‘This is real’ — Dana White reacts to Alex Pereira shaman magic accusations | UFC 303

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

One of the bigger — and certainly more surprising — narratives of the UFC 303 fight week has been black magic.

For the second time, “Czech Samurai” Jiri Prochazka will go to war with Alex Pereira, the power-punching kickboxer turned UFC double champ. “Poatan” won their first match last year via second-round knockout in mildly controversial fashion, but really, nobody needs much selling on the idea of a rematch. It’s nearly guaranteed to be a great fight, brutal stoppage, or both.

Prochazka, however, has a unique reason to be unsatisfied with the first bout. According to a bizarre rant from “BJP,” Pereira is using Shaman magic to help him win fights, which is bad form. Prochazka requested that Pereira stop doing so and fight him on more honest terms, but the champion denied his request.

What does UFC CEO Dana White think about all this black magic, shaman, and witchcraft talk? Surprisingly, he loves it! White believes this unexpected turn in the discussion serves as a great demonstration of authenticity from Prochazka and Pereira.

It’s not some silly WWE plotline.

“I love that s—t though. When Jiri found out about the fight, apparently he goes into a shed for three days. No water, no food, no nothing,” White explained (via Curtis Calhoun). “Prays, meditates, whatever he does. His coach went and banged on the door, told him this fight was available, and he said something to the effect of ‘If this is what the universe wants’. So he’s that dude!

“So he sees him doing the Shaman stuff … witchcraft, black magic, it’s just another reason that this fight is so f—king awesome. This is real, this isn’t fabricated bulls—t when someone wants to come out with a gimmicky wrestling-type thing. This is who these two guys really f—king are, man, this is what makes people really love [the UFC]. You know when someone is authentic, as opposed to some bulls—t f—king wrestling s—t.”

Insomnia

Payton Talbott offers his opponent some rather specific advice.

It’s not the safest career path, but Jessica Andrade deserves serious respect for routinely jumping up to 125 lbs. and challenging the division’s hottest up-and-comers.

The heavily rumored match up between Kevin Holland and Jared Cannonier doesn’t sound like it’s happening.

Tito Ortiz vs. the English language clips never stop being funny.

Vindication for Dustin Poirier’s silly gilly?

Some people are upset about this clip because it shows the beef between Ian Garry and Michael Page isn’t that serious, which always strikes me as a sad reason to care about a match up.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

THIS is how you punish an opponent for trying to circle off! Great example of cutting off the cage rather than following.

Being the taller, lankier fighter means that naked shots at distance rarely go well.

Murilo Rua could always be counted upon to throw down.

Random Land

Nightmarish.

Midnight Music: Hip-hop, 1992

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.

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).

Don’t miss a single second of EPIC face-punching action!