Alex Pereira saw the opening for a head kick KO after watching Jiri Prochazka warm up in the UFC 303 locker room

LAS VEGAS — Alex Pereira’s head kick that knocked out Jiri Prochazka was one of the best knockouts we’ve seen in 2024. Yet despite its incredible execution, it was a last-minute addition to the game plan.

The UFC light heavyweight champion told reporters at the UFC 303 post-fight press conference that the idea of ​​attacking Prochazka (30-5-1 MMA, 4-2 UFC ) with the headbutt was the beginning of the end of the fight. was added to the plan hours before the championship fight after seeing Prochazka warming up in his locker room.

Pereira (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) picked up a mistake from Prochazka and made sure to capitalize when they both entered the octagon.

“I was actually in the locker room talking to my coach, and he showed me the video of Jiri’s warm-up, and I saw that he was trying to counterattack with the calf kick, to defend and counter,” Pereira said. “But I told Plinio (Cruz) that he was timing it wrong. The timing was wrong. I saw that he was too focused on that kick, and he was keeping his hands down and was exposed, so I told him that I was going to explore the high kick.”

With this victory, Pereira completed his second title defense at 205 pounds. He is also undefeated since moving up from middleweight and looks to continue that momentum.

Although he turns 37 next month, “Poatan” said he believes his MMA journey is just beginning and sees a lot of growth coming from his side.

“I’m evolving,” Pereira said. “I’m new to MMA, and he’s older (in the game), so I think he’s evolved a lot, but today his evolution is minimal, and mine, man, that’s just the beginning. »

For more information on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s UFC 303 Event Hub.

The story originally appeared on MMA Junkie