Prochazka: Pereira uses spiritual forces to win UFC fights

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka said Wednesday he believes spiritual rituals have led current champ Alex Pereira to success in the Octagon.

Prochazka, who faces Pereira in a 205-pound title rematch in the UFC 303 main event, challenged the Brazilian to fight in a "clear" manner Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

"Everybody knows that he's doing these rituals before the fight," Prochazka said at UFC 303 media day, courtesy of MMA Junkie. "Everybody can feel that - what's around him and what's going on. I think Alex can't fight without that. That's something (that) he uses normally in a fight.

"Right now, this is my challenge to him: if we can fight in a clear way in this case. … Let the higher power be there in the cage to see who's the best in the world. In the performance. In the pure performance."

Pereira, who has Indigenous roots with the Pataxo tribe in Brazil, responded to Prochazka's comments later Thursday.

"Well, everybody has their own spirits," Pereira said through an interpreter. "We're not only made of flesh and bone. I've found mine. If (Prochazka hasn't) found his, or he does not believe, it's not my fault."

Pereira knocked out Prochazka in the second round of their first fight at UFC 295 last November in New York. Both Pereira and Prochazka have picked up one victory since then, finishing Jamahal Hill and and Aleksandar Rakic, respectively.