UFC 303: Alex Pereira stakes his claim as the UFC’s biggest star with stunning second round knockout of Jiri Prochazka

Alex Pereira’s phenomenal run in the UFC has continued. The star’s thunderous second-round knockout of Jiri Prochazka was the highlight of UFC 303.

Alex Pereira has further staked his claim to being the biggest UFC star on the planet with a thunderous second-round knockout of Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303.

In a rematch of their UFC 295 showdown in November, Pereira dropped Prochazka in the first round, before ending it early in the second to defend his light-heavyweight title.

It continues Pereira’s phenomenal run in the UFC, with ‘Poatan’ winning the middleweight title just a year after making his debut in the promotion. He claimed the light-heavyweight belt a year after that, and headlined UFC 300 and UFC 303 and has spoken about moving to heavyweight to become the first ever three-weight champion.

ALEX PEREIRA KNOCKS JIRI OUT WITH A HEADKICK SECONDS INTO ROUND 2 #UFC303pic.twitter.com/Jf15Li2Tx1

— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) June 30, 2024

Prochazka started aggressively, while Pereira immediately went back to the calf kicks that were so devastating in their first fight.

A body kick and a few big striking exchanges saw Prochazka look more tentative as the first round wore on.

In the very last second of the opening round, Pereira caught Prochazka coming in with a brilliantly timed left hook - the same shot that dropped Jamahal Hill at UFC 300.

Prochazka was dropped just as the siren sounded to end the round, and he would have certainly been knocked out then and there if there was more time left in the frame.

It didn’t bother Pereira though, who landed a savage leg kick to Prochazka’s temple just seconds into the second round.

The champion followed up with unnecessary ground and pound before referee Herb Dean finally stopped the action.

Clearly still wobbly from the knockdown at the end of the first, Prochazka struggled back to his feet and needed assistance from cageside medicos.

Lopes calls out Volkanovski

Diego Lopes called for a fight with either Alex Volkanovski or Brian Ortega at the Sphere at UFC 306 in September after winning a unanimous decision against late-notice opponent Dan Ige.

Ige was reportedly getting a massage when he first found out Ortega was out of his co-main event fight.

It took about an hour for him to be confirmed as Lopes’ new opponent after sending a desperate message to UFC match-maker Hunter Campbell.

It was a risk, but it came undone as rising star Lopes scored a unanimous decision win.

Diego Lopes got the win. Picture: Getty Images

Ige came on strong in the third round though, rattling a tiring Lopes on the feet.

Lopes was forced to shoot a takedown to escape the striking exchanges, but Ige stuffed it and reversed the position.

The Hawaiian dominated the closing minute against an exhausted Lopes, but it wasn’t enough to score the late-notice victory.

Lopes deserves a huge amount of credit for the win. He cut down to 145-pounds for what should have been a featherweight bout. Little did he know that Ortega was struggling with the weight, and at weigh-ins had the bout changed to a lightweight fight.

Lopes used his post-fight interview to call out former featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski.

“I spoke to the UFC, put me on at the Sphere,” Lopes said. “It’s gonna be Ortega or it’s gonna be Volkanovski - let’s get ready for it.”

Bloody cut sees doctor stop fight

Macy Chiasson scored a second round TKO win over Mayra Bueno Silva after cageside officials were forced to step in and stop the action due to a cut.

But a warning: It’s not for the faint-hearted.

From mount, Chiasson smashed an elbow in Bueno Silva’s head, with blood immediately pouring out of the cut just above her right eye.

As a mask of blood ran down her face, the ref called a timeout so the Octagon-side doctor could check the cut.

He didn’t waste much time before calling the bout off, handing Chiasson a stoppage win.

Mayra Bueno Silva looks on after being ruled out do to injury. Picture: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Mayra Bueno Silva was ruled out due to her graphic cut. Picture: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Dan Ige replaces Brian Ortega in outrageous last minute switch

After missing weight yesterday, Brian Ortega has now sensationally been ruled out of his co-main event bout against Diego Lopes.

In scenes never seen before in UFC history, Ortega will be replaced by Dan Ige.

Ige will now fight Lopes at a catchweight of 165-pounds.

Ige wasn’t originally scheduled to be on the card, but lives in Vegas and received the extremely late notice call-up on fight day. Ige’s team was told about the possibility of filling in at 4:30pm in Las Vegas - roughly five hours before the fight.

Ige immediately contacted UFC match-maker Hunter Campbell, pleading for the chance to step in and fight.

“Hey Hunter, I’ve been in camp for 3 months,” he wrote to the UFC exec. “I’m the healthiest I’ve ever been, I can fight this guy tonight and beat him.

“This is what legends are made of. I’m in, I’m ready. I’m in great shape.

“Please don’t take this opportunity away from me.”

News of the outrageous developments first leaked on social media after the early prelims had already started.

Ige, his coach Eric Nicksick and manager Ali Abdelaziz all tweeted updates before the UFC had a chance to officially release a statement.

So you wanna be a BMF? #UFC303

— Dan Ige (@Dynamitedan808) June 29, 2024

Remember, we’re the guys you call when you run out of ideas. #UFC303#HOTDROPpic.twitter.com/HMM8Y9NBwm

— Eric Nicksick (@Eric_XCMMA) June 30, 2024

Crazy people see you soon @Dynamitedan808@Eric_XCMMApic.twitter.com/Cj07iiJoCV

— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) June 30, 2024

It caps off a horrendous week for Ortega.

The American had serious issues during his weight cut, but waited until weigh in day to notify the UFC. His bout with Lopes was then changed to a lightweight fight, seeing Ortega cop a torrent of criticism.

Lopes had already cut to the 145-pound weight limit when he was told about Ortega’s struggles.

It’s officially the latest notice replacement fight in UFC history, with Ige and Lopes both weighing in at 165-pounds at T-Mobile Arena.

Here’s everything you need to know about UFC 303

What time is UFC 303?

The early prelims kicked off at 8:30am, with the prelims getting started at 10am.

The pay per view card begins at 12pm.

How to watch UFC 303

You can watch the prelims on Kayo Sports and ESPN.

The PPV portion of the card is available to purchase now on Main Event and Kayo. 

What time is the UFC 303 main event?

Expect Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka to fight at around 2:30pm.

Payton Talbott scores 19 second knockout

Remember the name: Payton Talbott

In just his second UFC fight, the 25 just scored the second fastest finish in bantamweight history.

One of the hottest young prospects in the UFC, Talbott is already a favourite of Dana White, and entered his fight against Yanis Ghemmouri as a massive betting favourite.

The American wasted no time proving why.

Talbott landed a perfectly-timed straight right hand to Ghemmouri’s chin 13 second into their three-round fight.

It could have been stopped there, but Talbott was made to follow up with some ground and pound before the bout was called off after 19 seconds.

PAYTON TALBOTT LIVES UP TO THE HYPE IN 20 SECONDS #UFC303pic.twitter.com/qikfet5p23

— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) June 30, 2024

Talbott proved he’s the full package on the microphone too, calling out Adrian Yanez for his next fight in the UFC.

Michelle Waterson-Gomez retires

There have been emotional scenes in the cage with strawweight veteran Michelle Waterson-Gomez officially confirming her UFC retirement.

Waterson-Gomez, who has fought some of the best in the 115-pound division, broke down in tears before a video of her highlights and memories was played over the big screen.

“I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for the UFC and all you fans continuing to push me,” she said as she choked back tears. “Fighting is in my veins, it’s who I am.

“I asked my husband, ‘What am I if I’m not fighting?’ And he told me, ‘Just because you’re not in the Octagon, doesn’t mean you’re not fighting’.

“That helped me move on.

“As long as my daughter’s been born, she’s been in my corner. I’m just excited to now be in their corner, cheer them on and be on the other side.”

Michelle Waterson announces her retirement #UFC303 ➡️ https://t.co/MTqlpY8TyTpic.twitter.com/odee7nRFBh

— BetUS Sportsbook & Casino (@BetUS_Official) June 30, 2024

Waterson-Gomez bows out after a unanimous decision defeat to Gillian Robertson on UFC 303 prelims, ending a five-fight losing streak.

She debuted in the UFC in 2015 with back-to-back wins over Angela Magana and Paige VanZant, and owns wins over Cortney Casey, Felicia Herrig and Angela Hill.

UFC 303 full card

Pay per view card

Alex Pereira (c) vs. Jiri Prochazka 2 - light heavyweight title

Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes - Featherweight

Anthony Smith vs. Roman Dolidze - Light Heavyweight

Marya Bueno Silva vs. Macy Chiasson - Bantamweight

Ian Machado Garry def Michael “Venom” Page via UD

Prelims

Joe Pyfer def Marc-Andre Barriault via Rd1 KO

Andre Fili def Cub Swanson via SD

Jean Silva def Charles Jourdain via Rd2 KO

Payton Talbott def Yanis Ghemmouri via Rd 1 KO

Early Prelims

Gillian Robertson def. Michelle Waterson-Gomez via UD

Martin Buday def Andrei Arlovski via UD

Rei Tsuruya def. Carlos Hernandez via UD

Vinicius Oliveira def. Ricky Simon via UD

Originally published as UFC 303: Alex Pereira stakes his claim as the UFC’s biggest star with stunning second round knockout of Jiri Prochazka