Jiri Prochazka wanted to ensure Alex Pereira wasn’t using magic like he thought he was using at UFC 295 to have an edge in their rematch. He believed if given a chance, he could beat Pereira to win back the UFC light heavyweight title, a belt Prochazka never truly lost.
Tonight, there was no magic in the air, just pain.
Pereira took out Prochazka twice, with a clean second-round finish to retain the UFC light heavyweight title.
“Poatan” and Prochazka wouldn't stop staring at one another for over four+ minutes when they entered the cage, almost a full round. When the opening bell rang, all bets were off. They traded shots, with Pereira chopping the knee of Prochazka. Prochazka tried to land crisp shots and even held Pereira by the cage. He did get caught with a left hook before the end of the first round.
That one shot and the break just delayed the inevitable.
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Pereira started the second round with a high kick that hurt Prochazka. It also may have affected his once broken toes, though Pereira persevered. More blows rained down on a downed Prochazka until the referee saw enough.
On a four-fight win streak and two wins in 2024 in just two months, Pereira has established himself as one of the best fighters in the world. Joe Rogan and UFC fans pleaded with him to become a three-division champion by going to heavyweight. If his toes allow him to fight, the sky is the limit for the Brazilian.
UFC 303 was a strange night, with new fights appearing on the fly.
The night already dealt with changes after Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler got nixed. The co-main event had an unprecedented change. Brian Ortega got sick before his fight against Diego Lopes, already a replacement fight. Dan Ige, set to compete in a few weeks, accepted a fight hours into UFC 303. Ige pleaded with UFC brass to compete in a catchweight contest, and his wish was granted.
It was a moral win in a loss for Ige, with Lopes earning the unanimous decision win. Lopes, who went from fighting at 146 to 165, controlled the first two rounds, but Ige gave fans hope in the third. Ige gained a lot of new fans. Lopes is now on a four-fight win streak.
It was a moment that, win or lose, made Ige worthy of the BMF moniker, though there may be plenty of questions that need answers from the Nevada State Athletic Commission and the UFC.
Roman Dolidze can now be ranked in two divisions. The middleweight beat Anthony Smith in a light heavyweight clash. Smith was supposed to face Carlos Ulberg, who pulled out of the fight the week before. Dolidze used kicks to push Smith back. Smith looked tired through the fight, and though Dolidze faltered in the third, he managed to get the win.
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Marya Bueno Silva vs. Macy Chiasson, a fight questioned as being on the main card, exceeded expectations for almost two rounds. The two bantamweights gave it their all, with Bueno Silva looking sharp early. A Chiasson elbow had Bueno Silva bleeding by the eye, which the fight doctor said was close to the bone. An entertaining fight ended before it could get going.
Chiasson is on a two-fight win streak, while former top contender Bueno Silva is on a two-fight losing streak.
Opening the card, Ian Machado Garry beat Michael “Venom” Page. The buildup to the fight saw the two look like they were ready for a bloody affair. While it didn’t turn out that way, Garry looked like a complete fighter, using takedowns to halt any of Page’s momentum. It helped that he had Demian Maia in his corner.
Page is now 1-1 in his last two fights, while Garry, believing he will be a champion in the UFC, remains undefeated.
The UFC provided full results and highlights for UFC 303. Check it out!
UFC 303 results, highlights
Alex Pereira once again knocks out Jiri Prochazka to defend light heavyweight gold
Round two: Pereira with a high kick that dropped Jiri, and pounded away at Prochazka until the referee saw enough. Wow!
Round one: Leg kick from Pereira to start. Leg kick got countered into a left hook by Prochazka. Pereira continued to chop the legs of Prochazka. Left hook by Pereira, followed by a jab. They both trade shots. High kick by Pereira. By the cage, Pereira landed knees. Prochazka was holding on, while Pereira chopped at the face of his opponent. Prochazka with knees. Pereira continued to chop Prochazka's leg. Pereira dropped Prochazka with a left hook before the end of the round.
SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Pereira
The main event is up next. Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka 2. We expected a brawl at UFC 295 in New York. Can they exceed expectations at UFC 303 in Las Vegas?
Dan Ige shows heart, loses in surprise fight against Diego Lopes
12:22 a.m. ET : Ige has nothing to lose as round three started. Lopes landed combinations. Ige landed some of his own. Big right by Ige, followed by a leg kick. Lopes with a leg kick that hurt Ige. Another big right by Ige, and he hit a straight jab. A tired Lopes went for the takedown. Ige got out of it and landed hard shots until Lopes held him down. Ige landed elbows on the floor. Lopes got the win, but Ige earned a lot of praise.
12:14 a.m. ET : Low kick by Lopes to open round two, followed by a right. They traded leg kicks, and Ige looked like his leg was hurting. Lopes continued with leg kicks. High kick by Ige, but he ended up on the floor with Lopes on his back. Lopes with back control through the round.
12:07 a.m. ET: An emotional Ige pressed forward. Lopes landed leg kicks. He rushed into Ige and landed a flurry of shots and a knee. Knee and a left hook counter from Ige, who hit combinations. Lopes did land several big blows, including a knee and an uppercut. He countered several shots with big punches, including a right. They traded shots on the inside. Ige dropped Lopes down. Lopes with the submission but the round ended.
Dan Ige looks to make history against Diego Lopes next.
Roman Dolidze beats Anthony Smith, now a star in two divisions
11:50 p.m. ET: Smith can win with a finish. They traded shots. Smith with a head kick, Dolidze with a kick to the stomach. It was a slow third for both, with Dolidze having the edge. Right hand by Smith, and another. High kick by Dolidze and a spinning kick. Dolidze won via unanimous decision.
11:38 p.m. ET: Dolidze continued with hard leg kicks in round two, and was able to land combinations. He was fighting forward, pushing Smith back. A left by Dolidze forced Smith down. Big shots on the floor and Dolidze kept Smith on the floor. Smith got kneed in the head, and it was legal. Finally on the feet, Dolidze landed a slick left hand.
11:31 p.m. ET : High kicks by Dolidze, a replacement opponent. Low kicks by Smith. They both traded kicks to try and chop the other down. Right hand by Smith barely missed. Leg kicks continued to be the main form of offense. Dolidze with a left hand and a high kick. Smith looked tired already.
Another fight made at the last moment, Anthony Smith vs. Roman Dolidze, is next.
Marya Bueno Silva's cut forces early end to fight, Macy Chiasson gets the win
11:11 p.m. ET: Chiasson landed kicks and then took Bueno Silva to the floor. Elbow from Chiasson busted Bueno Silva open above the eye. Bueno Silva tried for the armbar. The doctor came in to check on Bueno Silva's cut. The cut was too deep and the fight is over before it could get rolling. The doctor said the cut almost reached the bone.
11:02 p.m. ET: Chiasson got hit with a kick to the body to start the fight. Bueno Silva with elbows in the clinch and a spinning wheel kick, applying pressure to Chiasson. They traded shots, with Bueno Silva landing the better blows. Chiasson landed a few kicks to try and provide some damage. They continued to trade punches.
Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Macy Chiasson is next.
Ian Machado Garry neutralizes Michael 'Venom' Page to remain undefeated
10:44 p.m. ET: Round three saw Page land leg kicks. Garry tried clinching but Page ended up on top. Garry tried to keep it on the floor, but Page got up and tried for big shots. Garry was on Page's back and stayed there, landing shots from behind. Garry won via unanimous decision.
10:37 p.m. ET: Garry continued to smother Page on the floor until the end of the round. Right hand by Page to open round two. He will need to keep the fight on the feet to win. Combinations from the unorthodox Page connected. He landed a leg kick that chopped down Garry. Page missed and Garry held him up by the cage. Garry was on the floor holding Page's leg. Combinations from Page land. Flying knee attempt failed but Page landed a crisp shot to Garry's face.
10:28 p.m. ET: Demian Maia was in the corner of Garry. Page and Garry tried to trade kicks. The former used his unique offense to try and confuse Garry. Garry took advantage of a grabbed foot and held Page by the corner. He might have studied Page's struggles on the floor in Bellator. On Page's back, Garry tried for a submission but Page got out.
10:15 p.m. ET: Ian Machado Garry vs. Michael Venom Page opens UFC 303. A big matchup for both fighters, looking to prove who the best in the octagon is.
10 p.m. ET: The main card has started.
9:45 p.m. ET: Pyfer just dropped Barriault to the floor early in the first. My goodness. An overhand shot caught him, combinations followed, and a right ended it.
9:40 p.m. ET: Meanwhile, Joe Pyfer vs. Marc-Andre Barriault is next.
The UFC officially confirmed Dan Ige will face Diego Lopes in the co-main event. Brian Ortega is out. He came in at around 164 pounds, and the fight is at catchweight. What a sport.
9:30 p.m. ET: Swanson started with a lead right, and Fili reversed with a takedown and knees. Right hand by Swanson rocked Fili, who put the former against the cage. A back and forth affair for three rounds. Fili won via split decision. A potentially controversial result.
9:20 p.m. ET: Swanson hasn't fought in front of a full crowd since 2019. He started swinging away while Fili used a unique defense to try and avoid getting hurt. Swanson got up from an early takedown in round two. They both started swinging away, with Swanson's eye looking like it may be shut.
9:08 p.m. ET: Cub Swanson vs. Andre Fili is next. Meanwhile, Ariel Helwani is reporting Brian Ortega is out of his fight against Diego Lopes. Dan Ige, who last fought in February, would replace him.
8:47 p.m. ET: Silva knocked out Jourdain in brutal fashion following an uppercut. Unfortunate he may not get a bonus.
8:38 p.m. ET: Charles Jourdain vs. Jean Silva in a catchweight bout (Silva missed weight) is next. Both bald men looked to eliminate the other early with kicks. Right hand by Silva dropped Jourdain, and he continued to land crisp shots by the cage.
8:20 p.m. ET : Payton Talbott vs. Yanis Ghemmouri opens the Prelims. Talbott is the massive favorite in this fight. He proved why by ending the fight in less than 20 seconds thanks to combinations that dropped Ghemmouri. Wow!
8:10 p.m. ET: The prelims for UFC 303 has started.
8 p.m. ET: Ending the early prelims was a complete performance by Gillian Robertson, who dominated against Michelle Waterson-Gomez. The latter, a true veteran, did not have any answer for the rising Robertson. Waterson-Gomez retired following a long and successful career.
7:30 p.m. ET : The heavyweights were in action as Andrei Arlovski faced Martin Buday. It was a slow fight, with both fighters laboring. Buday beat the veteran in Arlovski via split decision. It will not be a contender for Fight of the Night.
7 p.m. ET: In one of the first contenders for Fight of the Night, Rei Tsuruya defeated Carlos Hernandez via unanimous decision. It was a grappling-heavy fight that had many twists and turns. It was a classic MMA fight that saw Tsuruya look like a star.
6:15 p.m. ET : The first fight of the early prelims was Ricky Simon vs. Vinicius Oliveira. It was a shutout for Oliveira, a force to be reckoned with at 135.
Hello everyone, and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of UFC 303.
UFC 303 results
Main Card
- Alex Pereira (c) def . Jiri Prochazka via TKO for the UFC light heavyweight title (0:13 into round two)
- Diego Lopes def. Dan Ige via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Roman Dolidze def . Anthony Smith via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Macy Chiasson def . Marya Bueno Silva via doctor stoppage TKO (1:58 into round two)
- Ian Machado Garry def . Michael "Venom" Page via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Prelims
- Joe Pyfer def . Marc-Andre Barriault via KO (1:25 into round one)
- Andre Fili def . Cub Swanson via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
- Jean Silva def . Charles Jourdain via KO (1:22 into round two)
- Payton Talbott def . Yanis Ghemmouri via KO (0:19 into round one)
Early Prelims
- Gillian Robertson def. Michelle Waterson-Gomez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
- Martin Buday def. Andrei Arlovski via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
- Rei Tsuruya def . Carlos Hernandez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Vinicius Oliveira def . Ricky Simon via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
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