Alex Pereira entered UFC 313 as the reigning light heavyweight champion, as he was all geared up to defend his throne against Magomed Ankalaev in one of the year’s most anticipated fights. The fight at T-Mobile Arena was a hard five-round struggle where Pereira started strong with his signature leg kicks, but Ankalaev’s unrelenting pressure and well-rounded striking changed the game. By the end of the bout, it was obvious that a new champion would be crowned. Despite the chaos and competition, one moment following the fight stole the show. In fact, it forced longtime rival Jamahal Hill to express words of support for ‘Poatan.’ So, what was the moment, and what did ‘Sweet Dreams’ say?
Well, after the fight, ESPN shared a clip on their Instagram where Pereira can be seen in a rare emotional state, embracing his sons backstage after the loss of his title. The Brazilian heavyweight, famed for his stoicism, revealed a different side that appealed to both fighters and fans. So, it was not a surprise that many fans showed their support for the Brazilian in the comments. However, among the numerous comments, one stuck out. Why? Because it came from none other than Pereira’s rival, Jamahal Hill. Regardless of their past, Hill’s kind words truly stunned many.
“The example he has set for them is bigger than any title or fight he has ever won. Respect ,” Hill wrote in the comments of the video. The statement drew immediate attention, as Hill had previously been one of Pereira’s most outspoken critics. Their rivalry had been fueled by controversy, as ‘Sweet Dreams’ had previously accused ‘Poatan’ of breaking the rules during their UFC 300 fight, blaming his knockout loss on Pereira’s tactics.
But in this moment, the bitterness seemed to fade, replaced by a rare display of respect between two fighters who had previously shared the Octagon. Despite losing the title, Alex Pereira remains adamant that rankings don’t matter—he’s ready to fight anyone. Meanwhile, Jamahal Hill‘s reaction to Pereira’s loss makes it unclear whether this represents a shift in their dynamic or just a temporary moment of sportsmanship. But while this formal rival has probably turned a new page, the same cannot be said about Jiri Prochazka.
Jiri Prochazka offers to fight Alex Pereira yet again
Jiri Prochazka made his presence known even before Alex Pereira entered the Octagon to face Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313. In a fiery tweet, the former light heavyweight champion reminded the world—and especially the Brazilian knockout artist—that he was still in the mix. “I wish you a great fight, both of you, and don’t forget, I’m coming,” Prochazka said, fueling rumors about his next move in the division. And now, following Alex Pereira’s defeat, the Czech fighter wasted no time in making his intentions clear.
Shortly after Magomed Ankalaev was named the new champion, Prochazka took to social media to let his thoughts and future plans be known. First, ‘The Czech Samurai’ praised Ankalaev, albeit in a backhanded manner, acknowledging the Russian’s unrelenting pressure during the fight while downplaying its appeal to fans. But what stuck out was his challenge to Pereira. “Last dance?” he added, expressing his eagerness for a third confrontation with ‘Poatan.’ Despite back-to-back losses against the Brazilian, Jiri Prochazka remains unfazed, keen to complete unfinished business before going for the title yet again.
While Prochazka has a solid claim to the title, as he currently sits at the second spot on the rankings, his focus appears to be on Pereira rather than Magomed Ankalaev. Given their history, a trilogy bout makes sense—both as a personal battle for redemption and as a major fight for the division. However, for now, it is unclear whether ‘Poatan’ will accept the challenge so soon after losing his belt, but Prochazka has made one thing clear: he’s not going anywhere. What do you think? Will we get to see a fight between the two? Let us know in the comments.
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