UFC light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira, is stepping in on just two weeks’ notice to defend his title in a rematch against Jiri Prochazka after Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler was canceled.
UFC 303 was one of the most highly anticipated events of the year, not only because it is the International Fight Week card, but also because Conor McGregor was set to make his comeback.
The Irishman was scheduled to take on Michael Chandler in a welterweight bout, his first fight since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier three years ago, but UFC CEO Dana White announced this past Thursday that the Irishman had withdrawn due to injury.
Alex Pereira posts for the first time since huge announcement
During the announcement of McGregor’s withdrawal, White announced that UFC light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira, was stepping in on short notice to save the event, defending his title against Jiri Prochazka.
‘Poatan’ won the vacant 205lb title against Prochazka at UFC 295 this past November and defended it against Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 this past April.
‘The Czech Samurai’ also competed on the milestone 300 event, returning to the win column with a second-round finish over Aleksandar Rakic.
“I know it’s very close and I may encounter difficulties, but if anyone can make the impossible, possible, it’s me,” Pereira said in a post on his Instagram.
“That’s why I’m that big name, Alex Poatan Pereira. Because of my work ethic and the risks I’m willing to take. The ancestors are with me, a great spirit is within me. I’m ready for it all,” he added.
The Brazilian champion is currently in Australia on what seems to be a profile-building tour, making appearances at events and meeting with fans. Not only that, but the 36-year-old also broke multiple toes during his UFC 300 title defense.
Jiri Prochazka hoping to be ‘the perfect storm’ at UFC 303
The eccentric former champion recently underwent another intense three-day meditation ritual, in which he locked himself in a dark room for three days with no food nor light, to just simply, focus.
The ritual has become somewhat of a staple to the 31-year-old’s fight preparation along with training out in the forest, and he is hoping that it will result in him being the ‘perfect storm’ on June 29th.
“The perfect storm. No space for mistakes. Just win, now, here.” Prochazka posted on his Instagram.
Pereira’s recent rival, Hill, was also supposed to compete at UFC 303, but during the main event switch-around announcement on Thursday, Dana White also announced that Hill was out of his co-main event against Carlos Ulberg.
Hill has recently attempted to resurface his feud with ‘Poatan’, going at the Brazilian for his ‘weak’ UFC 300 celebration after Pereira knocked him out in the first round. Pereira issued a cold response to Hill, claiming that he’d only just woken up from the knockout.