UFC 303 is set to take place in the early hours of Sunday the 30th of June (South African time) at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and we look at the main event between Pereira and Prochazka as well as two other fights on the card from a betting angle.
Click here for betting on the full fight card
ALEX PEREIRA vs JIRI PROCHAZKA
Light Heavyweight Title Fight:
Alex Pereira is a Brazilian fighter who has fought 8 times since entering the UFC winning 7 with his only loss being to Israel Adesanya, the second time they met in the octagon. He has fought in 4 title fights, winning 3 and he currently holds the division belt.
He has won his last 3 fights in a row, and he is known as a fighter who possesses brutal knockout power. The last time he fought was in April this year where he beat Jamahal Hill by KO in round 1.
Jiri Prochazka is a fighter from Czechia who is known for his stopping power and grappling abilities. He entered the UFC in 2020 and since then he has fought 5 times, winning on 4 of the 5 occasions with his loss being in the first bout against Pereira last December.
After a tough loss to Pereira, Prochazka managed to bounce back and win his most recent fight against Aleksandar Rakic by TKO in round 2 in April and he will be looking for revenge when he goes head-to-head with his conqueror this weekend.
BETTING – click here to bet
Pereira – 1.75
Draw 26.00
Prochazka – 2.25
PREDICTION:
I believe that Pereira the favourite, will be too strong and he will win the bought by TKO in round 3.
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BRIAN ORTEGA vs DIEGO LOPES
Featherweight Co-Main Event:
Brian Ortega is an American fighter who fights with a well-balanced style and he has nearly a decade of UFC experience to his name. Despite being in the UFC since 2014, he hasn’t fought too often but he has built a decent career record of 8 wins, 3 losses and 1 no contest.
He has only fought once since he lost to Yair Rodriguez by TKO in round 1 in 2022, however his most recent fight was also against Rodriguez, where Ortega won the revenge bout by submission in round 3 back in February.
Diego Lopes, fighting out of Brazil is a fighter known for his effective striking and wresting on the canvas. He is relatively new to the UFC, with just 4 fights. After losing his debut fight, he quickly turned his form and he has won his next 3 fights.
The last time he fought was at UFC 300, where he clashed with Sodiq Yussuff and impressively made light work of his opponent, winning the fight by TKO in round 1.
BETTING – click here to bet
Ortega – 2.25
Draw 26.00
Lopes – 1.70
PREDICTION:
The Brazilian Lopes is a worthy favourite and I believe he will win this bout by decision.
ANTHONY SMITH vs ROMAN DOLIDZE
Light Heavyweight Fight:
Anthony Smith is a UFC veteran who has fought 21 times since 2016. He is known as a dangerous grappler and several of his fights have gone to decision over his career. He has lost 3 of his last 5 fights, however he won his last fight against Vitor Petrino by round 1 submission.
Roman Dolidze is a Georgian fighter who can pack a heavy punch. He has fought 9 times in the UFC, winning 6 of these fights, with 4 of his 6 wins being by TKO/KO and 2 by decision. He was on a good run prior to his last 2 fights, which he has lost consecutively with his most recent bout being a decision loss to Nassourdine Imavov earlier this year.
BETTING – click here to bet
Smith – 2.15
Draw 26.00
Dolidze – 1.70
PREDICTION:
Despite Dolidze losing his 2 most recent fights, I will back the favourite (once again) to get the job done and he will win by decision.
SUGGESTED BETS:
Pereira vs Prochazka
Pereira by KO at 21/20 (for a bigger price Pereira to win in round 3 at 11/1)
Ortega vs Lopes
Lopes by decision at 33/10
Smith vs Dolidze
Dolidze by decision at 23/10
Note: Prices correct at time of writing but subject to change.
