The biggest point of discussion ahead of UFC 303 is whether light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira can use magic to win fights, as MMA is a very serious sport.
The discourse comes courtesy of light heavyweight title challenger and former champion Jiří Procházka, who publicly challenged Pereira ahead of their main event on Saturday, specifically requesting the Brazilian not to use “magic” and “spiritual things” so that they can instead fight “man to man.”
The request was made on “The MMA Hour” on Monday:
“I think he believes a lot in the help of spiritual things, yeah? And that’s something that I don’t think he can fight without, because I want to keep that in a clear line. Just the sports performance, pure performance, man versus man. I don’t think he knows how to fight without it, because he used those things every time. So I’m looking forward to it now.”
“Everyone knows he works with some shamans, right? From his hometown? He believes in some spiritual help from them. I believe too, but I believe in the best achievement, in human achievement here and now, without magic, and let’s Let’s see if Alex still works like that — because it works — but I believe in a clear way, and I will. I want to win that way.”
Pereira defeated Prochazka at UFC 295 in November to capture the vacant light heavyweight title and has since defended the belt against another former champion in Jamahal Hill at UFC 300.
One of the fastest rising UFC fighters in recent history, Pereira has indigenous ancestry in Brazil through the Pataxó tribe. He’s been very outspoken about his roots, particularly with the bow and arrow ritual he performs every time before entering the Octagon. He can be seen here taking his belt to a Pataxó reservation and dressing in traditional garb.
Procházka confirmed his suspicions on Wednesday during his UFC press conference. He claimed Pereira “can’t fight without” his pre-match spiritual rituals and asked again if they would “fight in a clear way”.
Pereira, unsurprisingly, shot him down during his own press conference:
“Well, everyone has their own mind, we are not just flesh and bones. I found mine. If he hasn’t found his or if he doesn’t believe, it’s not my fault.”
In fact, what we are dealing with here is the rare accusation of performance-enhancing spirituality.
However they got there, Pereira and Procházka are expected to put on an entertaining fight, which should make up for the disappointment of Conor McGregor withdrawing from his previously scheduled main event against Michael Chandler due to a broken toe. The former champions showed up on two weeks’ notice to save the card.
But did Pereira get help?
