An thrilling rematch between mild heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka headlines Saturday’s UFC 303 card from Las Vegas. Whereas a combat between two of probably the most action-oriented fighters within the heavier weight courses might get followers blood pumping, it was fairly the journey to the 2 massive males agreeing to step within the Octagon.
UFC 303 was initially deliberate to characteristic Conor McGregor’s first combat since struggling a damaged leg in his rematch with Dustin Poirier in 2021. Sadly, a damaged toe pressured McGregor out of his combat with Michael Chandler simply weeks forward of the occasion, leaving UFC matchmakers scrambling to discover a strong alternative for the Worldwide Combat Week card.
They acquired the job achieved with Pereiria and Prochazka, who first met in November 2023, with Pereira scoring a second-round stoppage. That combat was Prochazka’s first since getting back from an harm that pressured him to vacate the sunshine heavyweight title. Each have gone on to choose up a win, with Pereira knocking out former mild heavyweight champ Jamahal Hill and Prochazka outslugging Aleksandar Rakic, each at UFC 300.
The co-main occasion additionally went by way of a significant transformation, initially that includes Hill vs. Khalil Rountree earlier than a collection of accidents to these fighters, in addition to replacements, led to the combat finally changing into Anthony Smith vs. Roman Dolidze.
In response, the UFC booked a brand new co-main occasion that includes featherweight contenders Diego Lopes and Brian Ortega, with the winner transferring nearer to a future shot on the 145-pound title.
On condition that the cardboard was initially centered round McGregor, the undercard is pretty shallow on identify worth, however that does not imply there will not be loads of motion price maintaining a tally of. Rising middleweight contender Joe Pfyer seems to get again on observe when he takes on Marc-Andre Barriault in a preliminary bout. Ian Machado Garry and Michael “Venom” Web page are set to sq. off in an fascinating welterweight contest between rising contenders. And a late addition to the cardboard sees Roman Dolidze transfer as much as mild heavyweight to problem veteran Anthony Smith.
With a lot occurring on Saturday evening, let’s take a better take a look at the complete combat card with the newest odds earlier than we get to our employees predictions and picks for the PPV portion of the festivities.
UFC 303 combat card, odds
- Alex Pereira (c) -150 vs. Jiri Prochazka +125, mild heavyweight title
- Diego Lopes -145 vs. Brian Ortega +120, featherweights
- Roman Dolidze -145 vs. Anthony Smith +120, mild heavyweights
- Macy Chiasson -110 vs. Mayra Bueno Silva -110, girls’s bantamweights
- Ian Machado Garry -155 vs. Michael Web page +130, welterweights
- Joe Pyfer -300 vs. Marc-Andre Barriault +240, middleweights
- Andre Fili -235 vs. Cub Swanson +195. featherweights
- Charles Jourdain -115 vs. Jean Silva -105, featherweights
- Gillian Robertson -180 vs. Michelle Waterson-Gomez +155, girls’s strawweights
- Payton Talbott -1600 vs. Yanis Ghemmouri +800, bantamweights
- Martin Buday -270 vs. Andrei Arlovski +220, heavyweights
- Rei Tsuruya -470 vs. Carlos Hernandez +350, flyweights
- Ricky Simon -250 vs. Vinicius Olivera +205, bantamweights
With such an enormous predominant occasion on faucet, the crew at CBS Sports activities went forward with predictions and picks for the principle card. Listed below are your choose makers: Brent Brookhouse (Fight sports activities author), Brian Campbell (Fight sports activities author), Shakiel Mahjouri (author), Michael Mormile (producer) and Brandon Smart (senior editor).
UFC 303 picks, predictions
Pereira vs. Prochazka | Pereira | Pereira | Pereira | Pereira | Prochazka |
Lopes vs. Ortega | Lopes | Ortega | Lopes | Ortega | Ortega |
Dolidze vs. Smith | Smith | Smith | Dolidze | Dolidze | Smith |
Chiasson vs. Bueno Silva | Bueno Silva | Bueno Silva | Bueno Silva | Chiasson | Chiasson |
Garry vs. Web page | Garry | Web page | Garry | Web page | Garry |
Pereira vs. Prochazka
Campbell: Whereas their first assembly was a predictably wild affair with each touchdown massive pictures, the velocity and technical precision of Pereira’s left hook stays an issue for everybody he steps into the cage with. Within the case of Prochazka, his defensive liabilities and infrequently reckless fashion make it a fair greater one. Each fighters might be making 77-day turnarounds from their respective wins at UFC 300 in April, which does not present a lot of a bonus both method. Pereira’s two damaged toes do not look like holding him again, even when his look at UFC 303 solely got here to be after Conor McGregor broke his personal pinky toe and wanted to tug out. Pereira is working on the peak of his powers and seems to be even higher as a lightweight heavyweight than he was making the troublesome lower right down to 185 kilos.
Brookhouse: What motive is there to anticipate this combat to play out in another way than the primary assembly? Prochazka is unbelievable to look at for the precise causes Pereira is a horrible opponent for him. Prochazka is defensively wide-open and operates with a equally wide-open aggression. That is only a unhealthy mixture towards a fighter like Pereira, who has pinpoint hanging in addition to brutal energy. Prochazka may try to take a wrestling-first method, however that is not his bread and butter and I am unsure that is a recipe for assured success towards Pereira now that he is had years to be taught takedown protection and sufficient abilities to outlive and get again to his toes when the combat does hit the ground. Anticipate a wild 5 to 10 minutes earlier than Pereira lands the shot that indicators the start of the tip.
Mahjouri: I will not make the error twice of choosing Prochazka over Pereira. The reigning champ’s composure, method and earth-shattering energy are leagues forward of the division’s different strikers. It possible takes an elite wrestler or well-rounded fighter who masks takedowns behind strikes to beat this model of Pereira. Prochazka is most comfy in chaos. Prochazka misplaced the technical hanging battle in Spherical 1 of his combat towards Aleksandar Rakic earlier than ending Rakic with a nonstop offensive flurry in Spherical 2. Sadly, Pereira has an excessive amount of knockout energy for that to be a accountable recreation plan. Prochazka would possibly conform to a defensive fashion however he’ll possible be outpointed by Pereira, the superior technical striker. Prochazka might be compelled to pressure the difficulty and can possible get taken out by a ferocious counterpunch.
Smart: Whereas I do consider Pereira has already cemented himself as the most effective fighters of the trendy period, there’s something about how rapidly this combat was put collectively and the accidents that “Poatan” will carry into the Octagon. Prochazka managed to face in entrance of Rakic and eat each strike he threw earlier than rallying to cease him. I am unsure that technique precisely is how the Czech native can get it achieved, however Prochazka does have that bizarre, particular high quality to him that is ready to take up a ton of harm earlier than delivering the ending blow of his personal. Have in mind, Pereira has been stopped earlier than and Prochazka does have loads of energy. Will probably be fascinating to see how the 2 damaged toes on Pereira have an effect on is motion as effectively.
Lopes vs. Ortega
Campbell: Speak about a enjoyable, last-minute providing as a brand new co-main occasion. Key positioning throughout the featherweight rankings is obtainable for each but it surely’s Lopes who has been extra lively and driving an enormous lightning bolt of momentum. Although Ortega rebounded properly to submit Yair Rodriguez of their February rematch, he absorbed massive punishment (as standard). Until we see an Ortega who’s dedicated to transferring his head and defending himself inside battle, it is a combat that may be one on the toes by the surging Lopes, even to the purpose of a knockout offered the sturdy grappling video games of one another cancel out.
Brookhouse: There are such a lot of elements that make this a tough combat to choose. Each males are coming in on quick discover, for starters. Each are additionally not nice at defending incoming assaults whereas having the ability to get their very own dynamic assaults going. Lopes is on a hell of a roll, however Ortega is used to the massive stage. Sure, Ortega took some injury towards Yair Rodriguez earlier this yr however taking injury is a part of his recreation, for higher or worse. If Ortega can survive the first-round blitz, I believe he takes over the combat within the second and third, however I say this with little confidence.
Mahjouri: There isn’t any method this combat might be boring. Ortega and Lopes are dynamic, offense-oriented fighters who wield knockout energy and thrilling submission video games. It is a toss-up stylistically. Ortega has the benefit of high-level expertise. “T-Metropolis” has collected loads of injury however has by no means been stopped cleanly, solely by physician stoppage. Lopes might not have as a lot high-level UFC expertise however he is competed 10 extra instances professionally than his opponent. Lopes carried out tremendously in a dropping short-notice debut towards Movsar Evloev final yr. One thing tells me he’ll deal with the fast turnaround higher than Ortega, significantly contemplating how a lot injury Ortega took in a profitable efficiency towards Yair Rodriguez in February. My greatest concern in siding with Lopes is his paltry 37% hanging protection within the UFC. That may steadiness out with Ortega’s surprisingly low 38% hanging accuracy. I am going to trepidatiously take Lopes inside the space.
Dolidze vs. Smith
Campbell: Initially booked in what’s now a cursed co-main occasion slot as a alternative for Khalil Rountree Jr., Smith stays the final man standing after Jamahal Hill and Carlos Ulberg proceeded to comply with Rountree in withdrawing. Smith’s opportunistic nature helped him in staying on the cardboard as the one fighter who would comply with face him on excessive late discover was middleweight Roman Dolidze. Smith not solely has the dimensions and expertise edge as a former 205-pound title challenger, his grappling abilities may give Dolidze massive points as Smith makes an attempt to construct on the momentum of his first-round submission win over Vitor Petrino in Could to cease a dropping skid.
Mahjouri: Do not be fooled by Dolidze’s current performances. Dolidze’s losses to Nassourdine Imavov and Marvin Vettori are forgivable, significantly contemplating Imavov’s current stoppage win over Jared Cannonier. Dolidze has largely been a KO artist in MMA however wields a powerful grappling background. Dolidze has gained a number of grappling championships and competed on the prestigious ADCC Worlds Event. Dolidze has additionally fought as excessive as heavyweight so I do not suppose he’ll be bothered by the short-notice leap from middleweight. Smith’s chin is compromised and his defensive response time has slowed. “Lionheart” presently is at his finest when capitalizing on opponents’ inexperience. I am unsure how constantly Dolidze will land on the toes however he has energy and sufficient abilities to keep away from making a detrimental error.
Who wins UFC 303: Pereira vs. Prochazka 2, and the way precisely does every combat finish? Go to SportsLine now to get detailed picks on UFC 303, all from the MMA professional who profited greater than $1,500 on his UFC main-card picks, and discover out.
require.config({"baseUrl":"https://sportsfly.cbsistatic.com/fly-0727/bundles/sportsmediajs/js-build","config":{"version":{"fly/components/accordion":"1.0","fly/components/alert":"1.0","fly/components/base":"1.0","fly/components/carousel":"1.0","fly/components/dropdown":"1.0","fly/components/fixate":"1.0","fly/components/form-validate":"1.0","fly/components/image-gallery":"1.0","fly/components/iframe-messenger":"1.0","fly/components/load-more":"1.0","fly/components/load-more-article":"1.0","fly/components/load-more-scroll":"1.0","fly/components/loading":"1.0","fly/components/modal":"1.0","fly/components/modal-iframe":"1.0","fly/components/network-bar":"1.0","fly/components/poll":"1.0","fly/components/search-player":"1.0","fly/components/social-button":"1.0","fly/components/social-counts":"1.0","fly/components/social-links":"1.0","fly/components/tabs":"1.0","fly/components/video":"1.0","fly/libs/easy-xdm":"2.4.17.1","fly/libs/jquery.cookie":"1.2","fly/libs/jquery.throttle-debounce":"1.1","fly/libs/jquery.widget":"1.9.2","fly/libs/omniture.s-code":"1.0","fly/utils/jquery-mobile-init":"1.0","fly/libs/jquery.mobile":"1.3.2","fly/libs/backbone":"1.0.0","fly/libs/underscore":"1.5.1","fly/libs/jquery.easing":"1.3","fly/managers/ad":"2.0","fly/managers/components":"1.0","fly/managers/cookie":"1.0","fly/managers/debug":"1.0","fly/managers/geo":"1.0","fly/managers/gpt":"4.3","fly/managers/history":"2.0","fly/managers/madison":"1.0","fly/managers/social-authentication":"1.0","fly/utils/data-prefix":"1.0","fly/utils/data-selector":"1.0","fly/utils/function-natives":"1.0","fly/utils/guid":"1.0","fly/utils/log":"1.0","fly/utils/object-helper":"1.0","fly/utils/string-helper":"1.0","fly/utils/string-vars":"1.0","fly/utils/url-helper":"1.0","libs/jshashtable":"2.1","libs/select2":"3.5.1","libs/jsonp":"2.4.0","libs/jquery/mobile":"1.4.5","libs/modernizr.custom":"2.6.2","libs/velocity":"1.2.2","libs/dataTables":"1.10.6","libs/dataTables.fixedColumns":"3.0.4","libs/dataTables.fixedHeader":"2.1.2","libs/dateformat":"1.0.3","libs/waypoints/infinite":"3.1.1","libs/waypoints/inview":"3.1.1","libs/waypoints/jquery.waypoints":"3.1.1","libs/waypoints/sticky":"3.1.1","libs/jquery/dotdotdot":"1.6.1","libs/jquery/flexslider":"2.1","libs/jquery/lazyload":"1.9.3","libs/jquery/maskedinput":"1.3.1","libs/jquery/marquee":"1.3.1","libs/jquery/numberformatter":"1.2.3","libs/jquery/placeholder":"0.2.4","libs/jquery/scrollbar":"0.1.6","libs/jquery/tablesorter":"2.0.5","libs/jquery/touchswipe":"1.6.18","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.core":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.draggable":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.mouse":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.position":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.slider":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.sortable":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.touch-punch":"0.2.3","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.autocomplete":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.accordion":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.tabs":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.menu":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.dialog":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.resizable":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.button":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.tooltip":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.effects":"1.11.4","libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.datepicker":"1.11.4"}},"shim":{"liveconnection/managers/connection":{"deps":["liveconnection/libs/sockjs-0.3.4"]},"liveconnection/libs/sockjs-0.3.4":{"exports":"SockJS"},"libs/setValueFromArray":{"exports":"set"},"libs/getValueFromArray":{"exports":"get"},"fly/libs/jquery.mobile-1.3.2":["version!fly/utils/jquery-mobile-init"],"libs/backbone.marionette":{"deps":["jquery","version!fly/libs/underscore","version!fly/libs/backbone"],"exports":"Marionette"},"fly/libs/underscore-1.5.1":{"exports":"_"},"fly/libs/backbone-1.0.0":{"deps":["version!fly/libs/underscore","jquery"],"exports":"Backbone"},"libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.tabs-1.11.4":["jquery","version!libs/jquery/ui/jquery.ui.core","version!fly/libs/jquery.widget"],"libs/jquery/flexslider-2.1":["jquery"],"libs/dataTables.fixedColumns-3.0.4":["jquery","version!libs/dataTables"],"libs/dataTables.fixedHeader-2.1.2":["jquery","version!libs/dataTables"],"https://sports.cbsimg.net/js/CBSi/app/VideoPlayer/AdobePass-min.js":["https://sports.cbsimg.net/js/CBSi/util/Utils-min.js"]},"map":{"*":{"adobe-pass":"https://sports.cbsimg.net/js/CBSi/app/VideoPlayer/AdobePass-min.js","facebook":"https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js","facebook-debug":"https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all/debug.js","google":"https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js","google-csa":"https://www.google.com/adsense/search/async-ads.js","google-javascript-api":"https://www.google.com/jsapi","google-client-api":"https://accounts.google.com/gsi/client","gpt":"https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/tag/js/gpt.js","hlsjs":"https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/hls.js/1.0.7/hls.js","recaptcha":"https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api.js?onload=loadRecaptcha&render=explicit","recaptcha_ajax":"https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api/js/recaptcha_ajax.js","supreme-golf":"https://sgapps-staging.supremegolf.com/search/assets/js/bundle.js","taboola":"https://cdn.taboola.com/libtrc/cbsinteractive-cbssports/loader.js","twitter":"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js","video-avia":"https://vidtech.cbsinteractive.com/avia-js/2.12.0/player/avia.min.js","video-avia-ui":"https://vidtech.cbsinteractive.com/avia-js/2.12.0/plugins/ui/avia.ui.min.js","video-avia-gam":"https://vidtech.cbsinteractive.com/avia-js/2.12.0/plugins/gam/avia.gam.min.js","video-avia-hls":"https://vidtech.cbsinteractive.com/avia-js/2.12.0/plugins/hls/avia.hls.min.js","video-avia-playlist":"https://vidtech.cbsinteractive.com/avia-js/2.12.0/plugins/playlist/avia.playlist.min.js","video-ima3":"https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/sdkloader/ima3.js","video-ima3-dai":"https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/sdkloader/ima3_dai.js","video-utils":"https://sports.cbsimg.net/js/CBSi/util/Utils-min.js","video-vast-tracking":"https://vidtech.cbsinteractive.com/sb55/vast-js/vtg-vast-client.js"}},"waitSeconds":300});