UFC 303 witnessed some of the craziest fights in UFC history, but the main event between Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka topped it all. The ‘Poatan’ greatly impressed the fight fans with his fight IQ as he took down ‘Denisa’ with a phenomenal kick to the head. While the entire world of mixed martial arts was busy discussing the impact of the Brazilian’s kick, Mike Tyson’s former coach, Teddy Atlas, claimed it was a well-calculated move.

Following the conclusion of UFC 303, Atlas shared a conversation with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto. Wherein, he revealed his opinion on the fight between Pereira and Prochazka. Surprisingly, he pointed out a move that even pros like Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier failed to notice.

Mike Tyson’s ex-coach commends Alex Pereira’s fight IQ

During the conversation with ESPN, the famed boxing coach broke down the kick that sent the ‘Czech Samurai’ tumbling down. He was left in complete awe of the Brazilian’s fighting prowess. The coach claimed that even a boxer can tell when a kick hurts. But Pereira’s gameplan was what impressed him the most. He pointed out that Prochazka didn’t expect his opponent to send forth a high kick, since he had his eyes and hands down to protect himself from a potential low kick. 

Atlas said, “But, he’s so smart, he’s so cerebral because he’s, he destroys your legs underneath. And then in the second round, I don’t know if anyone noticed that, where, where Jiri was putting his arms down for a low kick and it came high. A lot of people don’t, didn’t even see that.” He further pointed out how many of the fight fans simply noted the impact of the kick and not the intent. 

Even Rogan, Cormier, Chael Sonnen, and Dustin Poirier failed to take note of Pereira’s intentions. Without a doubt, it was a pretty dangerous weapon in the ‘Poatan’s arsenal. And Atlas knew it. He continued, “But that kick had the impact. Obviously, it’s a kick! It has impact from that just from the physical force of it. But he never saw it. His eyes and his hand were going low, because, like we say, ‘reputation perceives you’. Well, that reputation of the low kicks perceived him where he’s thinking so much about that. So, for me, that’s another weapon now.”

Despite praising the Brazilian mixed martial artist for his fight IQ, Mike Tyson’s former coach had a piece of crucial advice ready for the ‘Poatan’. Here’s what he had to say.

Pereira receives a piece of boxing advice

As the conversation continued, Atlas revealed that although Pereira was known for his dangerous left hook, his jabs were pretty good, too. The famed coach made a note that out of the two jabs that successfully landed on Prochazka, one damaged the ‘Czech Samurai’. He opined that the fighter’s technique was too good. However, the coach also had some advice for the Brazilian. 

Atlas claimed that if the ‘Poatan’ used the jabs to hide his legendary hooks, he might just land an unexpected hit on his opponents. He said, “And the only thing [I would advise him to do] is maybe use the jab to hide the hook a little bit, so the guys aren’t looking for the hook as much. But he disguises the hook anyway because he does it off the counter so sneakily, and just so well.”

What are your thoughts on Pereira’s high kick? Do you agree with what Tyson’s ex-coach had to say? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.