Top UFC Pick: Alex Pereira ML (-130) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
This weekend’s UFC 303 main event competitors are no strangers to one another, as Alex Pereira defends his light heavyweight championship against Jiri Prochazka in a rematch for the evening’s main event, and we’re covering all your betting needs.
Read on for our complete betting guide with an early preview of the UFC 303 main event title bout between Pereira and Prochazka. We included updated UFC odds and our free expert UFC first-look betting picks, predictions and analysis for you to cash in at top-rated sportsbooks.
UFC 303 Information
- When: Saturday, June 29, 2024 – 06:00 PM ET
- Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
- Scheduled Bouts: 13
- Main Event: Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka II
- Moneyline Probability: Pereira – 56% (-130) Prochazka – 45% (+120)
Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka II
Saturday, June 29, 2024 – 06:00 PM ET at T-Mobile Arena
Alex “Poatan” Pereira
There hasn’t been a fighter in professional mixed martial arts who has captured success and fame in a short time as Alex “Poatan” Pereira has. In just two-and-a-half years, the Brazilian knockout artist has collected a 7-1 UFC record with championship gold obtained from two weight classes – middleweight and light heavyweight – while doing so.
At UFC 303 this weekend, Pereira returns on short notice after stopping the former champ Jamahal Hill at UFC 300, which was also on short notice. To say this man is saving the company’s ass would be an understatement, but a familiar foe in Prochazka, the man he defeated last year, will be looking to play the villain and conquer this card-saving hero.
Pereira Combat Sports Accomplishments
- UFC Light Heavyweight Championship (One time, one defense, current)
- UFC Middleweight Champion (One time)
- Shortest time and fewest fights to win championships in two divisions in UFC history (736 days/7 bouts/2 championships)
- UFC Performance of the Night (Four times)
- Wins over 5 former UFC champions in first 8 UFC fights
Pereira Best Moneyline Odds: (-130) at BetOnline
Jiri “BJP” Prochazka
Much like Pereira, Jiri Prochazka had a rapid rise from debutant to title contender. He became the 205lb titleholder in just his third UFC bout, but an injury forced him to the sidelines. Upon return, Pereira had become the new king of the division, and unfortunately for our favorite UFC Samurai, he became a victim of the “Poatan” striking power.
Bouncing back into the win column at UFC 300, Prochazka defeated Aleksandar Rakic in brutal fashion (TKO), ultimately placing himself right back into the title picture. Now, his preparation to run it back with Pereira has arrived quicker than expected due to the short notice factor, but we should have no doubt that “BJP” is ready to right the wrongs and avoid letting history repeat itself.
Prochazka Combat Sports Accomplishments
- UFC Light Heavyweight Champion (One time)
- UFC Fight of the Night (Twice)
- UFC Performance of the Night (Three times)
- RIZIN Light Heavyweight Champion (Inaugural, one defense, former)
Prochazka Best Moneyline Odds: (+120) at BetOnline
UFC 303 Main Event: Tale of the Tape
UFC 303 Skillset Analysis: Styles Make Fights
From a stylistic standpoint, Prochazka and “Poatan” present an intriguing pair. The former loves to experiment and flow on the feet with unorthodox and complicated-to-read striking offenses while also possessing fight-ending power. The latter, however, is a former kickboxing world champion who fights behind crisp fundamental striking skills, with a left hook of death that can often be disguised behind blistering leg kicks.
It’s always difficult for strikers who’re coming up against “Poatan” because his elite kickboxing effortlessly transitioned to MMA. A grappling-heavy, diverse wrestler would be the perfect recipe to defeat the Brazilian, but as we watched in the first fight, Prochazka managed to get a takedown and unfortunately couldn’t follow up by keeping the fight grounded.
For this reason, we should expect, for the most part, another striking exchange between these two heavy hitters. Prochazka isn’t going to change; we’ll get that awkward, pressure-heavy striking style that we’re used to; it’s just difficult to back him when Pereira has every answer and then some for almost anybody willing to stand and trade with him.
Pereira Moneyline: The UFC 303 Best Bet Formula
The available UFC odds have placed Pereira as a slight betting favorite, and considering he won the first fight, you’re probably wondering why the odds aren’t holding more juice.
Well, this is nothing more than evidence of how dangerous Jiri is. That said, despite his low MMA record, we have an elite-level kickboxer who’s out-struck more men in combat than anybody on the UFC roster. As a strike-for-strike scenario is expected to play out in this weekend’s main event, I’m siding with the champ to cause that déjà vu moment, and the aura he has is also just something we should all struggle to fade – until a grappler comes along – cough, Magomed Ankalaev, cough.
UFC Pick: Pereira ML (-130) [1.3u to win 1u] at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
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