UFC 303 Main Event Breakdown

It’s uncommon that the UFC has its annual Worldwide Combat 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-Cell Area 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 Combat Move.

Late prelims observe at 8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT on ESPN and ESPN+ earlier than ending with the primary 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 contains a full 13-fight slate.

Gentle Heavyweight Title at Stake in UFC 303 Important Occasion

Highlighting the night time is a championship battle within the UFC 303 primary occasion. Initially, the cardboard was to have been headlined by Conor McGregor‘s return to the cage in opposition to Michael Chandler. Two weeks in the past, McGregor withdrew from the cardboard as a consequence of what was later revealed to be a toe damage.

With McGregor out, the promotion booked a UFC Gentle Heavyweight Championship struggle within the new UFC 303 primary 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 struggle from UFC 295 in November of final yr.

This title struggle 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 Important Occasion Fighter Comparability and Betting Odds

Heading into the UFC 303 primary 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.

Presently, the oddsmakers have Alex Pereira put in as a -142 betting favourite on the cash line, whereas Jiri Prochazka counters as a +120 underdog. For those who plan on betting on this or another struggle occurring 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-Combat Profitable Streak into UFC 303 Important Occasion

Alex Pereira enters the UFC 303 primary occasion having posted a report 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 a fantastic athlete,” Prochazka mentioned, by way of his translator. “I respect his fashion. He’s a man who’s composed and severe. He throws punches from in every single place. He’s a distinct man, so it’s onerous to discover a man like that.”

The time for speak and pleasantries is nearly over. Will he efficiently defend the title on Saturday night time? Tune into the UFC 303 primary occasion and discover out.

Prochazka Sticking to Sport Plan forward of UFC 303 Important Occasion

Within the different nook, challenger Jiri Prochazka has posted a 4-1 report in his final 5 fights. Like Pereira, he additionally fought on UFC 300 this previous April, successful by second-round knockout as a consequence of floor and pound pictures vs. Aleksandar Rakic (14-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC).

Regardless of shedding within the unique bout, Prochazka is intent on preserving the established order this weekend.

“I’ve to say, regardless of the outcome, I cannot change,” the challenger started. “I cannot change something. I wish to do the identical this Saturday. I wish to do the identical, however significantly 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 Examine, and Prediction

Stylistically, the UFC 303 primary 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 Sport May Spell the Finish of UFC 303 Important Occasion

Provided that Alex Pereira is a striker by commerce, it stands to purpose that his fists may inform the story within the UFC 303 primary occasion, as they did in opposition to Jamahal Hill lower than three months in the past. Throughout the first spherical of a scheduled 5, after the struggle was halted momentarily for a low blow, “Poatan” uncorked a vicious punch to ship Hill to the mat.

From there, Pereira shortly pounced on Hill to attain a flurry of floor and pound pictures 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 primary occasion is to land one punch.

If he can knock Jiri Prochazka down with one-punch energy, momentum shall be firmly on his facet in Las Vegas.

Prochazka Can Work Rapidly

Within the different nook, Jiri Prochazka has been recognized to get the job accomplished in an expedient style. One want look no additional than his UFC debut vs. Volkan Oezdemir on Combat 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 top to place Oezdemir away. Search for Jiri Prochazka to combine up his strikes within the UFC 303 primary occasion A wide range of pictures might be the difference-maker.