Tag: Jiri Prochazka

Ex-UFC champion Ji?í Procházka enters 3-day isolation without food or light ahead of next fight

Ex-UFC champion Ji?í Procházka enters three-day isolation without food or light ahead of next fightJi?í Procházka’s training methods are highly unusual, but you can’t argue with their results. Following his impressive second-round comeback…

Ex-UFC champion Ji?í Procházka enters three-day isolation without food or light ahead of next fight

Ji?í Procházka’s training methods are highly unusual, but you can’t argue with their results.

Following his impressive second-round comeback KO against Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 300, the former light heavyweight champion is already preparing for his next outing inside the Octagon. Taking to social media, ‘BJP’ revealed that he would undergo three days of complete isolation with no food or electricity of any kind — including light.

“3 days. No Light. No Food. Pure Focus. Pure Training. Preparation can start NOW,” Procházka wrote on X.

Jiri Prochazka

It’s nothing out of the ordinary for Procházka who has typically engaged in non-traditional training methods like using trees as heavy bags, traveling trails, and getting lost in the freezing mountains of Las Vegas for an incredible 18 hours.

Ji?í Procházka

Ji?í Procházka primed for rematch with alex pereira

No official announcement has been made regarding Ji?í Procházka’s next fight, but all signs point to it being a rematch with current 205-pound king Alex Pereira.

Jiri Procházka

Poatan’ scored a second-round knockout against Procházka at UFC 295 in November, claiming the vacant light heavyweight title. Since then, Pereira has bagged his first defense, dispatching another former champion — Jamahal Hill — in a matter of minutes at the promotion’s landmark event in April.

Pereira was expected to put his title on the line against Magomed Ankalaev, but with the Russian challenger wanting to push things off until the fall, Pereira is opting to stay busy, lobbying for a rematch with Procházka instead.

Jiri Prochazka ready to return for UFC title fight with Alex Pereira as early as June: ‘I will go for that’

Jiri Prochazka ready to return for UFC title fight with Alex Pereira as early as June: 'I will go for that'After delivering a couple of noteworthy knockouts at UFC 300, Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira appear to be on…

Jiri Prochazka ready to return for UFC title fight with Alex Pereira as early as June: 'I will go for that'

After delivering a couple of noteworthy knockouts at UFC 300, Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira appear to be on a collision course once again.

In November, ‘Poatan’ KO’d Prochazka in the second round of their headliner in MSG to win the vacant light heavyweight title. Since then, Pereira successfully defended his crown with a stellar first-round knockout of Jamahal Hill while ‘BJP’ put away Aleksandar Rakic with an insane come-from-behind finish in the landmark event’s featured prelim.

Jiri Prochazka

Those victories appear to have put Pereira and Prochazka on a path that will lead the two back to each other for a summertime scrap.

Speaking with James Lynch on behalf of Bodog Canada, Prochazka revealed that he has not heard anything from the promotion about a potential title opportunity, but he’ll be ready to go as early as June should the UFC decide to lock in the rematch.

“I didn’t heard anything,” Prochazka said. “I just said what I said in the cage after the fight — I want to be the next challenger for the title, and that’s something that is my opinion. Right now it’s up to the UFC, when they want to do this fight because I believe in my win and I will show I am able to take that belt and win in a fight with Alex Pereira.

“I’m waiting to settle this upcoming fight and I still don’t know who, if it will be Alex or who, but I believe the world wants to see that. The world wants to see this fight and I know I have the right weapons to defeat Alex Pereira” (h/t MMA Mania).

Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira

Alex Pereira would rather rematch Jiri Prochazka than wait for Magomed Ankalaev

Initially, it appeared as though Pereira’s next fight would be with streaking Russian standout Magomed Ankalaev.

Magomed Ankalaev

However, the Dagestani would prefer to wait until October when the UFC makes its annual pit stop in Abu Dhabi. ‘Poatan’ has no interest in waiting that long, making Jiri Prochazka a prime target for his next title defense.

“Perfect time for me right now is to take two, three weeks, just a little bit of rest,” Prochazka added. “Take some inspiration. And right now I know what to do in preparation [for] the next [fight], especially for a fight with Alex. But, it’s still about my manager to confirm that. I think about August. July, August, or something like that. October maybe. Doesn’t matter. For me it doesn’t matter.

“If they want for me to fight in some short way, I will do that. I will go for that. If [UFC 303 in June] would be accepted by Alex, I will do that. I will go that.”

Jiri Prochazka ready to return for UFC title fight with Alex Pereira as early as June: ‘I will go for that’

Jiri Prochazka ready to return for UFC title fight with Alex Pereira as early as June: 'I will go for that'After delivering a couple of noteworthy knockouts at UFC 300, Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira appear to be on…

Jiri Prochazka ready to return for UFC title fight with Alex Pereira as early as June: 'I will go for that'

After delivering a couple of noteworthy knockouts at UFC 300, Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira appear to be on a collision course once again.

In November, ‘Poatan’ KO’d Prochazka in the second round of their headliner in MSG to win the vacant light heavyweight title. Since then, Pereira successfully defended his crown with a stellar first-round knockout of Jamahal Hill while ‘BJP’ put away Aleksandar Rakic with an insane come-from-behind finish in the landmark event’s featured prelim.

Jiri Prochazka

Those victories appear to have put Pereira and Prochazka on a path that will lead the two back to each other for a summertime scrap.

Speaking with James Lynch on behalf of Bodog Canada, Prochazka revealed that he has not heard anything from the promotion about a potential title opportunity, but he’ll be ready to go as early as June should the UFC decide to lock in the rematch.

“I didn’t heard anything,” Prochazka said. “I just said what I said in the cage after the fight — I want to be the next challenger for the title, and that’s something that is my opinion. Right now it’s up to the UFC, when they want to do this fight because I believe in my win and I will show I am able to take that belt and win in a fight with Alex Pereira.

“I’m waiting to settle this upcoming fight and I still don’t know who, if it will be Alex or who, but I believe the world wants to see that. The world wants to see this fight and I know I have the right weapons to defeat Alex Pereira” (h/t MMA Mania).

Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira

Alex Pereira would rather rematch Jiri Prochazka than wait for Magomed Ankalaev

Initially, it appeared as though Pereira’s next fight would be with streaking Russian standout Magomed Ankalaev.

Magomed Ankalaev

However, the Dagestani would prefer to wait until October when the UFC makes its annual pit stop in Abu Dhabi. ‘Poatan’ has no interest in waiting that long, making Jiri Prochazka a prime target for his next title defense.

“Perfect time for me right now is to take two, three weeks, just a little bit of rest,” Prochazka added. “Take some inspiration. And right now I know what to do in preparation [for] the next [fight], especially for a fight with Alex. But, it’s still about my manager to confirm that. I think about August. July, August, or something like that. October maybe. Doesn’t matter. For me it doesn’t matter.

“If they want for me to fight in some short way, I will do that. I will go for that. If [UFC 303 in June] would be accepted by Alex, I will do that. I will go that.”

Alex Pereira distances himself from title fight with Magomed Ankalaev: ‘He’s going to have to wait a little bit’

Alex Pereira distances himself from fight with Magomed Ankalaev he's going to have to waitUFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira says he will be rematching Jiri Prochazka next time out. Pereira is coming…

Alex Pereira distances himself from fight with Magomed Ankalaev he's going to have to wait

UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira says he will be rematching Jiri Prochazka next time out.

Pereira is coming off his first title defense of his light heavyweight title as he knocked out Jamahal Hill in the first round at UFC 300. After the win, Magomed Ankalaev called out Alex Pereira and many assumed that would be the next fight.

Alex Pereira unsure if his legacy is better than Israel Adesanya's I won two title he tried to
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

However, speaking at a media scrum at UFC 301, Alex Pereira revealed it will be Prochakza who will be next for him.

“Breaking news,” Pereira said through an interpreter during a UFC 301 media scrum (h/t MMA Fighting). “I think if I wait for (Ankalaev vs. Prochazka), it will take too long. I want to fight earlier than that. And I think, as far as we know, most likely the next in line is going to be Prochazka. Ankalaev is going to have to wait a little bit. I know Jamahal Hill’s been talking some trash, but is also going to have to wait a little longer. I think Prochazka’s the next one.”

According to Pereira, he says Prochazka over Ankalaev comes down to him wanting to fight ASAP as Ankalaev was calling for the bout to happen in Abu Dhabi in October.

Magomed Ankalaev

“We told them when we want to fight,” Pereira said. “Nothing about nobody yet – we don’t know. But they said due to the time frame, most likely it’s going to be Prochazka. But anyone out there that wants to fight, we’ll go with it.”

Alex Pereira expecting a different Jiri Prochazka

Alex Pereira fought Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295 in November in Madison Square Garden as he scored a second-round knockout win to win the vacant title.

Although Pereira fought Prochazka not even a full year ago, he is expecting it to be a much different version of the Czech native.

Alex Pereira weighs up Manchester fight with Tom Aspinall at UFC 304 I'm there

“I don’t think he will show up too much of a different fighter because compared to my evolution that I’ve had in just a few MMA fights, he has over 20 fights,” Pereira said. “He’s been fighting for a long time. I think for every fighter, you get to that point that you start evolving less due to the mileage that you have in this game due to the amount of fights they have and experience. So I think I’m going to evolve more from the previous fight than he does.”

To earn the title shot, Prochazka scored a knockout win over Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 300.

UFC star Alex Pereira confirms plan to fight Jiri Prochazka in title rematch next, bout date in the works

Alex Pereira confirms plan to fight Jiri Prochazka in UFC rematch next bout date in the worksUndisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira has revealed plans are currently in place for him to defend his title…

Alex Pereira confirms plan to fight Jiri Prochazka in UFC rematch next bout date in the works

Undisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira has revealed plans are currently in place for him to defend his title in a championship rematch against former gold holder, Jiri Prochazka next, with the promotion working on a date to stage the bout.

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion and the incumbent kingpin at 205 pounds, headlined UFC 300 last month – defending that latter crown for the first time.

Alex Pereira rejects UFC 308 clash with Magomed Ankalaev in Abu Dhabi I want to fight sooner
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

Turning in a stunning first round victory, Sao Paulo knockout artist, Pereira stopped the returning former champion, Jamahal Hill with a blistering first round win, felling the Illinois native with a thunderous finish.

Alex Pereira targets UFC 308 homecoming fight at Madison Square Garden it makes total sense
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports

On that same main card, Czech Republic favorite, Prochazka landed an impressive second round win over fellow European star, Aleksandar Rakic in the pair’s long-anticipated grudge fight, rallying to finish the Serbian-born contender with a stunning knockout.

Alex Pereira confirms plan to rematch Jiri Prochazka next

And staking his claim for a title fight rematch with Pereira in the aftermath of his win at UFC 300 last month, it appears Prochazka is inching closer to seeing his wish fulfilled, with the Brazilian confirming a bout is in the works.

Jiri Prochazka urged against middleweight move He's borderline psychiatric he could do it
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports

“Alex Pereira just told us during a scrum in Rio that he’s likely fighting Jiri Prochazka next,” MMA Fighting reporter, Guilherme Cruz posted on his X account. “Still working on a date. Will have video soon over at @MMAFighting.” 

Headlining UFC 295 back in November of last year at Madison Square Garden, Pereira snatched the vacant light heavyweight title with a second round stoppage win over Prochazka, handing the former Rizin FF gold holder his first loss since his transition to the Octagon. 

3-0 since his move to the light heavyweight limit last July, Pereira, a GLORY Kickboxing Hall of Fame inductee turned in a decision victory over another former titleholder, Jan Blachowicz in his weight class bow in Salt Lake City at UFC 291.

Who do you think wins in a potential championship re-run: Alex Pereira or Jiri Prochazka?

Jiri Prochazka urged against drop to middleweight: ‘He’s borderline psychiatric, he could do it’

Jiri Prochazka urged against middleweight move He's borderline psychiatric he could do itFormer undisputed light heavyweight champion, Jiri Prochazka has been urged against a potential drop to the middleweight limit of…

Jiri Prochazka urged against middleweight move He's borderline psychiatric he could do it

Former undisputed light heavyweight champion, Jiri Prochazka has been urged against a potential drop to the middleweight limit of 185lbs by former divisional champion, Robert Whittaker – who described the Czech Republic native as “borderline psychiatric”.

Prochazka, a former undisputed light heavyweight champion, managed to land himself the number one rank at the divisional limit once more after UFC 300 earlier this month – turning in a stunning come-from-behind knockout win over fellow European talent, Aleksandar Rakic.

Jiri UFC 300 Zuffa LLC
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

And weighing up a potential rematch with former-foe, Alex Pereira in an attempt to reclaim light heavyweight championship spoils after his victory over Rakic, Prochazka also claimed if he wanted to pursue a middleweight move in the future, he could likely make weight without issue.

Robert Whittaker vows to flog next opponent in UFC return
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

However, the above-mentioned, Whittaker – who made the move from welterweight to middleweight where he found his stunning Octagon form en route to an undisputed title win, urged Prochazka away from a drop to 185lbs.

Jiri Prochazka urged to consider middleweight move

“I think he (Jiri Prochazka) has the mentality to get to 84kg (185 pounds), don’t get me wrong, the dude is borderline psychiatric,” Robert Whittaker told MMArcade during a recent podcast appearance. “If he wants to get to 84kg, he’ll do it – whether or not it’ll be a good move is hard to say.”

“I can’t see him at 84kg, I’ve seen him in real life,” Whittaker explained. “I’ve been up close with him and he’s a big dude, it’s not just like he’s physical like he’s got a big frame, he’s got wide shoulders, he’s quite tall like 6’4 – he’s a big, big guy.” 

Jiri Prochazka
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

A career light heavyweight, Prochazka, a former RIZIN FF champion, struck UFC gold back in 2021 in a trip to Singapore, rallying to land a highlight-reel fifth round rear-naked choke win over defending champion, Glover Teixeira. 

Do you think JIri Prochazka could find success at 185 pounds?