Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka clash for the second time in eight months for the UFC light heavyweight title. While they both competed for the vacant gold last November, Alex Pereira defends the title against former champion Jiri Prochazka this time round. The Czech challenger was arguably on top last time before he was felled by Pereira in the second round, and many people feel the referee ended proceedings too early thereafter. Both fighters won their bouts at UFC 300 earlier this year. The Brazilian is the favorite in early odds in what is expected to be another explosive encounter.

MMA: UFC Light Heavyweight Championship

Where to Watch: PPV

Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas

Date: 30.06.2024. 05:00

“Poatan” has been a phenomenal hit in the UFC. In eight fights in the promotion, Alex Pereira has become a two-weight champion and the first person to claim both the middleweight and light heavyweight titles. Following a second-round stoppage of Jiri Prochazka to claim the 205-pound gold, Pereira stunned former light heavyweight king Jamahal Hill last April with a first-round KO in his first title defense. The former Glory kickboxing middleweight champion was on the back foot for most of the first two rounds in their match-up last year before unleashing a left shot that dropped the Czech. A flurry of elbows to the floored Prochazka spurred the referee to quickly wave off the fight, to the delight of the Brazilian. While a rematch was always on the cards, disruptions to the card of UFC 303 have brought the highly anticipated rematch earlier.

• Age: 31
• Height: 6’4”
• Weight: 205lbs (93kg)
• Reach: 79”
• Record: 10-2

Jiri Prochazka’s loss to Alex Pereira was his first since debuting in the UFC. The former UFC light heavyweight champion won the title after submitting Glover Teixeira in 2022. Unfortunately, Prochazka, a former Rizin light heavyweight champ, was forced to vacate the title due to injury. Against Aleksandar Rakic last April at UFC 300, Prochazka overcame adversity to TKO Rakic in the second round. On the front foot and having won the first-round against Pereira, Prochazka was dropped by a left shot and whilst struggling to evade maximum punishment on the mat the referee ended the fight. The former champ now has an opportunity to reclaim the title and prove to critics that his fight with Pereira ended abruptly.

• Age: 31
• Height: 6’4’’
• Reach: 80”
• Weight: 205lbs (93kg)
• Record: 30-4-1

Jiri Prochazka is a 2.17 underdog on Betway. Under 1.5 is priced at 2.30 on Bet365. Alex Pereira by KO/TKO is 1.833 on 1xBet, with the bout to be won in rounds 1-3 priced at 1.62. Read more.