Alex Pereira took care of business in his UFC Light Heavyweight Championship match against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295. “Poatan” delivered a TKO in the second round, cementing himself as the new driving force.
Now, he has an upcoming match against Jamahal Hill at UFC 300, who wants a piece of that belt. It’s going to be an entertaining main event, with the two fighters presenting contrasting styles. Pereira is a pure kickboxer by art while “Sweet Dreams” is a solid mixed martial artist. Hill incorporates different fighting styles into the mix, making him a challenging opponent.
But let’s look at the championship bout at UFC 295 first. What made the Brazilian star stand out in that fight? How did Pereira control himself throughout the fight?
Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka
One thing that stood out in Alex Pereira’s fight against Jiri Prochazka was how he took control early in the fight. For example, whenever the Czech fighter tried to take him down, “Poatan” would deliver blows to the head. In turn, Pereira countered and wore the then-champion down.
This went on for the majority of the fight, where the Brazilian star would break Prochazka down at every turn. The longer the fight went on, the more it favored Pereira.
Overall, the championship fight saw both fighters try to get a good strike in. But when Prochazka tried to back him into a corner, Pereira landed a hard right hand. That led to him pummeling the championship reign out of the Czech fighter’s hands.
How Periera Can Retain His Title
Alex Pereira must maintain control of his fight against Jamahal Hill. That means being alert to Hill’s movement and knowing when he’s going for the kill. That also means timely, precise strikes that can leave an opening for the champion to pounce.
Sometimes, it’s best to let your opponent make the first move. That’s especially true if the fighter knows what’s coming. With the proper preparation, the fighter can properly counter and go on the offensive.
Prochazka tried to go for the kill against “Poatan,” only to get burned in the second round at UFC 295. But at UFC 300, Hill will be better at doing this. However, it’s up to the UFC Light Heavyweight champion to find the right counter and unload.
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Jacob Walters is a boxing/MMA writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @IceColdWJacob
