UFC 303, a card that was initially set to feature superstars Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler at welterweight, faced some challenges with fight withdrawals in the main and co-main event. However, the card was not only salvaged but also enhanced when fan favorites like Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka stepped in.
Like the main event, the co-main slot also experienced unforeseen withdrawals as featherweight contender Brian Ortega was forced to withdraw due to medical issues.
UFC 303 Main Event: Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka 2
The main event featured two explosive light heavyweights crossing paths for the second time for the UFC light heavyweight title. Light heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira (11-2-0) was able to deliver the short notice goods as he scored a highlight reel second-round knockout over number one contender Jiri Prochazka (30-5-1).
This rematch of true warriors in the sport of mixed martial arts played out precisely as I predicted. Pereira came into this fight knowing his advantage in the striking department, as he had previously finished Prochazka in the second round at UFC 295 in November 2023.
The fight opened with Pereira’s signature chopping leg kicks, a dominant strategy that had debilitated opponents in their initial meeting. Prochazka, in turn, advanced cautiously, seeking to measure the striking distance while evading Pereira’s powerful punches.
In a departure from their first fight, Prochazka refrained from attempting a takedown against the champion. Instead, he opted to engage in striking with Pereira, an elite kickboxer. The outcome of this decision was not surprising, as Pereira’s tight left hook at the end of the first round sent Prochazka crashing to the canvas, shocking many.
Saved by the bell and still not fully conscious, Prochazka headed back to his stool to try to collect his composure. However, this proved useless as Pereira fired a flicking left high kick to the temple of Prochazka, sending the former champion to the canvas.
Pereira, aware of the finishing opportunity, jumped on top of the clearly hurt Prochazka and delivered emphatic punches until referee Herb Dean stepped in to call the contest.
Pereira’s long time rival and foe Israel Adesanya uploaded a video on his YouTube giving his live reactions to UFC 303’s fights. Click here to see the video.
Dan Ige vs. Diego Lopes
UFC 303’s co-main event was initially scheduled between featherweights Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes (25-6-0), however fellow featherweight Dan Ige (18-8-0) agreed to step in on three hours notice after Ortega was forced to withdraw due to medical issues.
The fight between Ige and Lopes was then shifted to a agreed catchweight of 165-pounds. This catchweight three-round about delivered a fan-friendly spectacle as Dan Ige and Diego Lopes went to battle.
Lopes opened the contest with a dominant and convincing display of striking and grappling, where he threatened a tight Darce choke to end the first round.
Lopes followed up in the second round with impressive jiujitsu by securing Ige’s back, where he would end up controlling him for around three minutes, constantly hunting Ige’s neck.
With two rounds seemingly in the book for Lopes, the third round became a turning point as Ige, the shorter man, launched a fierce offensive, aiming for a knockout blow.
Ige eventually gained the upper hand, mounting Lopes and unleashing a barrage of punishing ground and pound strikes in a bid to secure a finish.
After three hard-fought rounds, the judge’s scorecards read a unanimous 29-28 decision in favor of Diego Lopes.
Ian Machado Garry vs Michael ‘Venom’ Page
The opening bout of UFC 303’s main card featured ranked welterweights No. 7 Ian Machado Garry (16-0-0) and No. 14 Michael ‘Venom’ Page (22-3-0). The undefeated Machado Garry came into this fight well prepared as he employed a grapple-heavy approach towards Page.
Many fight pundits didn’t know what to expect from this stylistic clash between lanky welterweights Ian Machado Garry and Michael ‘Venom’ Page. Machado Garry’s methodical and patient approach, mixed with Page’s crashing karate style, had me wondering.
However, most of this fight did not take place on the feet. Ireland’s 26-year-old Machado Garry came into this fight well-prepared from a game plan perspective, utilizing his takedowns and jiujitsu against the 37-year-old Page.
The fight opened with the two looking to gauge the striking distance until Machado Garry decided to shoot for a takedown. After successfully taking Page’s back, the undefeated Irishman threatened the rear-naked choke for the rest of the round.
The second round, easily the most entertaining of the entire fight, showcased Page’s elite striking. Page was handily getting the better of Garry in these short exchanges between the two welterweights.
As the third round commenced with the score tied, Page took the lead by maintaining his distance and controlling the exchanges. At one point, He found himself on top of Garry in his guard, adding another twist to the fight.
Instead of being content with landing ground and pound and winning the grappling, Page decided to stand up and return to the feet. This decision ultimately cost Page the fight, as Garry bolted Page towards the cage and slickly secured the back for the rest of the final round.
After three rounds that left us wanting more, the judges’ scorecards revealed a unanimous decision in favor of the undefeated Ian Machado Garry, with a score of 29-28. The tension was palpable as the final outcome was announced.
Other Fights on UFC 303:
Main card:
- (205 lbs.) Anthony Smith (38-19-0) vs. Roman Dolidze (12-3-0): Dolidze via Decision
- (W 135 lbs.) Mayra Beuno Silva (10-3-1, 1NC) vs. Macy Chiasson (10-3-0): Chiasson via KO/TKO R2 (Doctor’s Stoppage)
Prelims:
- (185 lbs.) Joe Pyfer (12-3-0) vs. Marc-André Barriault (16-7-0, 1NC): Pyfer via KO/TKO R1
- (145 lbs.) Cub Swanson (29-13-0) vs. Andre Fili (23-11-0, 1NC): Fili via Decision
- (145 lbs.) Charles Jourdain (15-7-1) vs. Jean Silva (12-2-0): Silva via KO/TKO R2
- (135 lbs.) Payton Talbott (8-0-0) vs. Yanis Ghemmouri (12-2-0): Talbott via KO/TKO R1
Early Prelims:
- (W 115 lbs.) Michelle Waterson-Gomez (18-12-0) vs. Gillian Robertson (13-8-0): Robertson via Decision
- (265 lbs.) Andrei Arlovski (34-23-0, 2NC) vs. Martin Buday (13-2-0): Buday via Decision
- (125 lbs.) Rei Tsururya (9-0-0) vs. Carlos Hernandez (9-3-0): Tsururya via Decision
- (135 lbs.) Ricky Simón (20-5-0) vs. Viniscius Oliveira (20-3-0): Oliveira via Decision
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