
It’s not exactly the grand reentry of Conor McGregor to boost UFC 303 to the lofty standards set by International Fight Week, but thanks once again to Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka a landmark PPV has been saved from utter ruin.
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The light heavyweight title rematch will headline while a litany of misadventures in the division have opened the door for a pivotal featherweight co-main event between Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes.
Here are some bold UFC 303 predictions
Alex Pereira (10-2) vs. Jiri Prochazka (30-4-1)
After saving the marquee for UFC 295, UFC 300, and now UFC 303 Alex Pereira should be getting stock in the company. His soon-to-be two-time opponent Jiri Prochazka should also have an appropriately padded investment portfolio.
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It’s been less than a year since this duo were promoted to headliners at Madison Square Garden and quite frankly not enough time has passed to expect something different this time around. Prochazka still relies on durability to wade through danger to force a brawl and the champion still has too much power and patience to survive that strategy.
Maybe it will last a bit longer this time but expect “Poatan” to add to his highlight reel.
Prediction: Pereira by KO, Round 3
Brian Ortega (16-3) vs. Diego Lopes (24-6)

If we’re talking about pure skill, Brian Ortega is among the best fighters in the entire sport of MMA. With a world class jiu-jitsu game, greatly improved striking, and unbelievable heart it’s hard to pick against “T-City.”
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But what that said, Ortega has accrued a massive amount of damage and injuries during his decade with the promotion. Diego Lopes may not be as skilled, but his aggressive style might just be what is needed to get the win.
Prediction: Lopes by Decision
Anthony Smith (37-19) vs. Roman Dolidze (12-3)

Anthony Smith, who through an interesting maze of injuries and drug test failures got the main card assignment, will be facing his own short notice replacement, Roman Dolidze. This matchup opened at near even odds for a reason: both men have a strong case on paper for getting the win.
Smith has hung around the top of the light heavyweight division for a reason with an often-overlooked submission game and a near inhuman level of toughness. Dolidze, even with the back-to-back losses hanging over his head, has proven to be an effective finisher with power during his middleweight campaign.
Much like every time Smith steps into the Octagon now, the deciding factor will center around how shopworn he is. If he can survive the early moments, his veteran saavy and grit can win over the judges.
Prediction: Smith by Decision
Mayra Buena Silva vs. Macy Chiasson

Mayra Buena Silva will make her first appearance since her unsuccessful bid at the vacant women’s bantamweight title at UFC 297. Macy Chiasson is hoping to get on her first win streak since 2021 after submitting Pannie Kianzad.
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Chiasson, who will be fighting at 135 pounds for only the second time, is huge for the bantamweight division and could give Silva fits due to her size. However, the chances that one of her long limbs gets caught in some sort of submission hold while attempting to bully the former strawweight seems too high to ignore.
Prediction: Silva by Submission, Round 2
Ian Garry vs. Michael Page
The UFC is banking on a striker’s delight between Bellator bred star Michael “Venom” Page and undefeated Ian Garry to open the pay-per-view portion of the event. As was the case with MVP’s UFC debut opponent Kevin Holland, the smart strategy would be giving the fans exactly what they don’t want and initiate wrestling and clinch work from the start.
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The problem is Page is difficult to slow up in the clinch and Garry is too good of a kickboxer to settle on that gameplan. It also will require an aggression that exposes him to Page’s signature counter striking. Garry could have success with leg kicks but Page’s ability to close the gap in a flash might be the X factor.
Prediction: Page by Decision
Complete UFC 303 Predictions and Odds
Main Card
- Alex Pereira (-162) vs. Jiri Prochazka (+136): Pereira by KO, Round 3
- Diego Lopes (-135) vs. Brian Ortega (+114): Lopes by Decision
- Anthony Smith (+120) vs. Roman Dolidze (-140): Smith by Decision
- Mayra Bueno Silva (-205) vs. Macy Chiasson (+170): Silva by Submission, Round 2
- Ian Machado Garry (-130) vs. Michael Page (+110): Page by Decision
Preliminary Card
- Joe Pyfer (-258) vs. Marc-Andre Barriault (+210): Pyfer by Decision
- Cub Swanson (+160) vs. Andre Fili (-192): Swanson by TKO, Round 3
- Charles Jourdain (-142) vs. Jean Silva (+120): Jourdain by Decision
- Payton Talbott (-105) vs. Yanis Ghemmouri (+675): Talbott by TKO, Round 2
- Michelle Waterson-Gomez (+164) vs. Gillian Robertson (-198): Waterson-Gomez by Decision
- Andre Arlovski (+225) vs. Martin Buday (-278): Buday by Decision
- Carlos Hernandez (+350) vs. Rei Tsuruya (-520): Tsuruya by Submission, Round 1
- Ricky Simón (-225) vs. Vinicius Oliveira (+185): Simon by Decision
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