Alex Pereira reacts to Jiri Prochazka accusing him of using "magic" to win fights: "We're not only made of flesh and bone"
Alex Pereira recently shared his reaction to Jiri Prochazka's accusation that he was using supernatural means to win fights. Pereira outlined that people are more than just "flesh and bone" while stating that he's found his spirit.
For context, Pereira and Prochazka are set to run it back for the second time in the main event of UFC 303 this weekend. Ahead of their highly anticipated showdown, 'Denisa' opened up about what he expected from his opponent and stated that he hoped the Brazilian would refrain from getting spiritual assistance from shamans.
Prochazka urged Pereira to fight without supernatural help and bring his best "human performance" to the fight. However, it appears Poatan plans to keep his pre-fight rituals the same.
During a recent pre-fight media day interview, Pereira addressed Prochazka's allegations. The UFC light heavyweight champion explained that he's comfortable with his spirituality and said:
“Everybody has their own spirits. We’re not only made of flesh and bone. I have found mine. If he has not found his, or he does not believe, it’s not my fault.”
Jiri Prochazka doubles down on claims about Alex Pereira using shamanic magic
Jiri Prochazka isn't backing down and recently doubled down on his claims about Alex Pereira using magic to win fights. 'Denisa' stated that "everybody can feel" the spiritual power that Pereira possesses and claimed the Brazilian couldn't fight without that form of help.
During a UFC 303 media scrum, Prochazka elaborated on the claims he made earlier and said:
"Yes, everybody knows that. He [Pereira] is doing these rituals before the fight. Everybody can feel that. What's around him and what's going on. And I think that Alex can't fight without that. So that's something [that] he uses normally in fighting. Let's see."
Prochazka continued:
"Right now this is my challenge to him, if we can fight in a clear way in this case. To be without [other] things, some...whatever. Let the higher power be there in the cage and see who's the best in the world. In the pure performance. That's all."
In their first fight at UFC 295, Pereira defeated Prochazka via second-round knockout and won the vacant light heavyweight championship. He later defended the title against Jamahal Hill at UFC 300, defeating 'Sweet Dreams' via first-round knockout.