Alkass Digital
UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira anticipates facing Jiri Prochazka in a rematch soon. Pereira secured his first title defense by knocking out Jamahal Hill in the main event of UFC 300. Similarly, Prochazka rebounded by finishing Aleksandar Rakic on the same night after losing to Pereira at UFC 295.
Despite top contender Magomed Ankalaev's plea for a title shot following his January knockout of Johnny Walker, Pereira seems inclined to face Prochazka next. Pereira expressed during a UFC 301 media session that waiting for Ankalaev's bout with Prochazka would be too time-consuming. He cited his eagerness to return to training camp sooner rather than later.
Pereira emphasized that his decision is primarily motivated by timing and his readiness to engage in another fight preparation period promptly. While acknowledging Jamahal Hill's desire for a rematch and Ankalaev's aspirations, Pereira indicated that Prochazka is likely next in line due to scheduling constraints.
Prochazka had called out Pereira after defeating Rakic, expressing dissatisfaction with the referee's intervention in their previous fight. Pereira, however, doesn't anticipate a significant change in Prochazka's fighting style for a potential rematch. He believes his own evolution in MMA will outpace Prochazka's due to the latter's extensive fighting experience.