It’s uncommon that the UFC has its annual Worldwide Battle Week earlier than July 1, however with the promotion holding a bye week subsequent weekend because of the lengthy Fourth of July vacation weekend inside america, Dana White‘s group ends the primary half of the yr with UFC 303.
T-Cellular Enviornment in Las Vegas is the host venue for the highest MMA promotion’s first pay-per-view occasion. Stateside, UFC 303 is streamed by way of ESPN+ pay-per-view. Stay protection begins at 6 pm ET/ 3 pm PT on Saturday night with the early prelims on ESPN correct, ESPN+ and UFC Battle Move.
Late prelims observe at 8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT on ESPN and ESPN+ earlier than ending with the principle card at 10 pm ET/ 7 pm PT on ESPN+ pay-per-view. All informed, barring any late postponements to the bout order, the ultimate model of UFC 303 encompasses a full 13-fight slate.
Mild Heavyweight Title at Stake in UFC 303 Foremost Occasion
Highlighting the night time is a championship battle within the UFC 303 important occasion. Initially, the cardboard was to have been headlined by Conor McGregor‘s return to the cage towards Michael Chandler. Two weeks in the past, McGregor withdrew from the cardboard resulting from what was later revealed to be a toe harm.
With McGregor out, the promotion booked a UFC Mild Heavyweight Championship battle within the new UFC 303 important occasion. Incumbent champion Alex Pereira (10-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) takes on challenger and No. 1 contender Jiri Prochazka (30-4-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) in a rematch of their battle from UFC 295 in November of final yr.
This title battle is an marketed most of 5 rounds at 5 minutes per spherical to shut out the present.
These resumes are VERY spectacular 😮💨#UFC303 | B2YB: @CryptoCom pic.twitter.com/HK5dHbjlQD
— UFC (@ufc) June 26, 2024
UFC 303 Foremost Occasion Fighter Comparability and Betting Odds
Heading into the UFC 303 important occasion on Saturday night time, champion Alex Pereira stands because the taller contender at 6-foot-4, in comparison with the 6-foot-3 body of Jiri Prochazka. The challenger owns each a one-inch attain benefit (80 inches to 79 inches) and leg attain (45 inches to 44 inches) over the champion.
At the moment, the oddsmakers have Alex Pereira put in as a -142 betting favourite on the cash line, whereas Jiri Prochazka counters as a +120 underdog. In the event you plan on betting on this or another battle taking place this weekend in MMA or fight sports activities, please wager responsibly.
The Collection So Far
Forward of Saturday’s contest, the all-time sequence between Pereira and Prochazka stands at 1-0 in favor of the champ. Final fall, Pereira scored a second-round knockout over Prochazka. How will the rematch play out?
Pereira Rides Three-Battle Profitable Streak into UFC 303 Foremost Occasion
Alex Pereira enters the UFC 303 important occasion having posted a file of 4-1 in his final 5 fights. At current, he’s on a three-fight successful streak.
After the unique bout vs. Prochazka, he scored a first-round knockout (left hook adopted by floor and pound strikes) over Jamahal Hill (12-2, 1 NC MMA, 6-2, 1 NC UFC) in UFC 300 this previous April. Wednesday afternoon, the champion met with the media in Vegas to speak about his adversary.
“He’s an excellent athlete,” Prochazka stated, by way of his translator. “I respect his type. He’s a man who’s composed and critical. He throws punches from all over the place. He’s a unique man, so it’s exhausting to discover a man like that.”
The time for discuss and pleasantries is nearly over. Will he efficiently defend the title on Saturday night time? Tune into the UFC 303 important occasion and discover out.
Prochazka Sticking to Recreation Plan forward of UFC 303 Foremost Occasion
Within the different nook, challenger Jiri Prochazka has posted a 4-1 file in his final 5 fights. Like Pereira, he additionally fought on UFC 300 this previous April, successful by second-round knockout resulting from floor and pound photographs vs. Aleksandar Rakic (14-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC).
Regardless of dropping within the authentic bout, Prochazka is intent on retaining the established order this weekend.
“I’ve to say, irrespective of the outcome, I can’t change,” the challenger started. “I can’t change something. I need to do the identical this Saturday. I need to do the identical, however a lot better. Be extra exact with the main points. Watch the calf kicks, just a bit bit. And win. Simply win!”
A assured assertion from Prochazka for sure, however can he again it up?
Evaluation, Movie Research, and Prediction
Stylistically, the UFC 303 important occasion seems to be to favor Alex Pereira, a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and kickboxing, in comparison with Jiri Prochazka’s standing as a Muay-Thai fighter.
“Poatan’s” Floor Recreation Might Spell the Finish of UFC 303 Foremost Occasion
On condition that Alex Pereira is a striker by commerce, it stands to purpose that his fists might inform the story within the UFC 303 important occasion, as they did towards Jamahal Hill lower than three months in the past. Throughout the first spherical of a scheduled 5, after the battle was halted momentarily for a low blow, “Poatan” uncorked a vicious punch to ship Hill to the mat.
From there, Pereira rapidly pounced on Hill to attain a flurry of floor and pound photographs to ship Hill to the land of wind and ghosts. All it’ll take for Alex Pereira to defend his mild heavyweight title within the UFC 303 important occasion is to land one punch.
If he can knock Jiri Prochazka down with one-punch energy, momentum will likely be firmly on his aspect in Las Vegas.
Prochazka Can Work Rapidly
Within the different nook, Jiri Prochazka has been recognized to get the job finished in an expedient vogue. One want look no additional than his UFC debut vs. Volkan Oezdemir on Battle Island. Throughout the second spherical of the UFC 251 featured prelim, Prochazka scored with a kick to the leg earlier than stalking Oezdemir and touchdown a excessive kick.
Smelling blood within the water, he tried a flying knee that couldn’t join, however did money in with a crisp punch to the pinnacle to place Oezdemir away. Search for Jiri Prochazka to combine up his strikes within the UFC 303 important occasion Quite a lot of photographs could possibly be the difference-maker.
Last Ideas
Count on excessive vitality and excessive drama within the UFC 303 important occasion. Don’t miss it.
Prediction: Alex Pereira by First-Spherical Knockout.