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UFC 303: Prochazka & Pereira Debate Using 'Magic & Shamans' in Fights

Jiri Prochazka accuses Alex Pereira of using "shamans and rituals" to win UFC fights.

Mathew Riddle

Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

MMA is the sport that keeps on giving.

UFC 303: Jiri Prochazka Open to Alex Pereira Trilogy: ‘You Only Fight the Best'

Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka 1 was a clash for the ages at UFC 295, but the latter fighter believes external forces were at play in his TKO loss. On Ariel Helwani's The MMA Hour on June 25, Prochazka remarked that Pereira uses "magic and shamans" to win fights.

Everybody knows he is working with some shamans from his hometown," Prochazka exclaimed. "He believes in some spiritual help from them. I believe too, but I believe in the best performance, in the human performance right here right now without no magic."

UFC 303 Jiri & Alex debate shamans and magic
Prochazka vs. Pereira was a closely contested fight until the 2nd round stoppage. / Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

UFC 303 Full Fight Card Predictions: Pereira vs. Prochazka, Lopes vs. Ortega

Prochazka doubled down on his claims at the UFC 303 media day, saying, "Everyone knows that he's doing these rituals before the fight. Everybody can feel that --- what's around him... And I think Alex can't fight without that."

Pereira Responds to Prochazka

On the same media day, Pereira shot down Prochazka's claims by saying, "Everybody has their own spirits. We're not only made of flesh and bone. I have found mine, if he did not find his, or if he doesn't believe, it's not my fault."

Pereira finds his heritage in the ancient Brazilian Pataxó warrior tribe, which he represents heavily in daily life and in his fighting. The Pataxó were some of the first indigenous Brazilians to face the Portuguese in 1500, and they now gain visibility and respect vicariously through Pereira.

Pataxó Chieftan Ubiranan and the Pataxó people pray together for Pereira's success in his endeavors.

UFC 303: Israel Adesanya's Bold Pick for Pereira vs. Prochazka: ‘Someone’s Gonna Die'

Fans will get to see whether magic and shamans come into play this weekend at UFC 303.

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Mathew Riddle

MATHEW RIDDLE

Mathew is a UK-based combat sports journalist  and graphic designer. He joined MMAKO when it was first founded in 2023. Find his work on The Fight Fanatic & Heavy on UFC. He can be contacted on mr@thefightfanatic.com

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