Alex Pereira explains his decision to take part in the UFC 303 fight at short notice: “The mood is on my side”

Alex Pereira saved UFC 300 by defending his light heavyweight title against Jamahal Hill on short notice, and now he's stepping up on even shorter notice to save UFC 303.

Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler are no longer headlining the International Fight Week show on June 29 in Las Vegas, so “Poatan” has agreed to rematch Jiri Prochazka in a title defense in the 205-pound limit at the T-Mobile Arena on two weeks’ notice.

The Brazilian explained on social media why he decided to put his belt on the line and step into the cage for the fourth time in eleven months.

“I understand this fight is very close and there might be difficulties beforehand, BUT if there is anyone who can make this happen, it's me! POATAN!” wrote Pereira. “That's why I'm one of the biggest names in the UFC, Alex Pereira!!! I take risks that no one else would take, but I know my ancestors are with me. The spirits are with me and I'm ready for anything.”

Pereira (10-2) enters the UFC cage for the ninth time. In a short but already successful run, he has won belts in two divisions, scoring dramatic victories over Prochazka and Israel Adesanya. The former two-division GLORY kickboxing champion knocked out Prochazka in their first meeting in November 2023 to capture the vacant gold.

Prochazka (30-4-1) rebounded from defeat with a second-round knockout of Aleksandar Rakic ​​​​at UFC 300 and now has an opportunity to avenge his only loss inside the Octagon. A former UFC and RIZIN champion, Prochazka has been victorious in 14 of his last 15 fights, defeating the likes of Glover Teixeira, Dominick Reyes and Vadim Nemkov.