Alex Pereira is the new face of the UFC | UFC 303

Alex Pereira produced another highlight reel knockout of Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303. This time, on short notice, he took the title of “Face of the UFC” from Conor McGregor, who this card was originally for.

Chapters:
0:38 From Notorious to Poatan
6:20 Improved defense from Alex Pereira
10:51 Diego Lopes and Dan I’ve are both him
15:22 Ian Garry fought well

Behind the Mask by Tyson Fury: https://amzn.to/3RQChmy
Atlas by Teddy Atlas: https://amzn.to/4bwbumC

The face of the UFC was to return at UFC 303 with Conor McGregor. Instead, Alex Pereira stepped in for McGregor on short notice and rematched Jiri Prochazka. The fight proved that Alex Pereira is the UFC’s go-to guy after saving both UFC 300 and a Conor McGregor card at the last minute. His two highlight reel knockouts of Jamahal Hill and now Jiri Prochazka were done at the biggest possible moments of his career. His life went from shambles and from alcoholism to the life of a four belt champion across two weight classes in kickboxing and MMA.

What’s even more impressive was the improved defense from Alex Pereira. At 36 years old, 37 next week, Alex Pereira looks like he is getting better, which is insanity. He went from taking 22 significant strikes and allowing 2:45 of control time in the first fight to only 7 significant strikes in the second. He knocked Jiri Prochazka down in round one and out in the first exchange of round two. No better defense than putting a man unconscious.

Diego Lopes took on Dan Ige on short notice after Brian Ortega was the ultimate unprofessional. He missed weight and pulled out the day of the fight. Luckily, Diego Lopes is a real dude and didn’t mind a change in opponent at literally a couple hours notice. Needless to say, UFC 303 was a wild ride and Diego Lopes, Dan Ige, Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka saved the day.

Ian Garry was supposed to be the opening of this Conor McGregor card that never happened. While McGregor was out, Ian Garry did fight at UFC 303 and took on a tough Michael “Venom” Page. It was apparent from early on that Michael “Venom” Page was a faster opponent despite being a decade older than Ian Garry. What did the Irishman do? He grabbed a hold of Michael “Venom” Page and slowed him down on the ground. It wasn’t pretty, but Ian Garry did exactly what he was supposed to do.