UFC light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira, obliterated former 205-pound kingpin, Jiri Prochazka, in the UFC 303 pay-per-view (PPV) main event last Sat. night (June 29, 2024) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
His second-round starching marked the Brazilian’s second straight title defense and third straight victory by way of knockout, prompting fans (and pundits) to revisit Pereira’s previous comments about fighting current heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
“Poatan’s” coach, Glover Teixeira, expects Pereira to compete as high as 246 pounds.
“I’m standing up there with the belt and I had Joe Rogan in my ear the whole time we were up there: ‘Let him fight heavyweight! C’mon! Just do it!’ I know that’s what people wanna see,” UFC CEO Dana White told reporters during the UFC 303 post-fight press conference (watch it here). “We’ll see how this whole thing plays out. When we were talking to him tonight, he doesn’t give a s—t. He said, ‘I’ll fight at heavyweight. I’ll fight wherever you want, whenever you want.’ He’s ready to turn around and wants to fight again, right away. He’s that guy. He’s a savage man, an absolute stud.”
White also said the promotion remains committed to Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic.
It’s worth noting that interim UFC heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall, is rematching No. 4-ranked Curtis Blaydes at the upcoming UFC 304 PPV event next month in Manchester, so it’s probably not the best time for Pereira, 36, to make the move to 265 pounds.
I doubt anyone is clamoring for an Alex Pereira vs. Jailton Almeida “super fight.”
The more likely scenario is that Pereira (11-2) returns at the end of the year to make his next light heavyweight title defense against No. 2-ranked contender Magomed Ankalaev. Until then, enjoy the “Poatan” highlight reel, starting with UFC 303’s head-kick knockout.
For more UFC 303 results, reactions, and highlight videos click HERE.