The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, was the electrifying battleground for UFC 303, a night that showcased spectacular knockouts, hard-fought decisions, and the undeniable star power of Alex Pereira. Fight fans who packed the venue and tuned in around the globe witnessed Pereira solidify his light heavyweight dominance with another stunning finish, proving once again why he is considered one of the most fearsome strikers in mixed martial arts. But UFC 303 in Las Vegas was more than just the Pereira show; it was a testament to the unpredictable nature of the fight game, featuring short-notice heroics and memorable performances across the card.
Pereira’s Vicious Knockout Confirms Light Heavyweight Throne in Las Vegas
Alex Pereira’s reign as the UFC light heavyweight champion is anything but a fluke. At UFC 303, held in the fight capital of Las Vegas, he delivered a chilling second-round knockout against Jiri Prochazka, silencing any doubts lingering from their first encounter. Pereira’s striking prowess is simply breathtaking. Three consecutive UFC title fights, three brutal knockouts – each more emphatic than the last. What makes his ascent even more remarkable is his relatively recent transition to MMA. Just a few years ago, Pereira was conquering the kickboxing world, claiming Glory titles in two weight classes. Now, in the UFC, he’s rapidly building a legacy that rivals the most intimidating figures in the sport’s history. Comparisons to a young Jon Jones, who once terrorized the light heavyweight division, are not unwarranted.
Pereira dismantled Prochazka with chilling efficiency. After nearly finishing the Czech fighter at the end of the first round, Pereira wasted no time in the second, landing a head kick that sent Prochazka crashing to the canvas. The victory sparked immediate speculation about a move to heavyweight, a feat that could etch Pereira’s name into the record books as the first UFC fighter to hold titles in three different weight classes. While such ambitions are often dismissed as hyperbole, with Pereira, they feel within the realm of possibility.
Short-Notice Co-Main Event Steals the Show
The co-main event of UFC 303 in Las Vegas was a whirlwind of last-minute changes and unexpected matchups. Diego Lopes, initially slated to face Brian Ortega, found himself across the Octagon from Dan Ige after Ortega was forced to withdraw due to illness. The weight class itself became a moving target, shifting from featherweight to 155 pounds, and finally settling at a 165-pound catchweight to accommodate Ige’s late entry.
Despite the chaos, both Lopes and Ige delivered a captivating battle. Lopes, a featherweight contender, showcased his resilience and skill by agreeing to fight up two weight classes against a tough opponent on extremely short notice. Ige, a Las Vegas native, deserves immense credit for stepping in to save the co-main event slot under such unusual circumstances. In the end, Lopes secured a unanimous decision victory in a fight that highlighted the adaptability and fighting spirit of both athletes.
UFC 303 Winners: Rising Stars and Resurgent Veterans
Beyond the headliners, UFC 303 in Las Vegas saw several fighters elevate their stock with impressive victories:
Roman Dolidze: Stepping in on short notice at light heavyweight, Dolidze snapped a two-fight skid with a unanimous decision win over veteran Anthony Smith. While not the most action-packed fight, Dolidze’s strategic leg kicks and ground strikes earned him a valuable victory.
Macy Chiasson: Chiasson showcased brutal finishing ability against Mayra Bueno Silva. A perfectly placed elbow opened a deep cut above Bueno Silva’s eye, forcing a doctor’s stoppage in the second round. Chiasson is now 2-0 in 2024, both wins coming by way of TKO.
Ian Machado Garry: Garry overcame a unique challenge in Michael “Venom” Page, securing a unanimous decision victory. While some fans may have desired more fireworks, Garry displayed a mature and patient approach, neutralizing Page’s unorthodox style and securing a crucial win in the welterweight division.
Joe Pyfer: Pyfer rebounded from his recent loss with a thunderous first-round knockout of Marc-Andre Barriault. The powerful middleweight reminded everyone of his finishing capabilities, putting himself back in the conversation for a ranked opponent.
Jean Silva: Silva continued his impressive UFC run with a second-round knockout of Charles Jourdain. Silva’s knockout marked the first time Jourdain has been finished by strikes, highlighting Silva’s power and potential in the featherweight division.
Payton Talbott: Talbott delivered the fastest finish of the night, a blistering 19-second knockout of Yanis Ghemmouri. The bantamweight prospect lived up to the hype, showcasing his speed and power in a dominant performance.
Gillian Robertson: Robertson dominated Michelle Waterson-Gomez, securing a unanimous decision victory. Robertson’s grappling prowess was on full display as she controlled the fight and earned a chance to face higher-ranked opponents in the strawweight division.
Rei Tsuruya & Vinicius Oliveira: Both Tsuruya and Oliveira secured unanimous decision wins in their respective bouts, adding to the list of winners on a stacked UFC 303 card.
UFC 303 Losers and Points to Ponder
While many fighters celebrated victories, UFC 303 in Las Vegas also had its share of disappointments and talking points:
Jiri Prochazka: Prochazka’s second loss to Pereira raises questions about his future title aspirations at light heavyweight.
Herb Dean: Referee Herb Dean faced criticism for his handling of the main event, particularly for not having the doctor examine Prochazka between rounds and for the late stoppage in round two.
Anthony Smith & Michael Page: Both Smith and Page suffered decision losses, hindering their progress in their respective divisions.
Michelle Waterson-Gomez: Waterson-Gomez’s loss to Robertson led to her retirement announcement, marking the end of a long and respected career.
Martin Buday & Andrei Arlovski: Their heavyweight bout was criticized for a lack of action, with neither fighter making a strong impression. The UFC’s continued booking of Arlovski at 45 years old was also questioned.
Ricky Simon: Simon’s loss to Oliveira marked his third consecutive defeat, raising concerns about his standing in the bantamweight division.
Joe Rogan’s Commentary on Arlovski: UFC commentator Joe Rogan sparked debate with his candid remarks about Andrei Arlovski’s cautious fighting style, suggesting he was simply “collecting checks.”
UFC 303 Full Fight Card Results
UFC 303 Pay-Per-View Card:
- Alex Pereira defeats Jiri Prochazka via TKO at 0:13 of Round 2 (Kick to head at distance)
- Diego Lopes defeats Dan Ige via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
- Roman Dolidze defeats Anthony Smith via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Macy Chiasson defeats Mayra Bueno Silva via TKO (Doctor stoppage at 1:58 of Round 2)
- Ian Machado Garry defeats Michael “Venom” Page via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
UFC 303 Preliminary Card:
- Joe Pyfer defeats Marc-Andre Barriault via knockout at 1:25 of Round 1 (Punch to head at distance)
- Andre Fili defeats Cub Swanson via split decision (29-29, 28-29, 29-28)
- Jean Silva defeats Charles Jourdain via knockout at 1:22 of Round 2 (Punch to head in clinch)
- Payton Talbott defeats Yanis Ghemmouri via knockout at 0:19 of Round 1 (Punch to head at distance)
UFC 303 Early Preliminary Card:
- Gillian Robertson defeats Michelle Waterson-Gomez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
- Martin Buday defeats Andrei Arlovski via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
- Rei Tsuruya defeats Carlos Hernandez via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)
- Vinicius Oliveira defeats Ricky Simon via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
UFC 303 Fight Night Bonuses
UFC 303 Fight of the Night: Cub Swanson vs. Andre Fili
UFC 303 Performance of the Night: Alex Pereira
UFC 303 Performance of the Night: Macy Chiasson
UFC 303 Performance of the Night: Joe Pyfer
UFC 303 Performance of the Night: Payton Talbott
UFC 303 Scorecards
- UFC 303 scorecard: Vinicius Oliveira vs. Ricky Simon
- UFC 303 scorecard: Rei Tsuruya vs. Carlos Hernandez
- UFC 303 scorecard: Martin Buday vs. Andrei Arlovski
- UFC 303 Scorecard: Gillian Robertson vs. Michelle Waterson-Gomez
- UFC 303 Scorecard: Andre Fili vs. Cub Swanson
- UFC 303 Scorecard: Ian Machado Garry vs. Michael Page
- UFC 303 Scorecard: Diego Lopes vs. Dan Ige
UFC 303 in Las Vegas delivered a night of unforgettable moments, cementing Alex Pereira’s status as a dominant champion and showcasing the resilience and excitement that makes MMA such a captivating sport.
