LAS VEGAS – Conor McGregor will miss this Saturday’s fight because of a broken toe, a familiar fate for his replacement, Alex Pereira.
“Poitan” will defend his UFC light heavyweight title against Jiri Prochazka on short notice in the main event of UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. The championship fight was put together on just a few weeks’ notice after the main event between McGregor and Michael Chandler was cancelled due to the Irishman’s toe injury.
Interestingly, Pereira (10-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) defended the belt with a knockout victory over Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 in April, but he came into the bout with a broken toe. Some have criticized McGregor, while others have defended his decision not to fight.
Pereira, who had the same experience, shared his opinion on the matter.
“I can’t judge someone’s suffering, and there are different situations and scenarios,” Pereira said in Portuguese through a translator at UFC 303 media day on Wednesday. “He’s made the fame, he’s made the money. I’m still halfway there. In my situation, I fought with a broken toe, but if I was in his situation, I might not have fought, so I can’t judge.”
Pereira vs. Prochazka (30-4-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) will be a rematch between the two fighters who met in November at UFC 295. Pereira defeated Prochazka to win the vacant light heavyweight title. Since their first bout, the two have combined for victory since their first bout at UFC 300 in April, with Pereira defeating Jamahal Hill and Prochazka defeating Aleksandar Rakic.
For more on the card, check out MMA Junkie’s UFC 303 event hub.
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