UFC 303 takeaways — No theatrics wanted, Alex Pereira is MMA’s greatest star

A 13-fight card at UFC 303 in Las Vegas was headlined by a dominant title battle efficiency from Alex Pereira-Jiri Procházka. Within the co-main occasion, Dan Ige stepped in on quick discover, however Diego Lopes put the promotion on discover that he is prepared for the middle stage. However what had been the most important moments from Worldwide Struggle Week and who had been the most important standouts on the cardboard? Brett Okamoto, Andreas Hale and Jeff Wagenheim supply their remaining ideas.

Wagenheim: It simply retains getting higher for Alex Pereira. Merely agreeing to this title battle, taking it on simply two weeks’ discover and whereas he was overseas and much away from his coaching gymnasium, was legendary sufficient. However his efficiency on Saturday elevated the UFC mild heavyweight champion into the stratosphere.

Pereira’s head-kick knockout 13 seconds into Spherical 2 of the UFC 303 essential occasion, after dropping former champ Jiri Procházka with a left hook proper on the horn ending the opening spherical, left the group at T-Cellular Area surprised and looking forward to extra from this electrifying powerhouse. Possibly it will be one other title protection at 205 kilos, or maybe he is prepared for a transfer as much as heavyweight.

In Pereira’s post-fight interview contained in the cage, commentator Joe Rogan was already making an attempt to promote the heavyweight transfer, which might catapult “Poatan” towards an unprecedented achievement. In simply 9 journeys contained in the Octagon, he has already captured the championship at middleweight and lightweight heavyweight. Nobody has ever received UFC belts in three weight lessons.

“I believe that is in my future,” mentioned Pereira, who was a two-division kickboxing world champ in one other sporting life. “I mentioned that final time I used to be right here. … There did not appear to be a lot curiosity within the group. … I believe the followers have a whole lot of say on this — no matter they need. Ultimately, these are the individuals paying for this. If that is what they need, it will be inevitable.”

On the one hand, the UFC’s heavyweight division does not want so as to add to the prevailing gridlock between champion Jon Jones, interim champion Tom Aspinall and ex-champion Stipe Miocic. And the 205-pound division might nonetheless use Pereira’s star energy, which was shining brightly earlier than this night time however now could be dazzling.

However there is not any micromanaging a phenomenon like Pereira. If you happen to’re the UFC, you discover him probably the most intriguing alternatives on the market and let him obtain extra of what, just some quick years in the past, nobody noticed coming.

This isn’t the second coming of Conor McGregor, whom Pereira changed on Saturday. The Irishman is the most important star the game has ever seen, however his affect was constructed far past the cage and, lately, is almost all about melodrama. Pereira, against this, is all fighter. His mic time is easy and spoken by means of an interpreter. What makes him a star like nobody else within the UFC is all about what occurs as soon as he steps into the cage. It begins along with his chillingly stoic stare throughout introductions and ends with a chillingly scary knockout. Followers will fortunately eat up extra of that reasonably than drained theatrics.

Lopes and Ige earn star remedy after UFC 303

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Dan Ige, Diego Lopes battle to determination in short-notice co-main occasion

Dan Ige and Diego Lopes battle all three rounds within the co-main occasion of UFC 303.

Hale: Sure, Diego Lopes picked up the victory and prolonged his profitable streak to 4 in a row with a unanimous determination win over Dan Ige. Nevertheless, the actual story is simply how this battle ended up occurring and the way Lopes and Ige delivered regardless of having no thought they’d be preventing each other till about 4 hours earlier than it occurred.

Let’s begin with Ige.

On Saturday morning, he was going to the fights as a fan. By Saturday night time, he was within the co-main occasion and had a powerful remaining spherical as he sought to tug off what would have been a outstanding upset in a battle he had no enterprise being in.

As for Lopes, he might have pulled out of this battle at any time. He might have shot down the load restrict for his battle with Brian Ortega being bumped as much as 155 kilos on Friday morning. When Ortega fell sick and needed to pull out, Lopes did not should danger going through one other opponent, particularly one as robust as Ige at a catchweight of 165 kilos. However he did it.

Profitable and shedding does not essentially matter as a lot as the center it took for each fighters to maintain this co-main occasion collectively and ship an thrilling battle for the followers.

Ige has now etched his title within the historical past books and established a legacy that shall be remembered. No matter he needs subsequent, give it to him — as long as it does not intervene with Lopes’ plans.

As for Lopes, his arrow was already pointing on the ceiling. If he needs to battle at UFC Noche at The Sphere, do it. If he needs a battle with somebody akin to Alexander Volkanovski — who he referred to as out afterward — give it to him. If Volkanovski is down.

Stars had been born on this night time, whatever the victor. Stars typically obtain favorable remedy due to their standing, and Lopes and Ige ought to really feel inclined to name in a favor or two going ahead.

Second of reality coming for Machado Garry

Okamoto: The UFC has orchestrated Ian Machado Garry’s profession fantastically. Really. And Machado Garry has repaid them by evolving and turning himself into a correct welterweight contender. He is taken appropriately timed steps up in competitors, and it hasn’t all the time regarded like a stroll within the park, however that could be a superb factor. An in depth break up determination win towards Geoff Neal in February and one other shut one on Saturday towards Michael Web page — these experiences are helpful to his general arc, and he is maintained his good report even in these shut ones.

That mentioned, there is no such thing as a constructing now. Machado Garry has entered the echelon of the division the place it will be laborious to seek out holes to take advantage of. Pretty much as good as it has been to see him come out of those difficult conditions on prime, there’s additionally one thing to be mentioned about these difficult conditions themselves. Machado Garry has not all the time regarded supremely snug in numerous aspects of those fights. He is overcome that with self-belief, glorious determination making and excellent expertise, however once more, there will not be such clear paths to victory towards future competitors.

By the best way, his historical past of bouncing round gyms does not appear to be holding him again. And in reality, it is laborious to say it is a unhealthy factor that in a battle just like the one towards Web page, he is skilled Dutch-style kickboxing with the likes of Henri Hooft, however now has the Muay Thai Chute Boxe type in his nook, to not point out Demian Maia. Generally, it is often not seen as an awesome factor when fighters bounce round gyms, nevertheless it definitely appears to be working for Machado Garry.