2. Jiri Prochazka vs Alex Pereira 2 (UFC 303)
Everyone knows what makes Alex Pereira vs Jiri Prochazka 2 a spectacular fight — such an entertaining fight, in fact, that many will question why I have it at second on this list of best fights of the week instead of first. There are three main reasons. First of all is the short notice nature of the matchup. Although they fought before, are thus familiar with each other, and have prepared for each other, Jiri and Poatan would still perform better with a full camp, I think there can be no doubt about that.
Second is just that this is a rematch. We have already seen this fight before, less than a year ago. Though it was good, it did not blow our socks off with action. We know somewhat what to expect, whereas the top fight on this list is one that is wide open and has many unknown dynamics which could play a part between an aging — but still elite — legend of the sport and a potential future GOAT. With fighters like that, it is hard to put Jiri and Alex far above them for a third reason, the skill level of the fight. Jiri and Alex are both great champs today and extraordinary to watch, but in terms of ability are not the absolute best that combat sports has to offer given their obvious weaknesses, whereas our number one fight on the list is. Maybe in kickboxing for Pereira it would be different, but we cannot ignore his wrestling weakness to make him seem better than he is simply because he is a likable champion.
However, of course being a likable champ is no accident. To get to the pinnacle of popularity, Poatan had to entertain fans numerous times and build one of the all-time great knockout reels. He scored one last time he faced off with the Czech Samurai, Jiri Prochazka, but Jiri is not easy to put away as Aleksander Rakic found out to his dismay recently, and if he can drag the double champ into deep waters then his chaotic, high-paced, nonstop offense may be able to drown Pereira. Jiri has only been in the UFC for five-fights but has already put on multiple legendary fights, including a surefire Hall of Fame fight against Glover Teixeira. The man who gets into a dirty, chaotic war every time against the man who ices everyone he faces with the cleanest of technical abilities. For the second time. May the best man win. And if the best man is Jiri Prochazka, then may they face off one more time, at the end of the year.
-Val Dewar
