Spectacular switch-kick knockout makes Pereira a legend
Instead of celebrating the return of MMA icon Conor McGregor, UFC 303 marked the birth of a new legend in combat sports. Highlights of Alex Pereira are plentiful, as the Brazilian delivers his most spectacular knockout win.
UFC 303 was supposed to be the return of Conor McGregor to the Octagon, but an injury to the Irishman disrupted the entire event. Several fights were rescheduled at the last minute, with the main event between Light-Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira and challenger Jiri Prochazka providing at least a sportingly even replacement for the fallen MMA icon. The event in Las Vegas was to end in a spectacular fashion.
Champion Alex "Poatan" Pereira had defeated Prochazka half a year ago, but the Czech also caused him problems. Prochazka was agile in the first round and tried to lure the Brazilian with feints. Pereira responded dryly with jabbing leg kicks and hard hooks, which troubled Prochazka. His strongest moment came when he managed to clinch Pereira against the cage and worked with knee strikes. Just as the round ended, Pereira landed a hard left hook and Prochazka went down. He signaled that he was able to continue, but his wobbly legs could not be hidden as he went to his corner.
For Pereira, this was a signal to apply more pressure, and he didn't need long to do so. With a switch kick to Prochazka's head, he sent his opponent back down within a few seconds. Several follow-up strikes against the dazed Prochazka and the fight was over. In just two years in MMA, Pereira has won over the sport and the fans, the only major step missing: Asked if he didn't also want to become Heavyweight champion and champion in three weight classes, the Brazilian replied: "The fans have a lot to decide. If that's what the fans want, then it will happen." Pereira then straightened his large, extended big toe in the ring, the one he had used to initiate his spectacular finish.
Ige from the massage table into the Co-Main Event
In the second main event, Dan Ige and Diego Lopes faced each other. A pairing that probably only came about because the originally intended Brian Ortega had to withdraw due to health problems during weight cutting. The pairing Lopes/Ortega was also quickly put together after the McGregor withdrawal. Ige was announced as a replacement just three hours before the fight and went into the duel with the Brazilian more or less unprepared.
Lopes started as usual with wild swings. Once both fighters were in clinch range, Lopes rained blows. His experienced opponent was able to hold the cover and took little damage. Towards the end of the round, Ige attempted a takedown, but found himself in an armbar attempt (D'Arce Choke) instead. The remaining ten seconds were not enough for Lopes to force the submission. Lopes remained faithful to this strategy: In round two, he ducked under an Ige kick and took the fight to the ground again. There, he controlled the action, while Ige landed only occasional strikes.
This changed in the third round: Ige landed crashing right hooks, which caused Lopes to wobble properly. He put his opponent in order, punch for punch finding his mark. The Brazilian set totally exhausted for the takedown, Ige turned the position to his advantage and found himself on the ground in the dominant position over his opponent again. Lopes took heavy blows, survived the round but. The judges gave him two out of the three rounds and thus the win - Ige only kept the favor of the audience. He received the call while he was getting a massage, says Ige after the fight. Regardless, whether it's four weeks, four days or four hours - he's ready when they need him.
Ian Garry displays Fight-IQ
The UFC newcomer Michael Page had already shown off his impressive striking and enormous speed in his debut against Kevin Holland. His still undefeated opponent Ian Machado Garry wouldn't let himself be outdone by this game. The Irishman, who is reminiscent of McGregor in his demeanor, has won all 14 of his professional fights in the Welterweight division to date, against Page he bet on his grappling.
Relatively early in Round One, Garry caught a kick from the Brit and threw him to the ground. There, the 26-year-old took control of his opponent's back and went for the submission. Page felt uncomfortable in this position, but managed to defend against the Rear Naked Choke. The control time and many small strikes brought Garry points from the judges in this round.
In Round Two, the 37-year-old Page was able to decide for himself: Heavy jabs and good one-two combinations shook up his opponent nicely. Garry tried to take the fight back to the ground, but could only manage to set one leg hook that didn't put Page in any danger. In Round Three, Garry had another moment to pin the Brit against the cage. From there, he was able to regain control of the back, set submission attempts and strikes. Standing up, Page tried to free himself, but he couldn't. Garry was able to decide the fight on points and remains undefeated. He knew that he couldn't let himself be drawn into Page's fighting style if he wanted to win, he said after the fight. His goal now is the title.
Mixed Martial Arts and sport are closely associated with Alex Pereira's rise to fame within the Ultimate Fighting Championship. His victory in the main event of UFC 303, against Jiri Prochazka, showcased his skills as a formidable competitor in these combat sports.
Despite being a relatively new addition to Mixed Martial Arts, Alex Pereira's performance in the Ultimate Fighting Championship has gained him a significant following. His desire to potentially become a Heavyweight champion and champion in three weight classes reflects his ambition to continue excelling in this sport.
