UFC 303: Alex Pereira scores 2nd-round TKO over Jiri Prochazka to retain light heavyweight title

LAS VEGAS — Alex Pereira first became a champion kickboxer and then moved to the UFC and won title belts in the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions.And, after Saturday night’s convincing victory over top-ranked challenger Jiri Prochazka in UFC 303, he might not be done.Pereira could move up to heavyweight and do what no UFC fighter has ever accomplished — win championships in three weight classes.He put himself in position after delivering a vicious left kick to Prochazka’s head and then pounded him, ending the fight 13 seconds into the second round to retain his light heavyweight championship.“I think that’s in my future,” Pereira, who is from Brazil, said through an interpreter.“I said that the last time I was here.

I’m here, I’m available and I think that’s in my best interest.”UFC President Dana White wasn’t ready to commit, noting his respect for heavyweight champion Jon Jones.“We’ll see how this whole thing plays out,” White said.Pereira (11-2) now has beaten Prochazka (30-5-1) twice since November to end any doubts about who reigns in that weight class.Most of the drama at UFC 303 occurred outside the octagon in the weekend and even the hours leading up to the event.“Hell of a month,” White said.“It’s been challenging, but fun.”Officials had to act quickly after a late change was needed in the co-main event when an illness forced Brian Ortega to drop out.

Dan Ige already was in Las Vegas training for another fight and wound up taking on Diego Lopes in the lightweight fight.All three judges scored the fight 29-28 in favor Lopes (25-6) of Brazil.Ige (18-8), who is from Honolulu but lives in Las Vegas, was cheered loudly for showing up with little notice.The UFC also scrambled to pair Pereira and Prochazka after scheduled headliner Conor McGregor’s broken toe forced him to withdraw.

They were given about two weeks to prepare after Pereira had his Australia vacation disrupted and Prochazka was interrupted wh...