Jiri Prochazka claims magic, Brazilian shamans led Alex Pereira to victory in bizarre rant ahead of UFC 303

Pyrite stones are sooooo 2019.

These days, truly elite fighters — like UFC light heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira — are using Shamanics to manifest victory, which may explain why “Poatan” ran through former champion Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295 last year in New York City.

But is the Brazilian man enough to lay down his “magic” in their UFC 303 rematch?

“I think he believes a lot in help of spiritual things, yeah? And that’s something that I think he can’t fight without because I want to keep that in a clear line,” Prochazka told The MMA Hour. “Just the sport performance, pure performance, man versus man, and I think he doesn’t know how to fight without that because he used these things every time. So I think right now, I’m looking forward for that.”

Prochazka’s little wink after making those comments would suggest “spiritual things” may be a euphemism for … well, use your imagination.

“Everybody knows he is working with some Shamanics, with some Shamans, yeah? From his hometown and he believes in some spiritual help from them,” Prochazka continued. “I believe too, but I believe in the best performance, in human performance right here right now, without no magic, and let’s see if Alex still be work like that — because it’s working — but I believe in a clear way, and I will do that and I want to win by that way.”

Pereira is not the first UFC fighter to embrace Magic.

Prochazka agreed to rematch Pereira on short notice when Conor McGregor bailed on the June 29 headliner in Las Vegas because of a broken pinky toe. A victory for “BJP” could set up a potential trilogy, unless the promotion finally gives this lonely contender his overdue title shot.

LIVE! Watch UFC 303 PPV On ESPN+ Here!

’McGREGOR-FREE MAIN EVENT! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sat., June 29, 2024, without its biggest box office draw, Conor McGregor, after the Irish sports star delayed the “greatest comeback of all-time” because he broke his pinky toe (seriously). Coming the rescue once again is Light Heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira, agreeing to rematch former division champion, Jiri Prochazka, in the pay-per-view (PPV) main event. In UFC 303’s co-headliner, top-ranked Featherweight contender, Brian Ortega, will attempt to halt the rise of red-hot surging 145-pound prospect, Diego Lopes. UFC 303’s PPV main card (see it here) will also feature Anthony Smith vs. Roman Dolidze and Ian Garry vs. Michael “Venom” Page and so much more. It’s must-watch action! UFC 303 start time scheduled for 6 p.m. ET (Prelims) and 10 p.m. ET (PPV).