Jiri Prochazka (left) and Alex Pereira )(right)(image via UFC / YouTube)

By Kelsey Mowatt

Jiri Prochazka came up short in his first bout with Alex Pereira. But, Israel Adesanya believes the outcome will be different when the light heavyweights fight on Saturday.

Pereira will look to defend the light heavyweight title against Prochazka in the headliner for UFC 303, which is taking place in Las Vegas. The two fought last November for the vacant belt and Pereira recorded a second-round, stoppage win.

More recently, Adesanya weighed-in on the fight via his YouTube channel. The former middleweight champ reported he’s picking Prochazka to take the rematch (quotes via MMA Fighting.com).

“I’m going to go Jiri, because we’re the chosen few,” Adesnaya said. “But also, I think he might have learned from his mistake, because people don’t understand, and it also makes things interesting — if [Jiri beats Alex] then it’s a trifecta, a trilogy, yeah.

“And I won’t be the only guy to knock this guy out. … I’m going to go Jiri, and I’m going to go by third-round, or fourth-round finish.”

Since the initial fight, Prochazka finished Aleksandar Rakic in April and Pereira knocked out Jamahal Hill that same month.

“The approach from both fighters will be different because they both know what could happen — Alex knows he can get taken down and controlled, and Jiri knows he can get knocked out,” Adesanya furthered. “But also, Alex knows he can get touched and hurt by Jiri. … [It will be a] more calculated [fight], slower, because also they are taking this on short notice. They’re both relatively fit, but again, five-round fit, that’s the one. I know it’s short notice, but five-round fit, that’s crazy.

Saturday’s rematch came together on short notice, as Pereira (10-2) and Prochazka (30-4-1) agreed to the contest earlier this month, after Conor McGregor was sidelined with a broken toe. McGregor had been booked to face Michael Chandler in the main event.

The June 29th card will be hosted by the T-Mobile Arena.