Report – UFC 303: Pereira vs Procházka

For a card whose build-up was as dramatic as UFC 303's was, it was inevitable that the card would be under some pressure to be as entertaining. MMA fans' collective hearts sank when it was announced the original main event, Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler, would not be going forward due to a broken toe from McGregor.

What replaced it was a match-up that although lacking the spectacle of the "Mac Show," was in many ways better – a Light Heavyweight Championship bout between Brazilian Alex Pereira and Czech Jiří Procházka.

The card was bolstered by the last-minute inclusion of Dan Ige for Brian Ortega in a catchweight contest with Diego Lopes, and the presence of Japanese WWE Superstar, Shinsuke Nakamura, making his return to the MMA world by cornering his countrymen, Rei Tsuruya for his fight. While some fans were disappointed with the flow of the card, I think it was a job well done, considering the circumstances.

As for the main event, it was a brief, yet spectacular affair.

Procházka, the challenger, looked tentative as he stood wary of the potent counter-punching from the champion, Pereira. Procházka was stilted in his typical unorthodox and unpredictable style, as every inbound attempt was thwarted by the possibility of a Pereira KO.

After multiple striking attempts were prevented, Procházka took to the cage with some clinch grappling, in an attempt to take down Pereira. However, Pereira was resolute in his defense through a modicum of body punches toward Procházka, until he got a clean break.

In the final moments of the round, Pereira delivered a counter left hook to drop Procházka, who was so dazed he seemed unaware that the round was over as he kept beckoning Pereira to the mat.

The fight ended within a few seconds of the second round as a head kick from Pereira dropped Procházka. A deluge of punches tumbled down on the Czech before referee, Herb Dean, stepped in.

Where Pereira goes from here is unknown. The Russian grappler Magomed Ankolaev is the only opponent at 205 that seems capable of dethroning the champion. Pereira has mentioned another possibility – moving to heavyweight.

But, I'd prefer to see how the main event at UFC 305, Dricus du Plessis vs Israel Adesanya, plays out. If Adesanya wins, a trilogy with Pereira at 185 is an enticing prospect. Equally so, is Adesanya moving up to 205 to face Pereira in a bid for champ-champ status.

Whatever way it plays, we know with the man they call Poatan, the power will be brought any which way.

FULL CARD RESULTS

205 – Alex Pereira def Jiří Procházka — KO (head kick + punches)

165 – Diego Lopes def Dan Ige — Decision (unanimous)

205 – Roman Dolidze def Anthony Smith – Decision (unanimous)

135 – Macy Chiasson def Marya Bueno Silva — TKO (doctor stoppage)

170 – Ian Machado Garry def Michael Page — Decision (unanimous)

185 – Joe Pyfer def Marc-André Barriault — KO (punches)

145 – Andre Fili def Cub Swanson — Decision (split)

147 – Jean Silva def Charles Jourdan — KO (punch)

135 – Payton Talbott def Yanis Ghemmouri — KO (punches)

115 – Gillian Robertson def Michelle Waterson-Gomez — Decision (unanimous)

205+ – Martin Buday def Andrei Arlovski — Decision (split)

125 – Rei Tsuruya def Carlos Hernandez — Decision (unanimous)

135 – Vinicius Oliveira def Ricky Simón — Decision (unanimous)