Jiří Procházka accuses Alex Pereira of weaponizing spiritual forces, has ‘infinite’ confidence ahead of UFC 303

To many, Jiří Procházka might be the most mythical fighter on the UFC roster.

Known as ‘The Czech Samurai,’ he’s a devoted follower of the Bushido Code, a disciple of Miyamoto Musashi’s swordsman philosophy and styles his hair atop his head as an ode to Mongkhon, a traditional headgear worn by Muay Thai fighters.

“Once you accept the way of the warrior, then you have to accept the lifestyle of sharpening your body, your breathing, your focus — every single day, every minute, every second,” he told The Athletic on Monday.

But on Wednesday, Procházka said he fears he could be the one at a spiritual disadvantage entering his rematch against Alex Pereira for the light heavyweight title at UFC 303.

At UFC 303 media day, Procházka doubled down on a previous take that Pereira has weaponized shamanic rituals and spiritual forces to win fights. Procházka said on ‘The MMA Hour’ that Pereira cannot defeat him purely on a human level without the use of spiritual powers.

On Wednesday, Procházka challenged Pereira to fight “clear” this weekend.

“Everybody knows that he’s doing these rituals before the fight. Everybody can feel that, what’s around him and what’s going on. I think Alex can’t fight without that,” Procházka said. “That’s something he’s using normally in fighting. Let’s see, right now this is my challenge to him, if we can fight in a clear way. … Let the higher power be there in the cage to see who’s the best in the world, in the pure performance.”

PEREIRA vs PROCHAZKA! #UFC303 is LIVE SATURDAY on @ESPNPlus PPV! pic.twitter.com/MVXiqTgFJc

— danawhite (@danawhite) June 27, 2024

Pereira, who has indigenous ancestry from the Pataxó tribe in Brazil, didn’t deny Procházka’s claim.

“Well, everybody has their own spirits,” Pereira later said. “We’re not only made of flesh and bone. I’ve found mine.”

On Thursday, Pataxó leader Ubiranan told MMAFighting.com he and the Pataxó people will be coming together to pray for Pereira.

Chieftain Ubiranan and the Pataxó people will come together today to pray for Alex Pereira ahead of his UFC 303 title defense vs. Jiri Prochazka. pic.twitter.com/WwHt4OeOZI

— Guilherme Cruz (@guicruzzz) June 26, 2024

Procházka has been vocal about his moral code and spiritual lifestyle since breaking into the UFC in 2020 as one of the sport’s most peculiar powerhouses. With his unconventional footwork and unorthodox striking, he steamrolled through a shallow light heavyweight division and earned a title shot after knocking out Dominick Reyes with a highlight-reel spinning elbow.

“This is an ominous presence coming to you from the Czech Republic,” UFC commentator Paul Felder said as Reyes laid unconscious on the mat.

Procházka then defeated Glover Teixeira for the title in a last-minute thriller at UFC 275. He relinquished that belt five months later after a devastating shoulder injury ahead of his first title defense.

On Monday, he told The Athletic he has “infinite” confidence he’ll win the belt back in his second fight against Pereira. The pair’s first fight, at UFC 295, ended with Pereira flooring Procházka with a signature left hook and finishing him to win the vacant title.

“It’s what I’ve been working for all my career. I believe I deserve this position and it’s my time,” Procházka said of his confidence entering Saturday. “I have 100 percent — infinite percent — self confidence, yes. That’s something that I’m breathing for right now.”

That confidence was boosted in April when Procházka overcame an early storm from Aleksandar Rakić to knockout the light heavyweight contender and earn his title shot. Procházka was battered by a dozen-plus leg kicks in the first round of that bout, and spent the first two minutes of the second round limping into Rakić’s power shots.

But Procházka awoke with a razor right straight midway through the second round, showcasing the power that carried him to stardom. As Rakić stumbled across the cage, Procházka unloaded hooks, uppercuts and a brutal knee to floor the competitor.

“The fight with Aleksandar Rakić for me was really important,” Procházka told The Athletic. “I wanted to show the world that I am the number one contender and the champion of the light heavyweight division. And I know that performance against Aleksandar Rakić was not so pure, but was able to show my best, and I’ll show another performance with Alex Pereira. Every performance I believe will be enough for a win.”

Ahead of that second fight with Pereira, Procházka said he made changes throughout his life to ensure he’d avenge his only UFC loss to date.

“It’s not like something bigger, but it’s been personal things. Relationships, not just with other people but with myself,” he said.

“I made a change in a few things. Not just in my preparation but in my lifestyle. And that’s why I believe I will be the champion.”

As for a fight prediction, Procházka was fierce as always: “Win by knockout. Doesn’t matter when.”

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(Photo: Chris Unger / Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)