Saturday’s previously scheduled main event may have been derailed by the littlest piggy, but that doesn’t mean UFC 303 doesn’t still have plenty to offer for fight fans.
After Conor McGregor’s broken pinky toe caused the cancellation of the former double champion’s fight against Michael Chandler, the UFC went into event-saving mode. And while the new headliner for Saturday’s card may not be of the caliber as the biggest star in the sport making his return after nearly three years out of the Octagon, there will at least be a championship belt on the line.
[Related: How to watch UFC 303 without ESPN+ or cable]
UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira (10-2, 8 KOs) agreed to run it back with former champion Jiří Procházka (30-4, 26 KOs) on Saturday (10 p.m. ET, ESPN+ PPV) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. And just like that, the show will go on. The two met in the cage previously at UFC 295 in November with Pereira claiming the vacant light heavyweight title with a second-round TKO.
The co-main event features fan favorite Brian Ortega against rising prospect Diego Lopes in a lightweight fight. The bout was originally supposed to go down at featherweight, but was changed last minute to a 155-pounds after Ortega couldn’t make the cut down to 145.
Follow our live blog below for all of the results, highlights and analysis from fight night with Yahoo Sports:
Julianna Peña screaming advice to Carlos Hernandez from the front row at #UFC303: Youre the heaviest person in the world right now.
Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) June 29, 2024
Hernandez came super to close to getting caught a twister in the second round! Tsuruya’s showing some elite talent on the mat.
The early prelim action continues with the flyweights Rei Tsuruya vs @Carlows25[ #UFC303 is LIVE now on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/jj4vYDRPvP
UFC (@ufc) June 29, 2024
Made this one look easy tonight @LokdogVinicius is going home with a UD victory! #UFC303 pic.twitter.com/YwaBsLh6vH
UFC (@ufc) June 29, 2024
The Brazilian outlanded Simon in every category and looked good doing it! Fight goes the distance, but Oliveira should hear his name called.
Simon’s leg check really hurt Oliveira, who cruised through the first two rounds until getting hobbled by the perfectly timed defensive maneuver. Oliveira is clearly hurt as the third round begins.
Most bet (tickets) #UFC303 props at @BetMGM1. Alex Pereira by KO/TKO or DQ (-105)2. IM Garry by Decision/Technical Decision (+125)3. Jiri Prochazka by Submission (+1000)4. Alex Pereira by Submission (+1800)5. Michael Page by KO/TKO or DQ (+450) pic.twitter.com/nidei4nbx9
John Ewing (@johnewing) June 29, 2024
#UFC303 pic.twitter.com/Yw0KBiHBcl
Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) June 29, 2024
First up on the early prelims, a bantamweight fight between Ricky Simon and Vinicius Oliveira.
#UFC303 early prelims are NOW LIVE on @ESPNPlus and @UFCFightPass! Simon vs Oliveira is coming up first pic.twitter.com/giJ8E6VWVX
danawhite (@danawhite) June 29, 2024
Welcome to Yahoo Sports and our live coverage of UFC 303! We may not be getting the return of Conor McGregor tonight, but we’ll still have live updates for the entire card including the main event rematch between UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka.
You know what time it is #UFC303 STARTS RIGHT NOW![ Tune in now LIVE on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/3TnW0BpCyx
UFC (@ufc) June 29, 2024