Tag: Jiri Prochazka

Video – Jiri Prochazka shares intense face off with Alex Pereira ahead of UFC 295 title fight in New York City

Jiri Prochazka faces off with Alex Pereira in an intense staredown ahead of their UFC 295 title fightReturning to the Octagon for the first time in 18 months this weekend as he headlines UFC 295, former…

Jiri Prochazka faces off with Alex Pereira in an intense staredown ahead of their UFC 295 title fight

Returning to the Octagon for the first time in 18 months this weekend as he headlines UFC 295, former undisputed light heavyweight champion, Jiri Prochazka shared a usually intense staredown with former middleweight titleholder, Alex Pereira, as the two meet in ‘The Big Apple’ with vacant 205 pound gold on the line.

Prochazka, a former undisputed light heavyweight champion, most recently headlined UFC 275 back in June of last year against Pereira’s close friend and teammate, Glover Teixeira, landing the undisputed light heavyweight crown with a rallying fifth round win over the Brazilian, landing a stunning rear-naked choke – sans hooks to boot.

As for Pereira, the former undisputed middleweight kingpin made his light heavyweight divisional bow under the UFC banner back in July against former champion, Jan Blachowicz, earning his championship tilt in a title-eliminator win over the Pole in a close split decision win on the scorecards.

Himself landing gold a year ago at Madison Square Garden – the same venue as this weekend’s UFC 295 title fight with Czech Republic native, Prochazka, Alex Pereira stopped dominant gold holder and arch-rival, Israel Adesanya with his own rallying win, landing a fifth round standing TKO victory in New York.

Jiri Prochazka fights Alex Pereira this weekend at MSG

And attempting to become a two-weight champion just three years deep into his tenure with the UFC, Pereira appeared at a press conference today on the East Coast – facing off with former Rizin FF champion, Prochazka in an intense staredown between the two light heavyweight finishers. 

Also appearing at the presser, heavyweight contenders, Sergei Pavlovich and Tom Aspinall featured on the stage, themselves facing off ahead of their impromptu interim heavyweight title fight – following the withdrawal of pound-for-pound number one and incumbent heavyweight championship holder, Jon Jones. 

Who wins this weekend at UFC 295: Jiri Prochazka or Alex Pereira?

Daniel Cormier Believes Jiri Prochazka’s ‘Ring Rust’ will loom large in UFC 295 title tilt against Alex Pereira

Jiri ProchazkaJiri Prochazka returns to the Octagon nearly 18 months removed from his instant classic with Glover Teixeira at UFC…

Jiri Prochazka

Jiri Prochazka returns to the Octagon nearly 18 months removed from his instant classic with Glover Teixeira at UFC 275.

‘Denisa’ captured the light heavyweight title that night, securing a fifth-round submission over Teixeira in a back-and-forth Fight of the Year contender. Unfortunately, Prochazka never had the opportunity to defend his title. Instead, he opted to vacate the championship after sustaining a shoulder injury that would require surgery to repair. More than a year later, Prochazka is once again healthy and ready to reclaim the gold that he never technically lost.

Standing in his way will be Alex Pereira, an accomplished kickboxer who has already claimed one UFC title courtesy of a stunning knockout against Israel Adesanya last year.

Offering his take on the highly anticipated title tilt at UFC 295, Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier recognizes that Prochazka is a special athlete, having captured a championship just two fights into his run with the promotion.

“He has not been here long, so for him to have been UFC champion in such a short period of time tells you how special of a talent he is,” Cormier said during a recent episode of DC&RC. “But, with him winning as he did, with a lot of frequency that he was in the Octagon, I believe that that consistency helped him to where he was able to get that UFC championship belt” (h/t MMA Mania).

Prochazka’s Lengthy Layoff Could Be the deciding factor at uFC 295

With that said, Daniel Cormier is not convinced that Prochazka will be 100 percent when he steps inside the Octagon on Saturday night. Even if ‘Denisa’ can go physically, Cormier believes that the lengthy layoff will be a big factor in the high-stakes affair.

“I think that this layoff is going to hurt him,” Cormier claimed. “But, for Jiri, it’s got to feel like playing with the house’s money because he was supposed to be gone for another four months, 18 months. He got hurt last year. This guy is back in 15 months. They were saying 18 months until he was able to do anything. So, now he’s back fighting for the belt, but I do believe that this ring rust is going to play a factor, especially early.”

In the time since Jiri Prochazka’s last fight, Alex Pereira has competed four times, scoring wins over Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya before venturing to the land of 205 for a light heavyweight clash with former division champion Jan Blachowicz. ‘Poatan’ escaped with a split decision victory over the Polish powerhouse, setting the stage for a scrap with Prochazka under the bright lights of the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden.

“Alex Pereira has been very active,” Cormier added.

Daniel Cormier eats leg kick from UFC star Alex Pereira: ‘That’s why with you it’s always wrestle’

alex pereiraDaniel Cormier jokes around with Alex Pereira ahead of his showdown with Jiri Prochazka for the UFC’s vacant light-heavyweight…

alex pereira

Daniel Cormier jokes around with Alex Pereira ahead of his showdown with Jiri Prochazka for the UFC’s vacant light-heavyweight title.

Cormier is regarded as one of the greatest fighters that the has ever fought which of course comes with a certain level of respect fellow fighters and those involved in the sport. ‘DC’ is also a beloved figure by many, since retirement his cheerful and friendly personality have been on full display with his media and broadcasting duties.

The 44-year-old often wrestles and jokes around with fighters backstage, showing off a few ticks or too. This time however, he would be on the receiving end of some leg kicks from one of the UFC’s most powerful strikers.

Alex Pereira and Daniel Cormier

“Tell him I want 25 (percent) but nothing crazy, tell him 25 that’s it,” Cormier said to Alex Pereira’s coach.

After receiving the kick, Cormier cold clearly see what the fuss what about, exclaiming –“That’s why with you it’s always wrestle, takedown!”

Alex Pereira Vs. Jiri Prochazka

In just his seventh fight with the promotion, Pereira is set to fight Prochazka this weekend for the vacant 205lb title. The bout has all the making to be a memorable one, both men poses serious power and fighting ending ability.

“The thing that makes him dangerous is all the experience he has,” Pereira said of Prockazka. “He’s a seasoned fighter. He’s dangerous, but that helps to keep me aware and not overlook the guy. I’m actually preparing to go over there and get it done. He’s a seasoned and experienced guy. That plays a part in it.” (H/T MMA Fighting)

the fight will headline UFC 295 which will take place in Madison Square Garden in New York. Also on the card will be a fight between Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich for the interim hevaywight tile.

Who wins this weekend, Alex Pereira or Jiri Prochazka?

Jiri Prochazka Details Panic Attacks over never-Ending USADA Visits Ahead of UFC Return: ‘It was not good sleep’

Jiri ProchazkaAdd Jiri Prochazka to the list of fighters who were elated to hear that the UFC’s eight-year-long relationship with…

Jiri Prochazka

Add Jiri Prochazka to the list of fighters who were elated to hear that the UFC’s eight-year-long relationship with the United States Anti-Doping Agency would be coming to an end in 2024.

On Saturday night, ‘Denisa’ returns to the Octagon for the first time in more than a year when he looks to reclaim the light heavyweight title he never lost. Standing in his way will be former middleweight champion Alex Pereira who hopes to add a second UFC strap to his resume when the two men clash for the vacant 205-pound crown at UFC 295.

If Prochazka wins, he will become just the third man the claim the light heavyweight title twice in his career, joining a very exclusive list that includes Randy Couture, and Jon ‘Bones Jones.

However, ‘Denisa’ already holds one record that he’s not particularly thrilled with; he is the most drug tested fighter in UFC history.

The USADA database shows that Prochazka was drug tested an incredible 64 times in 2022, more than double the numbers of every other athlete in the testing pool. Fortunately, things have settled a bit for Prochazka as he has only been tested nine times in 2023 thus far. Speaking with Ariel Helwani during Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour, ‘Denisa’ admitted that the thought of USADA knocking his door still fills him with anxiety.

“In the Czech Republic, yes [almost always the same USADA people],” he said of the situation. “Yeah, I know them. One guy and one woman. Yeah [they’re nice].

“Sometimes it was like I woke up and [gasps] ‘Oh f*ck, today they will come, today they will come!” he added. “I need to be prepared for that. Because it was not good sleeping. It was not good sleeping, many times per week [makes blood drawing motion on arm] from injections, taking blood. Here in U.S. they just do, like, thumb, take the little blood, like a drop of it. But [in Czech] they took a lot of blood. Like one bottle of blood” (h/t MMA Mania).

Jiri Prochazka happy to be freed from the shackles of USADA

Earlier this year, USADA CEO Travis Tygart revealed that the anti-doping agency would no longer partner with the UFC come January 1. Instead, the promotion will opt for an in-house testing system run by George Piro, the ex-FBI special agent known for leading the Saddam Hussein interrogation in December 2003.

“Now, I am free,” Prochazka said with a smile. “Two more months and then another [drug testing agency].”

Alex Pereira issues warning to Jiri Prochazka ahead of UFC 295 title fight: ‘He is aggressive, but so am I’

Alex Pereira issues warning to Jiri Prochazka ahead of UFC 295 title fight he's aggressive but so am IAhead of his championship fight return this weekend in Madison Square Garden, Alex Pereira maintains he can compete at…

Alex Pereira issues warning to Jiri Prochazka ahead of UFC 295 title fight he's aggressive but so am I

Ahead of his championship fight return this weekend in Madison Square Garden, Alex Pereira maintains he can compete at the light heavyweight limit despite skepticism from his opponent, Jiri Prochazka – urging fans to “expect a show” between the two as they headline UFC 295.

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion under the banner of the promotion, is slated to headline UFC 295 this weekend in his third Octagon walk at Madison Square Garden in New York. 

The outing will come as Sao Paulo native, Alex Pereira’s sophomore at the light heavyweight limit since he landed at the weight class back in July at UFC 291, turning in a close, split decision win over former undisputed light heavyweight champion, Jan Blachowicz.

Alex Pereira inducted into GLORY Kickboxing Hall of Fame

Receiving an induction into a notable Hall of Fame over the course of the weekend, Pereira has been entered into the GLORY KIckboxoing annals, having struck both undisputed middleweight and light heavyweight championship gold under the banner of the British-based organization.

And ahead of his vacant light heavyweight championship fight with former champion, Czech Republic native, Pereira issued somewhat of a warning to his fellow former titleholder, speculating that the European is doubting his ability a division higher. 

“Maybe he (Jiri Prochazka) thinks I’m not good,” Alex Pereria told Sports Illustrated during a recent interview ahead of his UFC 295 title fight return. “That’s fine. Jiri is aggressive – so am I. Expect a show.” 

Enjoying an impressive two-fight winning run when competing at Madison Square Garden, Brazilian knockout artist, Pereira landed in the Octagon with a second round knockout win over Andreas Michailidis, before fighting for gold in 2022 at the same arena.

On that occasion, Pereira managed to strike the undisputed middleweight championship as he rekindled his rivalry with arch-rival, Israel Adesanya – rallying to land a fifth round standing TKO win over the City Kickboxing staple. 

Who wins at UFC 295 this weekend: Alex Pereira or Jiri Prochazka?