Alex Pereira wasn't going to let a minor foul get in the way of another highlight-reel finish.
“Poitan” retained his light heavyweight title with a brutal first-round knockout of Jamahal Hill in the main event of UFC 300 on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. While adding another knockout to his resume is nothing new for Pereira, the circumstances of this knockout definitely raised some eyebrows.
First, Pereira was seen shaking off referee Herb Dean as the referee tried to intervene after Hill kicked a low kick that appeared to have made contact with Pereira's groin. A few seconds later, Pereira dropped Hill with his left hand and finished him with a punch to the ground.
So why didn't Pereira allow the match to be stopped when he was illegally attacked? He just didn't want to break his flow.
“I was starting to find my distance,” Pereira said in the evening's post-match press conference through a Portuguese interpreter. “He started using his leg kicks from the beginning to get a sense of distance. He’s a southpaw, so it’s a little difficult.
“My game plan was to start throwing hands after that, so he threw a groin shot, but it didn't hurt that much, so I just kept pushing so I didn't have to reset the distance. Let’s take advantage of this moment.”
The victory extended Pereira's winning streak to three fights and added a new chapter to his unique MMA career, which saw him rise from two-division Glory kickboxing champion to two-division UFC champion in less than four years. At UFC 295, Pereira defeated Jiri Prochaska to win the light heavyweight belt that Hill had vacated due to injury.
While Hill was on the shelf, he continued to have the title in his sights and made frequent offers to fight for it upon his return. Tensions between Pereira and Hill reached a climax at a press conference last Thursday, when Hill smashed a stone head, a well-known symbol of Pereira's brand.
In response to the insult, Pereira struck a celebratory pose that quickly went viral.
“I talked to my team before and I would like to fight five rounds, but if I get knocked out, that's what I would do,” Pereira said. “His attitude wasn't very good. He started showing respect during the week and then did the same thing during press conferences and weigh-ins, so honestly that's all I can do for him. was.”
Another aspect of the matchup that was intriguing was Pereira's close friendship with coach Glover Teixeira, the fighter Hill defeated in January 2023 to become UFC light heavyweight champion. Pereira and Hill memorably glared at each other inside the cage after Hill's victory that night. But Pereira insists he had no intention of avenging the loss of his friend when he entered the cage at UFC 300.
“No, I came here focused to fight him,” Pereira said. “I don't have revenge, I don't have anything in my head. I believe that if you take things too seriously, you end up ruining it. That's why I think Jamahal fought Grover so far.” I came here as if nothing had happened.”
