Alex Pereira hangs on to light heavyweight belt at UFC 303

Field Level Media|published: Sun 30th June, 01:57 2024

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) reacts after defeating Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Pereira successfully defended his light heavyweight title on Saturday night, knocking out Jiri Prochazka in the main event bout at UFC 303 in Las Vegas.

Just 12 seconds into the second round, a fierce head kick from Pereira (10-2-0) sent Prochazka (30-4-1) to the mat, where Pereira followed with a barrage of punches before the fight was called.

Prochazka had trouble standing up afterward, and he was rocking back and forth before falling into the hands of the referee and medical personnel.

Saturday's bout was a rematch of a Nov. 11, 2023 fight for the vacant light heavyweight championship. Pereira won that clash, too, and has now defended his belt twice.

Prochazka has lost two of his past three fights.

In other action Saturday, Diego Lopes and Roman Dolidze both won by unanimous decision. Lopes (25-6-0) beat Dan Ige (18-8-0) in catch weight action, while Dolidze (13-3-0) got the best of Anthony Smith (38-20-0) in a battle of light heavyweights.

Macy Chiasson (11-3-0) and Ian Machado Gary (15-0-0) also won their respective fights.

--Field Level Media