Tag: Jiri Prochazka

Official – Alex Pereira set for vacant title fight with Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295 in November

Jiri Prochazka issues warning to Alex Pereira If I have to choke him I will UFCFormer undisputed middleweight champion, Alex Pereira is set to make his Octagon return in tandem with fellow former titleholder, Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295 in November – with the pair vying for the vacant light heavyweight crown at Madison Square Garden.  Per an official announcement from UDC CEO, Dana White, Pereira will co-headline the New […]

Jiri Prochazka issues warning to Alex Pereira If I have to choke him I will UFC

Former undisputed middleweight champion, Alex Pereira is set to make his Octagon return in tandem with fellow former titleholder, Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295 in November – with the pair vying for the vacant light heavyweight crown at Madison Square Garden. 

Per an official announcement from UDC CEO, Dana White, Pereira will co-headline the New York card against the returning former light heavyweight champion, Prochazka.

The bout will take co-main event status, beneath a long-awaited undisputed heavyweight title fight between the incumbent and pound-for-pound number one, Jon Jones, and former champion, Stipe Miocic.

Alex Pereira returns at UFC 295 against Jiri Prochazka

Making a successful light heavyweight divisional bow at UFC 291 back in July, Pereira scored a close split decision win over another former division titleholder – defeating Jan Blachowicz over the course of three rounds.

Himself sidelined since he headlined UFC 275 back in May of last year in Singapore, Prochazka struck light heavyweight gold on that occasion with a submission win over Pereira’s close friend and teammate, Glover Teixeira.

Forced to vacate the crown back in December of last year ahead of a rematch with Brazilian veteran, Teixeira, Prochazka suffered a reportedly gruesome shoulder injury, sidelining him ultimately for 11 months.

Hoping to strike gold for the second time since beginning his Octagon tenure back in 2021, Pereira took home the middleweight title last November at MSG, defeating former two time champion, Israel Adesanya with a rallying fifth round TKO. 

Pereira would ultimately lose the crown to the above-mentioned, Adesanya at UFC 287 earlier this year after suffering a thunderous second round KO in their Miami, Florida rematch.

UFC 295 takes place on November 11. from Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York – with Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic headlining the card ahead of Pereira’s title return against Prochazka.

Who wins at UFC 295; Alex Pereira or Jiri Prochazka?

Jiri Prochazka still eying 2023 return for Alex Pereira title fight

Jiri ProchazkaFormer UFC light heavyweight Jiri Prochazka is still hopeful to return before the end of this year.  After what has been a very odd year for the 205lb division, the weight class will hopefully return to some normalcy after the proposed fight between Prochazka and Alex Pereira for the vacant title. ‘Denisa’ vacated the title […]

Jiri Prochazka

Former UFC light heavyweight Jiri Prochazka is still hopeful to return before the end of this year. 

After what has been a very odd year for the 205lb division, the weight class will hopefully return to some normalcy after the proposed fight between Prochazka and Alex Pereira for the vacant title. ‘Denisa’ vacated the title last year after suffering a serious shoulder injury, but finally seems ready to return. 

‘Poatan’ earned his shot after defeating Jan Blachowicz over a hard-fought three rounds at UFC 291. The matchup between Prochazka and Pereira has all the makings to be completely wild, with both men possessing serious power and are more than willing to exchange on the feet.

Jiri Prochazka eyes 2023 return

Appearing on The MMA Hour, Prochazka spoke on the potential matchup and hopes to fight before the year is up.

“That’s my next fight, [it] will be [for] the title. So I think that Alex is the [opponent], [and has] the very good chance to show the world a good title fight. And I’d like to see him as my opponent in my next fight,” said Prochazka. (H/T MMA Fighting)

“Right now I’m on a technical camp so I don’t know what date they have for the fight. It doesn’t matter. I want to fight this year, so let’s talk about the date, the space for this fight.”

Continuing on, Prochazka spoke on the potential matchup and views the fight as a sort of rematch of his epic contest with Glover Texeira, in which Pereira would corner his fellow Brazilian. 

“Right now, after the messages to Glover, I want to fight with Pereira right now because it seems like the second fight with Glover [won’t] happen, and Pereira is his second version but more in the stand-up, so let’s do that,” said Prochazka.

Pereira and Texeira are close friends and training partners with the latter guiding the former GLORY Kickboxing champion through his MMA career. 

Jiri Prochazka discusses upcoming Alex Pereira title fight

Who wins, Jiri Prochazka or Alex Pereira?

Alex Pereira expects easier striking fight with Jiri Prochazka in UFC title clash: ‘The matchup is better for me’

Alex Pereira expects easier fight with Jiri Prochazka in UFC title fight the matchup is betterForced the distance in his light heavyweight divisional bow at UFC 291 against former weight class champion, Jan Blachowicz last month, former middleweight titleholder, Alex Pereira has claimed he expects a strictly striking affair, and likely easier battle against Jiri Prochakza in a pegged vacant title affair next.  Pereira, who made his Octagon return at […]

Alex Pereira expects easier fight with Jiri Prochazka in UFC title fight the matchup is better

Forced the distance in his light heavyweight divisional bow at UFC 291 against former weight class champion, Jan Blachowicz last month, former middleweight titleholder, Alex Pereira has claimed he expects a strictly striking affair, and likely easier battle against Jiri Prochakza in a pegged vacant title affair next. 

Pereira, who made his Octagon return at UFC 291 at the end of last month in Salt Lake City, Utah – landing a close, split decision win over Polish veteran, Blahcowicz in his first outing at the light heavyweight limit inside the Octagon. 

And off the back of his title-eliminator victory, the Sao Paulo native managed to scoop the number three rank in the light heavyweight rankings – with many within the sport expecting the Brazilian knockout artist to clash with Czech Republic native and former light heavyweight titleholder, Prochazka in a vacant championship bout in his sophomore divisional walk.

Alex Pereira expects striking war with Jiri Prochazka in UFC title showdown

Sharing his thoughts on how he matches up with Prochazka stylistically, Pereira revealed that he expects a sole striking showdown with the former Rizin FF gold holder, and expects an easier outing next time out.

“I think – and some people won’t agree [with me] – but I think Jan (Blachowicz) is a tougher fight [than Jiri Prochazka] because he has the grappling game, and it makes it a bit harder for me, makes my striking less effective,” Alex Pereira told Laerte Viana during a recent interview. “But, I think it will be different with Jiri. I think he’ll come to fight on the feet.”

“I don’t think he’s the kind of guy who will come to grapple,” Alex Pereira explained. “Everyone says that everyone who fights me will want to take me down. He might do that, but I’m not believing it yet. He’s a guy who will expose himself more, and I think it will be a dangerous fight. But, I believe the matchup is better for me than against Jan.” 

Are you excited to see Alex Pereira fight Jiri Prochazka in the future?

Jiri Prochazka issues warning to Alex Pereira ahead of expected UFC title fight: ‘If I have to choke him, I will’

Jiri Prochazka issues warning to Alex Pereira If I have to choke him I will UFCLargely expected to make his Octagon return in a vacant UFC light heavyweight title fight with fellow former promotional champion, Alex Pereira, Czech Republic finisher, Jiri Prochazka claims that if he’s forced to utilize his grappling – as he did against Pereira’s training partner and compatriot, Glover Teixeira en route to victory, then so be […]

Jiri Prochazka issues warning to Alex Pereira If I have to choke him I will UFC

Largely expected to make his Octagon return in a vacant UFC light heavyweight title fight with fellow former promotional champion, Alex Pereira, Czech Republic finisher, Jiri Prochazka claims that if he’s forced to utilize his grappling – as he did against Pereira’s training partner and compatriot, Glover Teixeira en route to victory, then so be it.

Prochazka, the current number one ranked light heavyweight contender, has yet to return to the Octagon since he landed divisional gold back in June of last year at UFC 275 in Singapore, submitting the aforenoted defending titleholder, Glover Teixeira with a stunning fifth round rear-naked choke – sans hooks to win the crown.

As for Pereira, the Sao Paulo native most recently co-headlined UFC 291 at the end of July in Salt Lake City, Utah, landing a close, split decision win over former champion, Jan Blachowicz in the pair’s title-eliminator – in what came as Pereira’s first venture at the light heavyweight limit inside the Octagon.

Yet to book his comeback, Prochazka vacated his light heavyweight title back in December of last year, after suffering a catastrophic shoulder injury.

And while reports detailed earlier this week how the organization briefly explored the idea of a vacant light heavyweight title fight between Prochazka and Pereira in just six weeks time UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia, the bout failed to come to fruition.

Jiri Prochazka plays up submission threat in potential Alex Pereira clash

However, when he expectedly shares the Octagon with the Braziian knockout ace, Prochazka exclaimed that he has no reservations about testing out his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu arsenal in the pair’s expected clash.

“I think he (Alex Pereira) has one of the best striking in the middleweight [division],” Jiri Prochazka told AllStar reporter, John Hyon Ko. “[At] light heavyweight, we will see. I’m ready. Like every time. I will do everything for the win.”

“If I have to change myself… I will do that,” Jiri Prochazka explained. “Like (with) Glover (Teixeira), if I have to choke him (Alex Pereira), I will choke him. It doesn’t matter. That’s [what] fighting’s about, to adjust.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

Who do you expect to emerge with the win between Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira?

Jiri Prochazka calls for Alex Pereira title clash after UFC 291: ‘I’d like to see him in my next fight’

Jiri Prochazka calls for vacant title fight Alex Pereira after UFC 291 win I would like to see him nextFormer undisputed light heavyweight champion, Jiri Prochazka has welcomed the possibility of a vacant division title clash with former middleweight champion, Alex Pereira in his return to the Octagon – after the Brazilian’s split decision win over former titleholder, Jan Blachowicz in the pair’s title eliminator at UFC 291. Prochazka, the current number one ranked […]

Jiri Prochazka calls for vacant title fight Alex Pereira after UFC 291 win I would like to see him next

Former undisputed light heavyweight champion, Jiri Prochazka has welcomed the possibility of a vacant division title clash with former middleweight champion, Alex Pereira in his return to the Octagon – after the Brazilian’s split decision win over former titleholder, Jan Blachowicz in the pair’s title eliminator at UFC 291.

Prochazka, the current number one ranked light heavyweight contender, has been sidelined since he featured atop a UFC 275 card back in June of last year in Singapore, defeating Pereira’s training partner and former champion, Glover Teixeira in the pair’s title showcase.

Suffering a catastrophic shoulder injury in December of last year, and choosing to vacate the light heavyweight throne, Czech Republic native, Prochazka claimed he would be fighting for Octagon gold in his immediate return to action.

And following the recent relinquishing of gold by Jamahal Hill who suffered an achilles injury earlier this month, Prochazka turned his attention to a vacant championship offing with either Blachowicz and Pereira.

Turning in a close, split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) win over former champion, Blachowicz in his light heavyweight division bow over the weekend in the co-main event of UFC 291, Pereira called for a title fight in his sophomore 205lbs walk.

Jiri Prochazka welcomes title fight with Alex Pereira after UFC 291

And as far as Prochazka is concerned, a pairing with Sao Paulo knockout artist, Pereira would likely produce an exciting title fight – which he expects to take place in his return.

“Yeah, sure – not sure, it’s not confirmed yet from UFC, but that’s the – my next fight will be the title, so I think Alex (Pereira) is the very good chance to show the world a good title fight,”Jiri Prochazka told MMA Fighting during a recent interview. “And I like to see him like opponent in my next fight.”

Do you think Jiri Prochazka fights Alex Pereira in his return to UFC?

Ex-Champion Jiri Prochazka welcomes vacant UFC title fight with Alex Pereira in return: ‘Who is next?’

Jiri Prochazka weighs up vacant title fight Alex Pereira UFC 291 Who is nextCzech Republic favorite, Jiri Prochazka has reacted to the vacating of the undisputed light heavyweight championship of Jamahal Hill this week, wishing the Illinois native well in rehabilitation – as well as weighing up a return fight with fellow former champions, Jan Blachowicz, and Alex Pereira. Prochazka, a former undisputed light heavyweight champion, has been […]

Jiri Prochazka weighs up vacant title fight Alex Pereira UFC 291 Who is next

Czech Republic favorite, Jiri Prochazka has reacted to the vacating of the undisputed light heavyweight championship of Jamahal Hill this week, wishing the Illinois native well in rehabilitation – as well as weighing up a return fight with fellow former champions, Jan Blachowicz, and Alex Pereira.

Prochazka, a former undisputed light heavyweight champion, has been sidelined himself since headlining UFC 275 back in June of last year, striking divisional gold with a stunning fifth round win over Glover Teixeira, submitting the Brazilian with a rear-naked choke in Singapore.

Slated to defend the crown in an immediate title rematch with Teixeira at UFC 282 back in December of last year, a catastrophic shoulder injury forced the cancellation of the bout, with former Rizin FF champion, Jiri Prochazka electing to relinquish the title to boot.

However, this week, the 205 pound championship was left in limbo once more, with Hill officially announcing his decision to vacate the crown, after rupturing his achilles tendon in a pick-up basketball match during International Fight Week earlier this month. 

In turn, fans have called for the inclusion of a vacant title between the above-mentioned duo of Blachowicz and Pereira – with the former light heavyweight and middleweight champion, respectively, fighting at UFC 291 later this month already.

Jiri Prochazka weighs up fights with Jan Blachowicz or Alex Pereira

Addressing Hill’s decision to vacate the throne, Prochazka, the current number one ranked contender, has wished the former well in his recovery, as well as weighing up his part in the ongoing title situation.

“Man, I’m so sorry, I was really looking forward to our fight,” Jiri Prochazka tweeted to Jamahal Hill. “I appreciate your release of the title. Only a person who has experienced this situation can appreciate such a thing. Who is next? Winner [of] (Jan) Blachowicz vs. (Alex) Pereira or…?”