![Alex Pereira (left) is backing on hard work against Jiri Prochazka (right). [Images courtesy @alexpoatanpereira and @jirkaprochazka on Instagram]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/06/1a600-17196369195350-1920.jpg)
![Alex Pereira (left) is backing on hard work against Jiri Prochazka (right). [Images courtesy @alexpoatanpereira and @jirkaprochazka on Instagram]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http%3A//www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns%3Axlink='http%3A//www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20viewBox='0%200%2010%206.25'%3E%3Cfilter%20id='b'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20stdDeviation='.5'%3E%3C/feGaussianBlur%3E%3CfeComponentTransfer%3E%3CfeFuncA%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20type='discrete'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20tableValues='1%201'%3E%3C/feFuncA%3E%3C/feComponentTransfer%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20filter='url(%23b)'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Alex Pereira confirming that no supernatural assistance will be aiding him against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 has left fight fans in splits.
Prochazka's seemingly odd training methods have made him an anomaly among MMA fighters. His recent accusations that Pereira resorts to shamanistic aid for his fights might just have further cemented him as an eccentric in the minds of fight fans.
However, it looks like the Czech national won't have to fear magic aiding 'Poatan' at the upcoming pay-per-view. During the ceremonial weigh-ins for the event, the Brazilian confirmed that he is banking on hard work and not magic against Prochazka.
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Catch Alex Pereira's comments below:
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Pereira's statement has caught fight fans off guard, prompting many to take to social media to note their opinions on the bizarre situation.
@DarthnNez wrote:
"He not fooling me."
In a hilarious response, @abi_thepirate wrote:
"Alex Pereira would be working at a tire shop if it wasn't for his PED use [performance enhancing demons]."
@JalinTurnerFan chimed in:
"That's exactly what a sneaky wizard would say."
Check out a few more responses below:
Pereira shares a strong connection with his Indigenous roots of the Brazilian Pataxo Tribe, as is evidenced by the body paintings he dons before his fights. However, he has yet to draw a parallel between his cultural roots and domination inside the octagon.
Meanwhile, Prochazka is no stranger to seeking will and inspiration elsewhere. The 31-year-old is an astute follower of the Bushido code, a set of principles Samurai lived by.
When the pair locked horns for the first time at UFC 295, 'Poatan' came out on top, TKOing his counterpart in the second round. This is the only UFC loss on Prochazka's record so far.
Watch Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka 1 below:
Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka: UFC 303 betting odds
Reigning champion Alex Pereira is the betting favorite heading into his light heavyweight title fight rematch against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303.
'Poatan' is a favorite per almost all bookmakers and DraftKings Sportsbook has him a -130 favorite over Prochazka (+110 underdog).
This means a $100 bet on 'Poatan' has a winning potential of $176.92, while the same wager on the Prochazka can fetch users a tidy sum of $210 if the former champion gets his hand raised.
