UFC 303: Staff Predictions For Pereira vs. Procházka 2, Ortega vs. Lopes, Garry vs. Page, & More

UFC 303 is now only a couple of days away, and what better way to get hyped for the upcoming pay-per-view than with some MMA News staff predictions for the International Fight Week card?

The event will be available exclusively on ESPN+ pay-per-view on Saturday, June 29, 2024. The main card begins at 10 PM ET, while the preliminary card kicks off at 6 PM ET.

The main event will see UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira run it back with ex-divisional kingpin Ji?í Procházka on short notice, with the pair slotting into the headline spot as a replacement for the canceled showdown between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler.

Also colliding with little preparation will be former two-time featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega and surging jiu-jitsu specialist Diego Lopes in the co-main event, as well as 205-pound veteran Anthony Smith and ranked middleweight Roman Dolidze.

Elsewhere on the main card, Mayra Bueno Silva will be backing action for the first time since falling short of the bantamweight title at UFC 297 this past January. While she’s tasked with defending her spot on the ladder against Macy Chiasson, it’ll be a similar story for undefeated welterweight Ian Garry, who fights down the pecking order against Michael “Venom” Page in Saturday’s PPV opener.

UFC 303: MMA News Staff Predictions

Ahead of Saturday’s UFC 303 event, Kyle Dimond, Ryan Jarrell, Thomas Albano, Tyriece Simon, and Andrew Starc have provided their picks for the five-fight main card, which you can see below.

• Light Heavyweight Championship Main Event: Alex Pereira (C) vs. Ji?í Procházka
• Featherweight: Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes
• Light Heavyweight: Anthony Smith vs. Roman Dolidze
• Women’s Bantamweight: Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Macy Chiasson
• Welterweight: Ian Garry vs. Michael Page

Welterweight: Ian Garry vs. Michael Page

Kyle Dimond: It’s hard to see this fight being anything other than lots of feints for me personally. While Page is a very good striker at a distance, his biggest weapon is his unorthodox movement and timing in combination with his blitz attack and creative offense. When I picture a few of those happening per round, I think Garry might just be sharp enough to land effectively in these moments as Page comes in.

It’s going to be a very hard fight to call and I think there’s a decent chance of “MVP” landing a shot that ends the fight. If he can’t do that, I think the Irishman edges out a razor-close decision, which seems just ever so slightly more likely. (Prediction: Ian Garry)

Ryan Jarrell: Garry and Page will be Fight of the Night. Mark my words, this one is going to be fun. I know I’m not really going out on a limb here as these guys styles should lead to a back-and-forth standup battle that should be very exciting for as long as it lasts. “Venom” will have a five-inch reach advantage, and if he fights technically, he could put Garry in some very difficult situations. Ultimately, I expect the younger fighter in the Irishman to outlast any early adversity and finish this fight late. (Prediction: Ian Garry)

Thomas Albano: The idea of this matchup seemed to be tossed around with nothing coming out of the potential of Garry vs. Colby Covington bout. On the surface, with Garry’s rise among the ranks and popularity and Page’s popularity from his explosive knockout past, this seems like it would be a barnburner to start off the PPV card. And yet, both could use a noteworthy performance despite coming off wins. Garry hasn’t looked great in his last couple of outings against the likes of Neil Magny and Geoff Neal, while Page’s UFC debut against Kevin Holland proved to be forgettable.

This matchup could go one of two ways. It either ends up being explosive with both men firing off their best shots or it will be slow fight with plenty of clinch work that will end up proving unpopular to the live crowd. Unfortunately, I foresee more of the latter, which the UFC probably isn’t hoping for after all the moving and shaking surrounding this card’s structure. And if the fight goes in that direction, and the longer the might goes on, the more it tips in Garry’s favor. (Prediction: Ian Garry)

Tyriece Simon: This matchup has the potential to be the best fight on the card. Garry and Page have been taking jabs at each other in interviews and on social media, so fans should expect both to be extra motivated to win decisively. That said, I believe Garry will be victorious. The critical factor will be the Irishman attacking the legs of the former Bellator standout early on. I think “The Future” will utilize leg and oblique kicks to slow down the movement of “MVP.”

Another potential issue for Page is that he likes to rush into his opponent with punches. In his fight with Magny, Garry showed he can fight well in the clinch, and I think he can time a body lock when the Brit rushes in. In these moments, the Dubliner could try to fight “Venom” against the cage and possibly look for sweeps to take the fight to the ground, which he has done in past fights. I’m not sure if Garry can finish Page, but I do think he has shown to be more of a diverse fighter to outpoint his opponent on Saturday. (Prediction Ian Garry)

Andrew Starc: This is going to be a tough test for Garry, who’ll need to contend with an opponent who has a longer reach and years of experience. Having earned a unanimous decision against Holland on his UFC debut in March, Page has all the tools to match or eclipse the Irishman in the striking department, and he’s surely a step up in caliber from what “The Future” has faced in the past. I think this will be the fight that ends Garry’s undefeated record. (Prediction: Michael Page)

Consensus: 4-1 Ian Garry

Bantamweight: Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Macy Chiasson

Kyle Dimond: Bueno Silva has got some questions to answer in this one. Her vacant title fight against Raquel Pennington last time out was not a particularly inspiring display, which makes me second guess whether she can close the gap on Chiasson. However, if she does, I expect her to have the grappling advantage, so my pick is a second-round submission for “Sheetara.” (Prediction: Mayra Bueno Silva)

Ryan Jarrell: The lone female fight on the main card should be a fun one. But it’s also the fight I am least confident when it comes to picking a winner. I think this one could go either way, to be honest. Chiasson has a large height and reach advantage in the bantamweight bout, but will she be able to utilize it? I’m not so sure she will be able to do so because of how well rounded of a fighter Bueno Silva is. I believe we will see a close fight here, but in the end, give me “Sheetara” to get her hand raised. (Prediction: Mayra Bueno Silva)

Thomas Albano: Bueno Silva started a run upon her return to bantamweight in 2022, winning three straight fights. Things seemed to continue to go that route with a good performance against Holly Holm last year. But that win’s overturning due to a failed drug test – combined with a lackluster outing in a title fight loss (an opportunity she probably didn’t deserve) – has left a bitter taste in the mouths of some in the MMA world.

Chiasson wasn’t on the best of runs either, but the year-and-a-half away from the Octagon she had seemed to do her wonders. She looked great in her return to bantamweight, with her first-round submission of Pannie Kianzad proving to be an eye-catching performance. Chiasson may not have the same glare about her as she did winning The Ultimate Fighter, but she still has plenty of potential. And when you match these two up side by side, it’s pretty clear which is the better all-around fighter. (Prediction: Macy Chiasson)

Tyriece Simon: I think Bueno Silva will be a tough matchup for Chiasson. Although the New Orleans native has a significant height and reach advantage, I don’t believe she can keep her opponent at a distance. “Sheetara’s” striking has continued to improve, as she showed in her fight against Holm. I expect Bueno Silva to pressure Chiasson and try to grapple with her against the cage. If she can consistently get on the inside and use her grappling, the Brazilian should be able to win on the scorecards. However, I believe she will get it done inside the distance with a submission. (Prediction: Mayra Bueno Silva) 

Andrew Starc: Chiasson definitely has the height and reach advantage in this one, so she’ll likely have the advantage on the feet. She is coming off a first-round submission win against Kianzad in March, and she’s only been submitted once in her career. However, I think Bueno Silva’s strong grappling could pose problems. She was on a four-fight unbeaten streak prior to losing her championship bout with Pennington in January. I think “Sheetara” will get back in the win column here. (Prediction: Mayra Bueno Silva)

Consensus: 4-1 Mayra Bueno Silva

Light Heavyweight: Anthony Smith vs. Roman Dolidze

Kyle Dimond: Where to even start with this pick-and-mix fight. It seems that it has worked out pretty well for Smith, at least on paper I’d say. Dolidze moving back up a weight class on late notice off the back of two losses feels a long way away from the momentum that was behind him after the Jack Hermansson win back in December of 2022. Not to mention, Smith just secured his best win in a long time when he submitted Vitor Petrino in Brazil last month.

I think “Lionheart” might take it. He’s got some losses on his record but I can’t really see either man getting a finish in this fight, and without seeing the Georgian compete at light heavyweight against a top name with a full camp, Smith seems like the safer bet. (Prediction: Anthony Smith)

Ryan Jarrell: Dolidze steps in on short notice to replace Carlos Ulberg and take on Smith. This is a great thing for “Lionheart” and gives him a much better chance of winning in my opinion. But the Georgian is no slouch, so Smith must stay technical and away from the power of his opponent. This is a very important fight for Smith if he hopes to climb back to the top of the division, as a loss to a middleweight moving up on late notice could be damaging. This is a tough fight to pick but I have a hunch that the veteran will get in done and stay a relevant part of the 205-pound roster. (Prediction: Anthony Smith)

Thomas Albano: This matchup is…weird. I still can’t believe we went from Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree to this. Anyway, Smith is trying to prove he still has something left in the tank, and he did that in a big way against Petrino in Brazil last month. He’s now won two of three and is looking to maintain – and elevate – his spot in the top 10 of the light heavyweight rankings. Dolidze, meanwhile, was riding high with a 6-1 Octagon record entering 2023. But back-to-back losses against Marvin Vettori and Nassourdine Imavov have placed a bit of a setback for him at middleweight.

Dolidze may be a grappling world champion, but he could be in for a tougher time trying to focus on that in his gameplan against someone like Smith, who has 15 submission victories in his career. If the Georgian keeps the fight standing, he possesses the power (maybe not so much speed, but I’d still give him the speed edge over Smith) to finish “Lionheart” at a moment’s notice. The question might be where does Dolidze go from here? Is he taking a light heavyweight fight simply because it’s a fight he’s taking on mere days’ notice? Or, if he gets an impressive performance, could he be thinking about a move to 205 pounds? Dolidze did compete at light heavyweight prior to joining the UFC, mind you. (Prediction: Roman Dolidze)

Tyriece Simon: This fight is the hardest on the main card to predict. Both are stepping up to compete on short notice, with Dolidze returning to light heavyweight. It’s important to note that the Georgian is undefeated at 205 pounds with seven wins. I don’t believe readjusting to fighting at light heavyweight will be an issue for him. 

“Lionheart” had a great victory over Petrino in his last fight, but I’m still unsure if he can have similar success on Saturday. I think a big factor for me is whether Smith can still endure strikes at this stage of his career against Dolidze, who has knockout power. If the veteran American can use his grappling and sap away at the energy of his opponent, who is fighting on shorter notice, he can win by decision. That said, I think Dolidze will still be undefeated at light heavyweight, and I wouldn’t be shocked if that’s by way of a knockout. (Prediction: Roman Dolidze)

Andrew Starc: It’s hard to see Dolidze overcoming the odds here. Smith’s recent record is patchy, but he’s coming off a submission win against Petrino in May. Dolidze, meanwhile, is stepping up to light heavyweight on eight days’ notice and he’s on a two-fight skid. I think Smith’s experience and grappling nous will get him the win. (Prediction: Anthony Smith)

Consensus: 3-2 Anthony Smith

Featherweight: Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes

Kyle Dimond: This has bonus money written all over it and might be the toughest one to call on this main card. Ortega is a bit of a strange case because he always seems to surprise people with how good he actually is purely because he isn’t very active. But at the same time, even in his impressive wins, he tends to take a decent amount of damage, and Lopes is a finisher. The question is whether his fight with Movsar Evloev was a true reflection of where he belongs in this division.

Ortega does seem relatively checked out at this weight class for the time being, so this could be the right fight at the right time for Lopes. I’ve gone back and forth on this one but I am going to back “T-City” via decision. I don’t see it hitting the floor and I think, with his toughness keeping him in the fight, Ortega may have just that bit more in him. (Prediction: Brian Ortega)

Ryan Jarrell: The UFC has to be very excited about the young phenom Lopes, and rightfully so. He is 3-1 thus far in the largest promotion in the world and has faced some stiff competition. Ortega, however, is by far his toughest test to date. I truly believe Lopes will be a title contender at some point down the line, but the time is not now. Give me “T-City” to use his veteran tactics and outpoint the young lion. (Prediction: Brian Ortega)

Thomas Albano: The madness of UFC 303’s shuffling has led to a huge opportunity for Brian Ortega – and an even bigger opportunity for Diego Lopes. Over a year-and-a-half after suffering a shoulder injury against Yair Rodríguez, Ortega returned in a big way by submitting him in spectacular fashion in February. Spectacular is also the word to describe Lopes’ time in the Octagon thus far. Just four fights into the UFC, he’s had a narrow loss to Evloev and highlight finishes of Gavin Tucker, Pat Sabatini, and Sodiq Yusuff.

This should be one of the best fights on the card, even with how quick and sudden it’s come together. It’s a big step up to be taking on a two-time title challenger on less than a month’s notice, but it’s the biggest opportunity of Lopes’ life – and he needs to make the most of it. And the thing is, he has the capability to get it done. “T-City” might be tough to finish with a solid chin, but Lopes possesses some explosive speed and power with his striking. Even on the ground, the up-and-comer could be able to duel in grappling with Ortega with his jiu-jitsu experience. Lopes, in fact, has more wins via submission in his MMA career than he holds KO/TKOs. If he continues his run with the kind of circumstances he’s facing here, one can only imagine the kind of major doors that will open for him. (Prediction: Diego Lopes)

Tyriece Simon: The question coming into this fight is if the UFC is pushing Lopes to the top of the division too soon. He is coming off an incredible knockout win over Yusuff at UFC 300, but Ortega is a big challenge on short notice. “T-City” has continued to evolve on the feet and has a tested chin that has held up against the likes of Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski.

An important key to the fight will be if Lopes wants to engage in grappling with Ortega. The featherweight prospect tends to stay on his back if taken down because he has great jiu-jitsu ability to be a threat. However, the former title challenger is equally capable, and I believe Lopes could find himself on his back for too long, similar to his fight against Evloev. Ultimately, I lean toward Ortega getting the win by decision. (Prediction: Brian Ortega)

Andrew Starc: This is a huge step up in competition for Lopes. Ortega is coming off a submission win against Rodríguez in February, while Lopes has racked up three first-round finishes in the past year. The Mexican-based Brazilian is the bigger man with huge KO power, and both fighters have good grappling. However, I think if “T-City” survives a first-round onslaught from Lopes, his experience will see him get the win. (Prediction: Brian Ortega)

Consensus: 4-1 Brian Ortega

UFC Light Heavyweight Title: Alex Pereira vs. Ji?í Procházka

Kyle Dimond: My big question going into the first fight was whether the unorthodox movement and angles of Procházka would cause even someone like Pereira some issues. While the Czech star had his moments, the fight was effectively a ticking time bomb due to the leg kicks that he was taking. His movement is one of his biggest weapons but his stance leaves him so open to them.

Procházka is also not the kind of fighter who you can imagine coming in with a game plan of tying “Poatan” up to get the win. With that in mind, despite being a huge fan or “BJP,” it’s hard to see him having much more success than last time unless he lands something big early on before the kicks take their toll. I envision the champ landing a knockout blow in round three. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)

Ryan Jarrell: With the unreal power that “Poatan” possesses, it is extremely hard to pick against current the champ. I did like what I saw from Procházka in his most recent win over Aleksandar Raki?, but Pereira is a whole different animal. I think we will see a more cautious Czechia native this time around, and he will do a better job of staying away from KO shots. Ultimately, however, I don’t think he will do enough to wrestle the belt away from Alex. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)

Thomas Albano: Pereira and Procházka have the hearts and spirits of warriors, as evident by the fact the former is now stepping up a second time in about three months to take a main event at a major UFC pay-per-view on short notice – as well as this is the second time these two are competing in a main event when they weren’t originally scheduled to. The sudden nature of this fight, combined with the fact that both men contain destructive power, are excellent kickboxers, and have very similar bodies, makes this one really hard to predict.

With both men having experience against one another, this should be a fight that lasts longer than their last outing. Both men can be technical with their power, looking for openings on their opponents, even from range, and we’ll probably end up seeing a mix of technical striking and brawl-like trading in this bout. While I know many people are rooting for Procházka to gain revenge and the title – and I hope one day he does wear UFC gold again – we’ve seen what “Poatan” can do on short notice before, and that’s why I’m going to side with the champ on this one. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)

Tyriece Simon: In their 2023 fight, Pereira was able to finish Procházka in the second round. Both had their moments, but the result came down to “BJP” making defensive errors against “Poatan,” and I think it’ll happen again. Although the champion got caught with punches from Procházka, he used his head movement to evade most of them. I also think Pereira hurt his rival early with leg kicks and could implement the same game plan in their rematch.

Procházka had a good game plan in their first fight, as he grappled with Pereira early and took him down. This decision made “Poatan” cautious of getting dragged to the mat, which I think the challenger could do on Saturday. That said, it will take more than that strategy to beat the Brazilian knockout artist. I also believe Pereira may look to throw a knee because Procházka dips his head low when he tries to go for feints to get on the inside. The fight could go either way because both are incredible on the feet, but I think Pereira will retain his title again this Saturday. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)

Andrew Starc: I can’t see this fight turning out differently from their first encounter. Both fighters have KO power but, in my opinion, Pereira has the better striking. Procházka managed to take down the Brazilian in their last fight, so he could have some success if he can do this again. However, the challenger’s tendency to eat shots to the head is something you can’t do against “Poatan,” and I think he’ll also have trouble with the un-telegraphed leg kicks coming from the champ. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)

Consensus: 5-0 Alex Pereira

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That’ll do it for our UFC 303 staff picks! What do you think? Do your picks look similar? Let us know in the comments section! Also, you can check out the UFC 303 undercard below.

Preliminary Card:

• Middleweight: Joe Pyfer vs. Marc-André Barriault
• Featherweight: Cub Swanson vs. Andre Fili 
• Featherweight: Charles Jourdain vs. Jean Silva
• Bantamweight: Payton Talbott vs. Yanis Ghemmouri

Early Preliminary Card:

• Women’s Strawweight: Michelle Waterson-Gomez vs. Gillian Robertson
• Heavyweight: Andrei Arlovski vs. Martin Buday
• Flyweight: Rei Tsuruya vs. Carlos Hernandez
• Bantamweight: Ricky Simón vs. Vinicius Oliveira

Be sure to keep it right here on MMANews.com tomorrow for all the results, highlights, and updates on UFC 303!

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