Jiri Prochazka claims Alex Pereira ‘can’t fight without spiritual things’ ahead of intense rematch at UFC 303

After the Brazilian dropped ‘The Last Samurai’ in the second round, referee Marc Goddard intervened and stopped the fight, leading to an element of controversy as many believed it was an early stoppage.

Nevertheless, Prochazka will get the chance for revenge in a late rematch next Saturday after Conor McGregor withdrew from his scheduled main event against Michael Chandler.

Jiri Prochazka believes Alex Pereira ‘can’t fight’ without ‘spiritual things’

Both light heavyweights competed in the UFC’s milestone 300 event, as ‘Poatan’ successfully defended his title against former champion Jamahal Hill, and Prochazka finished the returning Aleksandar Rakic.

Ahead of their rematch, Prochazka admitted that he respects Pereira’s way of life, learning that he is a “warrior” during their first meeting.

“He’s a true warrior who lives his way, his warrior way, that’s something I like about him,” Prochazka began on The MMA Hour.

“I remember that from the fight, and before the fight, and I learned a lot from these moments and right now it’s about using that, especially when I saw him before his fight (against Jamahal Hill),” added Prochazka to it.

The 31-year-old challenger admitted that he learned during his UFC 300 fight against Hill that Pereira “can’t fight” without “spiritual things.”

“I saw how he worked against Jamahal and after the fight against Jamahal. I don’t want to be bad about it (by saying this), but I think he believes a lot in the help of spiritual things, and that’s something I don’t think he can live without, because I want to keep that clear.

“Just the sports performance, pure performance, man to man, but I think he doesn’t know how to fight without it because he used these things every time, so I think I’m looking forward to that now,” the former champion claimed.

Jiri Prochazka believes that ‘human achievement’ will prevail

The 36-year-old Brazilian has become one of the UFC’s biggest stars, and that’s largely due to his personality outside the Octagon, as well as his emphatic performances inside.

‘Poatan’ has indigenous roots and he is often seen at weigh-ins wearing tribal face paint and a headdress, representing his tribe.

“Everyone knows that he works with some shamanists, some shamans from his hometown, and he believes in some spiritual help from them.

“I also believe, but I believe in the best performance, in human performance here and now, without magic, and let’s see if Alex will still work like that, because it works, but I believe in a clear way, and that I will do too. that and that way I want to win,” Prochazka continued.

Although the 31-year-old believes the Brazilian cannot fight without spiritual help, he actually participates in an extremely unique spiritual ritual of his own before and after his fights.

A few months before accepting the late call-up to UFC 303, Prochazka endured another three days spent in a dark room with no food, only water. During the three days, the Czech fighter meditates and does pocket work, all in the dark.

“It was amazing, three and a half days without food, just you, water and training, spending time with your best ideas and best motivations, overcoming your fears, that’s it,” Prochazka explained.

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