Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira fight Saturday in UFC 303 at the T-Mobile Arena. Prochazka enters this fight with a 30-4-1 record and has won 26 of his fights by knockout. Pereira enters this fight with a 10-2 record and has won 8 of his fights by knockout. Here’s a Jiri Prochazka vs Alex Pereira Prediction.
Alex Pereira Betting Preview
Pereira has won 3 straight fights and is coming off an April win over Jamahal Hill. Pereira is averaging 5.10 significant strikes per minute, with an accuracy percentage of 62 percent. Pereira is averaging 0.18 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 100 percent. Pereira is coming off a knockout win at UFC 300 and is jumping right back into the octagon. In the victory, Pereira landed 24 total strikes and 80 percent of his significant strikes. Pereira has seen 5 of his last 6 fights end in knockouts. Pereira, who turns 37 years old in a week, is fighting for the third time since November. He comes from a deep kickboxing and boxing background, and has shown a flawless transition to MMA. A creative striker who is a black belt in kickboxing, Pereira is dangerous on his feet and has a good takedown defense as well. It’s rather impressive to see Pereira adapt to new rules under such a short time, and he’s more than established as one of the top fighters under the UFC banner. This will be Pereira’s fourth career fight in Nevada.
Jiri Prochazka Betting Preview
Prochazka has won 10 of his last 11 fights and is coming off an April win over Aleksandar Rakic. Prochazka is averaging 5.75 significant strikes per minute, with an accuracy percentage of 56 percent. Prochazka is averaging 0.79 takedowns with an accuracy percentage of 60 percent. Prochazka is coming off a knockout win at UFC 300 that earned performance of the night honors. Prochazka landed 69 total strikes in the victory and produced 1 takedown. Prochazka has produced finishes in each of his last 12 victories. At 31 years old, Prochazka will also fight for the third time since November. Prochazka is a lengthy fighter at 6’4” and 80-inch reach, and he has ridiculous power in his hands and an aggressive style where he stands in the pocket and trades. Prochazka can be creative with his strikes as well, as he’ll mix in a flying knee and has produced a finish with a spinning back elbow. Prochazka has decent takedown defense at 68 percent. Prochazka has been finished in all 4 of his losses, including being knocked out 3 times. This will be Prochazka’s third career fight in Nevada.
Jiri Prochazka vs Alex Pereira Prediction
A rematch of UFC 295 where Pereira landed 49 total strikes and produced a second round knockout. Prochazka and the plus money is always appealing, but I’m going with the same prediction I had in the first bout. Pereira is the better pure striker, and that’s key in a fight that’s likely going to be on the feet. Neither of these guys have been aggressive to take a fight to the canvas.
Pereira has been the more accurate striker under the UFC banner. His leg kicks should give him an edge standing up, and he has the slightly better takedown defense as well. I like Pereira to beat Prochazka for the second time, and the reasonable price is hard to turn down.