UFC 303 paths to victory: How can Jiri Prochazka get revenge on Alex Pereira?

Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka are set to run issues again.

This Saturday, Pereira and Prochazka rematch their UFC 295 mild heavyweight title battle in the principle occasion of UFC 303. The primary time these two met, Pereira knocked Prochazka out within the second spherical to develop into the UFC’s ninth two-division champion. This time, the 2 meet on short-notice as they step in to save lots of the day following Conor McGregor’s withdrawal from the occasion because of damage.

How will every man method this battle, and the way do they take dwelling the win? Let’s have a look.

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Paths to Victory for Alex Pereira at UFC 303

When these two first fought, I picked Pereira to win with relative ease as a result of Prochazka’s offense, whereas potent, will not be backed up by elite protection, which means Pereira would have ample alternative to counter. That’s lower than supreme for Prochakza on condition that Pereira is likely one of the hardest punchers within the sport. And I used to be half proper. Sure, Prochakza did stroll headlong on to Pereira’s offense repeatedly, however what really did him in was the low kicks.

Pereira is probably the perfect calf-kicker in MMA. He’s so adept at kicking the legs with none setup, making it extraordinarily exhausting to learn. And that’s particularly dangerous for Prochakza who operates from an extended stance with a variety of weight on the entrance foot. Aleksandar Rakic chopped the lead leg out from Prochakza, and was dominating the battle, till Prochazka went wild man on him and easily overran him with offense. That’s a way more tough proposition in opposition to somebody with the firepower and strategy of Pereira.

What this implies is that for Pereira, the trail ahead is straightforward: make this battle like the primary one. Chop the entrance leg, defend takedowns, and clip Prochazka when he begins to get wild. On prime of that, Pereira additionally ought to look to double jab, establishing the straight proper hand. As a result of Prochakza fights along with his arms down, his first intuition on protection is to slide after which slide again. The double jab with a observe up places Prochakza within the powerful spot of being on the finish of his protection when the facility shot is available in. Double jabs and calf kicks, that’s the secret on Saturday for Pereira.

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Paths to victory for Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303

Even supposing he bought stopped within the first matchup, Prochakza enters Saturday saying he’s not going to vary the gameplan. That looks like a nasty concept. In spite of everything, the definition of loopy is doing the identical factor and anticipating completely different outcomes.

Within the first battle, Prochakza approached it in the identical means he approaches most individuals, slightly little bit of all the things. He exhibits Pereira a ton of various appears to be like on the toes, scored one takedown, and even shocked Pereira within the second spherical with a barrage of lengthy punches that “Poatan” didn’t see coming. It’s a wise method to battle most individuals: however Pereira will not be most individuals.

Retaining opponents on their toes is often technique. The extra they’ve to contemplate, the more durable issues get for them. Besides on this circumstance, when Prochakza spent the second spherical consenting to a placing battle with Pereira, that was simply enjoying to his opponent’s energy. Positive, you can win that means. Nevertheless it’s wiser to not.

The best method to beat Pereira is to take him down. That nearly solely negates his offense, which means Prochakza has the perfect likelihood to win the battle. And whereas Pereira is healthier than many consider at wrestling and grappling, Prochakza proved he can do it. His first plan of assault ought to at all times be getting this to the ground and as soon as it’s there, it ought to be about management. Prochakza’s wild tendencies prolong to the bottom as effectively and that’s how Pereira stood up within the first battle. The main target ought to be getting Pereira down after which conserving him there. Let offense come afterwards.

In fact that doesn’t imply be afraid of Pereira’s placing. No fighter can win a battle if they simply punt on one part of the sport solely. Prochakza had quantity of success on the toes utilizing a ton of feints to maintain Pereira off stability. Utilizing loads of that, plus extra physique work ought to be the main focus in placing. Prochakza has a sneaky entrance kick to the physique that might serve him effectively, and the physique work ought to open up different alternatives each up prime and into clinches, the place Prochakza than then look to take issues to the ground.

X-Components

In response to Prochakza, the most important x-factor is Pereira’s use of “religious forces” to achieve an unsporting benefit within the battle. However any good samurai ought to be capable to negate the magical powers deployed in opposition to him, so I’m calling {that a} wash. No, the x-factor on this battle is the short-notice.

Per most stories, Pereira was not initially eager on stepping in to save lots of this occasion on only a few weeks’ discover, and was actually in Australia on the time. Add in that he’s recovering/nonetheless coping with some damaged toes (coincidentally the identical subject that led Conor McGregor to withdraw from the occasion) and it’s truthful to marvel what model of Pereira will step into the cage on Saturday. No fighter competes at 100%, however is Poatan even at 75? We’ll see.

On the opposite aspect of issues, Prochakza can also be stepping in on brief discover however rumor has it he was coaching like regular. In that case, that’s undoubtedly a bonus heading into this battle.

May all of this be nothing? In fact! It’s rumor, hypothesis, and conjecture. But when Pereira exhibits up and might’t transfer as effectively or runs out of gasoline within the later rounds, everybody will look again and assume we must always have seen this coming.

Prediction

Due to the brief discover, I do consider this battle is nearer than final time, however I’ll guess the identical end result occurs. Prochakza has some instruments to make issues tough, however his insistence that he’s not altering the plan and his odd obsession with Pereira’s “religious powers” makes me assume “BJP” didn’t study any actual classes from the primary encounter. In that case, Prochakza is mainly hoping to high-roll a knockout blow in opposition to Pereira, which may at all times occur, however the extra seemingly end result is one other battle the place Jiri runs headlong onto Pereira’s finest weapons.

Alex Pereira def. Jiri Prochazka by way of knockout (punches) — 4:34, Spherical 3.