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Exclusive – Jiri Prochazka ready to ‘realize the mastery’ in UFC 300 return against Aleksandar Rakic

Following his loss to Alex Pereira in November, Jiri Prochazka was determined to get back inside the Octagon as…

Following his loss to Alex Pereira in November, Jiri Prochazka was determined to get back inside the Octagon as fast as possible, regardless of opponent.

On April 13, ‘Denisa’ will look to climb back into the title picture at 205 when he meets No. 5 ranked contender Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 300 in Las Vegas. The fight will come five months removed from Prochazka’s devastating second-round knockout at the hands of ‘Poatan’ at the promotion’s 30th-anniversary event last year in Madison Square Garden.

Speaking with Mike Owens in a LowKick MMA exclusive interview, Prochazka — the division’s No. 2 ranked contender — explained that after coming up short in his last outing, he was eager to climb back in the cage. Rakic just happened to be the fighter who was ready, willing, and able to serve as the former champ’s dance partner on fight night.

“I don’t care about what the right fight is for me,” Prochazka said. “I wanted to be back as soon as possible and Alexander was the first one who was free from the top five guys at light heavyweight. So I called him about the fight.”

Jiri Prochazka (@jiri_bjp) joins @LowKick_MMA reporter, @MikeOwensMedia ahead of his return at #UFC300, previewing his fight with @rakic_ufc — as well as reflecting on his battle with @AlexPereiraUFC in November.

Full Interview – https://t.co/ur31LNbuhM pic.twitter.com/9yw76Zl83n

— LowKickMMA.com (@LowKick_MMA) February 6, 2024

Jiri Prochazka Dubs Aleksandar Rakic a ’50/50 Fighter’

Aleksandar Rakic will be looking to bounce back after suffering a leg injury in the third round of his May 2022 clash with Jan Blachowicz. They were scheduled to run it back at UFC 297 last month, but Blachowicz underwent shoulder surgery, forcing him out of the bout.

‘Rocket’ goes into the contest with a 14-3 overall record, 6-2 under the UFC banner. Rakic has established himself as a bit of a knockout artist in his career, finishing nine of his opponents via KO, including Devin Clark and Jimi Manuwa inside the Octagon.

“He’s a 50/50 fighter,” Prochazka said of his UFC 300 opponent. “He’s a good wrestler. A really strong guy I think. His standup is not the best, but like I said, he’s 50/50. Good striker. Good wrestler and I’m ready for both.”

Prochazka’s loss to Alex Pereira snapped a 13-fight win streak dating back to 2016. It was also his first fight in 17 months, but ‘Denisa’ is making no excuses for his performance. Instead, he sees it as another opportunity to evolve his skill set and put his MMA mastery on display in his next outing.

“I want to realize the mastery,” he said. “Not just in the training. Not just in the daily life. Repeat, repeat. Be better. Be better, but in the cage. To show it in the cage. That’s what I want to show.”

Watch the full exclusive interview with Jiri Prochazka below:

Jiri Prochazka makes offer to fight Aleksandar Rakic in Octagon return at UFC 299 in Miami

Former undisputed light heavyweight champion, Jiri Prochazka has offered to step-in for fellow former titleholder, Jan Blachowicz in a…

Former undisputed light heavyweight champion, Jiri Prochazka has offered to step-in for fellow former titleholder, Jan Blachowicz in a clash with the returning, Aleksandar Rakic – offering the Austrian-born contender a showdown at UFC 299 in March of next year in Miami, Florida.

Prochazka, a former undisputed light heavyweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 295 at the beginning of last month, suffering a second round TKO loss to former middleweight kingpin, Alex Pereira in the pair’s vacant light heavyweight title showdown at Madison Square Garden.

As for Rakic, the current number five ranked contender has yet to feature since he suffered a third round TKO due a brutal knee injury suffered against the aforenoted Pole, Blachowicz in the pair’s main event clash back in May of last year.

And slated to return to the Octagon on the main card of UFC 297 in January, Rakic was booked to take on Blachowicz in a rematch on the Canada card, however, the latter has been forced from the re-run through injury, and is set for surgery.

Weighing up a quickfire return to the Octagon following a recent welcome to Khamzat Chimaev to make a stunning light heavyweight divisional leap, Czech Republic favorite, Jiri Prochazka offered to fight Rakic in an all-European outing – receiving a slew of responses from the latter.

“You said February or March,” Aleksandar Rakic replied to Jiri Prochakza. “I accepted and offered you February 17th. Now you’ve gone quiet. Where’s your Samurai code now? Sign the contract, big boy, sign the contract. @jiri_bjp.”

Jiri Prochazka suggests UFC 299 for fight with Aleksandar Rakic

Suggesting a rescheduled pairing at UFC 299 in March – which currently features a bantamweight title main event rematch between Sean O’Malley, and former-foe, Marlon Vera, Prochazka welcomed the chance to compete in ‘The Sunshine State’.

“March 9 Miami?” Jiri Prochakza posted on his official X account.

Who wins in a future clash: Jiri Prochazka or Aleksandar Rakic?

Jan Blachowicz is out of UFC 297 rematch with Aleksandar Rakic, will undergo shoulder surgery

Jan Blachowicz is officially out of his UFC 297 rematch with Aleksandar Rakic. The former light heavyweight announced on…

Jan Blachowicz is officially out of his UFC 297 rematch with Aleksandar Rakic.

The former light heavyweight announced on social media that a shoulder injury sustained while training has forced him to bow out of the January scrap. He will undergo surgery to repair the damage.

“It wasn’t supposed to be this way,” Blachowicz wrote on Instagram. “It’s hard to express how I feel because it’s a mixture of anger and sadness. Withdrawing from a fight due to injury is one of the most difficult decisions a fighter can make. However, sometimes there is no other option, especially when you are competing in the top five and want to put on a show at the highest possible level.

“Instead of fighting for the best shape, I fight with the pain during every training session. I did everything I could, but my shoulders need surgery. In this state, continuing preparations and entering the Octagon would be irresponsible and stupid.

“I always say that when I go into a fight, I must be 100 percent ready. I owe it to myself, my coaches, my opponent and, above all, the fans. Thank you in advance for your support! I am waiting for the date of surgery, after which rehabilitation and return to training will follow. I promise I will come back stronger!”

It’s an undeniably disappointing turn of events for Blachowicz who was intent on returning to the win column following his split decision loss against new light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira, in July.

Aleksandar Rakic calls for jiri prochazka to replace jan blachowicz at UFC 297

In response to the new, Aleksandar Rakic wasted no time calling on former 205-pound titleholder Jiri Prochazka to step in and take Blachowicz’s spot.

“You can never lose a rematch when you pull out for the second time. Legendary bullsh*t,” Rakic wrote. “Let’s see if the samurai has the balls to step up on Jan. 20th.”

You can never lose a rematch when you pull out for the second time. Legendary Bullshit.

Let's see if the Samurai has the balls to step up on Jan 20th. @Mickmaynard2 @danawhite

— Aleksandar Rakic (@rakic_ufc) December 7, 2023

Prochazka gladly accepted the offer, but with him being less than a month removed from a second-round knockout loss to Alex Pereira, ‘Denisa’ is unable to make the relatively quick turnaround that Rakic is requesting. However, Prochazka did counter with an offer to meet the Austrian standout in February or March.

“I am in, but the earliest time I can be in octagon is February/March,” Prochazka wrote. “Accept?”

With Aleksandar Rakic still keen on keeping his January slot, it remains to be seen if the UFC pursues another opponent for ‘Rocket’ or pushes his next appearance back to accommodate Prochazka’s recovery.

Emanating from the mysterious land of Toronto, Canada, UFC 297 will feature two massive world title fights, including the first defense of newly minted middleweight champion Sean Strickland. ‘Tarzan’ puts his 185-pound crown on the line against No. 2 ranked contender Dricus Du Plessis in the evening’s main event.

In the co-main event, Mayra Bueno Silva and Octagon veteran Raquel Pennington will battle it out for the vacant women’s bantamweight title.

Aleksandar Raki?: Chael Sonnen Was Right About Vince McMahon

In a somewhat surprising turn of events, UFC light heavyweight Aleksandar Raki? has cited the words of ‘Uncle Chael Sonnen’ in response to Vince McMahon’s WWE return. Last July, McMahon’s lengthy tenure as the leading man in professional wrestling came to an end amidst a host of allegations. The 77-year-old gave up the immense power…

Continue Reading Aleksandar Raki?: Chael Sonnen Was Right About Vince McMahon at MMA News.

Exclusive | Aleksandar Rakic believes Jon Jones is “going to do good at heavyweight, if he’s going to fight ever again”

Aleksandar Rakic is hesitant to offer his thoughts on Jon Jones moving to the heavyweight division. The former UFC light heavyweight world champion ‘Bones’ Jones had vacated his title years ago saying that he was moving to heavyweight but has yet to make his debut. It is rumored that the UFC is putting together a […]

In an exclusive interview with James Lynch for Low Kick MMA, the top-ranked light heavyweight ‘Rocket’ Aleksandar Rakic commented:

“How long he’s [been] bulking? Two, three years? That’s too much. He did a great job and did great things in the light heavyweight division. The heavyweight division is of course a little bit different.”

Jon Jones at heavyweight?

The Austrian-born Rakic has faith that Jon Jones could perform well if he moves to heavyweight. He continued:

“But this guy, it doesn’t matter what he’s doing, this guy is intelligent in fighting. And his fight IQ is very good. I think he’s going to do good at heavyweight, if he’s going to fight ever again. I’m going to believe when I see it.“

See the full interview below:

Jon Jones created an incredible legacy at light heavyweight. He defeated generations of former champions and contenders during his reign. He never lost the belt in the Octagon. Issues outside the cage would plague ‘Bones’ but inside the UFC his talents put him among the all-time greats in the history of MMA.

Aleksandar Rakic is still an active fighter and highly ranked in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. Most recently, he defeated Anthony Smith and Thiago Santos before losing due to an unfortunate injury against Jan B?achowicz.

Exclusive | Aleksandar Rakic gives his pick Jiri Prochazka vs. Glover Teixeira 2: “Some guys are never coming back after a war.”

The top-ranked light heavyweight Aleksandar Rakic recently sat down with James Lynch for an exclusive interview with Low Kick MMA. The Austrian-born fighter discussed the upcoming UFC light heavyweight world championship rematch between Jiri Prochazka and Glover Teixeira. While speaking to Low Kick MMA, Rakic commented on their first fight, he said: “This was a […]

While speaking to Low Kick MMA, Rakic commented on their first fight, he said:

“This was a crazy fight, the first [match]. I feel really sorry for Glover because it was like, what, thirty seconds before ending the fight. He was already winning that. But MMA, this sport is so crazy.”

The UFC title matches have seen an increase in the trend of one fighter winning much of the fight then getting finished in the final round. Aleksandar Rakic continued:

“We had this the last couple of times; Adesanya – Pereira, Usman – Leon, now Jiri – Glover. You need to be focused all five rounds.”

Aleksandar Rakic discusses Jiri Prochazka vs Glover Teixeira II

Earlier this year, Jiri Prochazka and Glover Teixeira went to war for the UFC light heavyweight title in a highly exciting clash. These two fighters are booked for a title rematch at UFC 282 on December 10.

Aleksandar Rakic made his pick, he said:

“But, in my opinion, for the second fight I think Jiri is going to win again. Because those wars, what those two had, this feeling, that fight is going to follow you for a couple of years. And some guys are never coming back after a war. Again, Jiri will take this better than Glover because of the age … I think Jiri is going to win this fight maybe by knockout or TKO.”

See the full interview below: