Takeaways from UFC 303 — Alex Pereira is MMA’s biggest star, and no theatrics are required.

Takeaways from UFC 303 — Alex Pereira is MMA’s biggest star, and no theatrics are required.

UFC 303 was a huge success, with Alex Pereira and Diego Lopes securing their legacy moments.

By ESPN

Jun 30, 2024 05:44 AM

 

Jun 30, 2024, 01:44 AM ET

The UFC 303 card in Las Vegas featured 13 fights, including a title fight between Alex Pereira and Jiri Prchazka. Pereira’s dominant performance was the highlight of a stellar show. In the comain event, Dan Ige filled in at short notice. But Diego Lopes made it clear that he was ready to take the stage. What were the highlights of International Fight Week and who stood out? Brett Okamoto and Andreas Hale offer their final thoughts.

Wagenheim, Alex Pereira is on a roll. ‘s agreement to fight for the title, with only two weeks notice, and away from his gym was enough. His performance on Saturday has elevated the UFC’s light-heavyweight champion to a new level.

Pereira’s head-kick KO of former champion JiriProchazka 13 seconds into the second round of UFC 303, after dropping him with a right hook at the horn to end the first round, stunned the T-Mobile Arena crowd and left them eager for more. Perhaps he will defend his 205-pound title again, or he may be ready to move up to heavyweight.

Joe Rogan, the commentator, was already promoting the heavyweight move in Pereira’s postfight cage interview. This could propel “Poatan”, to an unprecedented feat. In only nine visits to the Octagon he’s already won the middleweight and the light heavyweight championships. Nobody has ever held UFC belts at three different weight classes.

“I believe that’s my future,” Pereira said, who had been a world champion in kickboxing in two divisions in a previous sporting life. “I said it last time I came here.  The organization didn’t seem very interested.  I believe that the fans are able to have their say on this — they can do whatever they like. They are paying for it. “If this is what the people want, then it will be inevitable.”

The UFC heavyweight division does not need to add more to the current gridlock that exists between champion Jon Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall, as well as ex-champion, Stipe Miocic. Pereira could be a great asset to the 205-pound weight division, as his star power is still shining brightly.

There’s no way to micromanage a phenomenon such as Pereira. If you are the UFC you should find the most interesting opportunities and let Pereira achieve what no one could have predicted just a few years ago.

This is not a second coming for Conor McGregor , who Pereira replaced Saturday. The Irishman, who is arguably the most famous fighter in the history of the sport, has a huge impact that extends beyond the cage. His popularity is now almost entirely based on melodrama. Pereira is a fighter. His mic time is simple and is spoken by an interpreter. It’s what happens in the cage that makes him stand out from the rest of the UFC. The chilling stare he gives during the introductions is followed by a terrifying knockout. The fans will gladly accept more of this rather than tired, tired theatrics.

Lopes and Ige earn star treatment after UFC 303

Hale Yes. Diego Lopes won the unanimous decision victory over Dan Ige and extended his win streak to four consecutive wins. The real story of this fight is how it came about and that Lopes and Ige were able to deliver despite not knowing they would be fighting until four hours prior.

Let’s begin with Ige.

He was a spectator on Saturday morning. On Saturday night, the fight was co-main and he had a good final round. He wanted to pull off a stunning upset.

Lopes could have withdrawn from this fight at any moment. He could have lowered the weight limit of his fight when Brian Ortega was bumped to 155 pounds Friday morning. Lopes did not have to face another opponent at the catchweight of 165 lbs., even if Ige was as strong as he is. But he managed to do it.

The fight was exciting for fans, regardless of whether the fighters won or lost.

Ige’s name is now inscribed in history and he has left a legacy to be remembered. Give him whatever he wants, as long as it does not interfere with Lopes plans.

Lopes’ arrow pointed at the ceiling. Do it if he wants a fight at UFC Noche in The Sphere. Give him a fight if he wants to, for example with Alexander Volkanovski – whom he had called out afterwards. If Volkanovski’s down.

This night saw the birth of stars, irrespective of who won. Lopes, Ige and other stars are sometimes treated well because of their position.

Moment of truth coming for Machado Garry

Okamoto UFC orchestrated Ian Machado Garry’s career beautifully. Truly. Machado has paid back the UFC for its support by evolving into a welterweight competitor. It has not always been a stroll in the park for him, but he has made appropriate steps in his competition. He has gained valuable experience from close split decisions against Geoff Neal and Michael Page.

There is no building at the moment. Machado Garry is now in the top echelon, where it will be difficult to exploit any holes. It’s great to see him win these tough situations, but there is also something to say about the situations themselves. Machado Garry’s comfort level in these different aspects of the fights hasn’t always been high. He has overcome this with his self-belief and excellent decision-making skills. However, future opponents will not be as easy to beat.

His history of changing gyms does not seem to hold him back. It’s difficult to argue that it is a bad thing for him to have trained Dutch-style Kickboxing under Henri Hooft and now has Muay Thai Chutte Boxe in his corner. It’s not generally a good thing for fighters to bounce between gyms. But it seems that Machado has found a way to make it work.

Leave a Comment