that they will find a path to victory in Las Vegas late on June 29.
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“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!” a message posted in both Portuguese and English read on Pereira’s social media profiles.
He added: “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.”
His opponent Prochazka, meanwhile, kept his own message brief: “I am going to be the perfect storm. No space for mistakes, just WIN NOW HERE.”
The fight will be Pereira’s second defence of the UFC 205-pound title and follows April’s first-round KO win against Jamahal Hill that topped the UFC 300 card, also in Las Vegas. Pereira won the then-vacant title with a second-round TKO win over Prochazka back in November.
Since then, the Czech fighter has scored a TKO win of his own against Aleksandar Rakic — also on April’s UFC 300 card.
