Jiri Prochazka made headlines ahead of his UFC 303 fight against Alex Pereira by claiming that his opponent uses “rituals” to win bouts. In a pre-fight news conference, the Czech fighter reiterated his accusations that Pereira relies on “magic and shamans” to aid him in fights. Prochazka, who is looking to avenge his defeat by Pereira in November, challenged the light-heavyweight champion to fight without any spiritual assistance in their upcoming bout.
Prochazka, 31, believes that Pereira’s pre-fight rituals have an impact on his performances in the cage. He stated that everyone can sense the energy around Pereira before a fight and questioned whether Pereira could compete without these rituals. Prochazka’s challenge to Pereira is to face off in a clear and unbiased manner to determine the true best fighter in the world based solely on their athletic performance.
Pereira, the 36-year-old Brazilian champion, remained composed in response to Prochazka’s allegations. He acknowledged the existence of spirits and stated that he has found his own spiritual connection. Pereira suggested that if Prochazka does not share his beliefs or has not found his own spirits, it is not Pereira’s responsibility.
The fight between Prochazka and Pereira was announced as the main event for UFC 303 after Conor McGregor withdrew due to injury. This will mark Pereira’s second title defense following his victory over Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 in April, showcasing his ability to headline significant events in the UFC on short notice.