Tag: Jiri Prochazka

Jiri Prochazka reveals battle with staph infection ahead of fight with Alex Pereira: ‘I said everything was fine’

Jiri Prochazka reveals staph infection before Alex Pereira fight everything wasn't fineFormer undisputed light heavyweight champion, Jiri Prochazka has revealed he entered his title fight rematch with Alex Pereira at…

Jiri Prochazka reveals staph infection before Alex Pereira fight everything wasn't fine

Former undisputed light heavyweight champion, Jiri Prochazka has revealed he entered his title fight rematch with Alex Pereira at UFC 303 last weekend battling a staph infection – caused by a tick bite.

Prochazka, a former light heavyweight titleholder, made his return on short-notice at UFC 303 over the course of last weekend during International Fight Week – taking on two-time opponent, Pereira.

Jiri Prochazka vows to evolve or stop fighting after UFC 303 loss to Alex Pereira in statement
Mandatory Credit: Ian Maule

And dropping a spectacular second round knockout defeat, Czech Republic finisher, Prochazka was stopped with a massive high-kick strike from the Brazilian knockout phenom, suffering his second defeat via knockout to Pereira in less than a year.

Claiming in the immediate aftermath of his loss to the Sao Paulo striker how he would need to “evolve” or retire from combat sports, Prochazka’s coach played up the chances of his student making good on a long-rumored move to the middleweight limit.

Jiri Prochazka spent 3 days with no food or water after booking UFC 303 fight he is that dude
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

“Personally speaking, I see [middleweight] as a potential restart and a positive step,” Karaivanov told TN CZ Sport. “He (Jiri Prochazka) is also still at an age where he can cut weight to [185 pounds] relatively well. We will definitely talk about it, It won’t be my decision, but a team decision. A middleweight [move] would make sense because it would be a new start, something new to focus one. A return to light heavyweight would make sense if and when it starts becoming difficult for him to cut weight to middleweight.”

Jiri Prochazka reveals battle with staph infection pre-UFC 303

And providing an update off the back of his loss to former two-division gold holder, Pereira, former champion, Prochazka revealed he was battling a staph infection ahead of UFC 303, as well as suffering a back injury during training.

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“The last two weeks have been health-wise – even thought I said everything was fine, it wasn’t,” Jiri Prochazka told CNN Prima. “This was manifested by staphylococcus, a spot on the body after a tick bite, an unhealed would on the leg, a crunch in the back after heavy lifting.”

Who do you want to see Jiri Prochazka fight in his UFC return?

Coach Hints At Major Career Change For Ji?í Procházka After UFC 303 Defeat: ‘A Potential Restart…’

Following his bounce-back win over Aleksandr Raki? at UFC 300, Ji?í Procházka made the claim that competing at the weight class below could be an option for him in the near future. He said that going into his fight in April, he didn’t have much weight to cut in order to make the light heavyweight […]

Continue Reading Coach Hints At Major Career Change For Ji?í Procházka After UFC 303 Defeat: ‘A Potential Restart…’ at MMA News.

Following his bounce-back win over Aleksandr Raki? at UFC 300, Ji?í Procházka made the claim that competing at the weight class below could be an option for him in the near future.

He said that going into his fight in April, he didn’t have much weight to cut in order to make the light heavyweight limit, which made him confident of dropping to middleweight at some stage.

Procházka told Michael Bisping in an interview that it was something he was thinking about as a way to further challenge himself, even after the former middleweight champion warned him of how tough the weight cut may be.

“So, good food with some good diet for me, I think 84 kilos, middleweight will be no problem. I’m still thinking about that, how I can feel with these guys in middleweight because I know I can do that.

“I’m looking forward to that because I want to try more clear foods in preparation because I really know how to work with my body, with that weight, and I feel it can be good.”

Ji?í Procházka’s Coach Says Middleweight Would Give Them A ‘New Start’ Post-UFC 303

Moving to middleweight looks to be back in contention for Procházka after he was unable to reclaim the light heavyweight title this past weekend at UFC 303 in a rematch with Alex Pereira.

Many were critical of his approach to the fight, with the former champion also stating that he would need to go back and work on becoming a new version of himself if he was going to continue fighting.

His coach, Martin Karaivanov, spoke in an interview with TN CZ Sport about how this could mean moving to middleweight in order to begin a new chapter of his career.

“Personally speaking, I see [middleweight] as a potential restart and a positive step,” Karaivanov said (translated by MMA Mania). “He is also still at an age where he can cut weight to [185] relatively well. We will definitely talk about it. It won’t be my decision, but a team decision.

“Middleweight would make sense because it would be a new start, something new to focus on. A return to light heavyweight would make sense if and when it starts becoming difficult for him to cut weight to middleweight.”

Having admitted that he either needs to evolve as a fighter or not return to competition following a second setback at the hands of “Poatan,” perhaps “BJP” will look to do so down at 185 pounds in pursuit of becoming the promotion’s latest double champ.

Continue Reading Coach Hints At Major Career Change For Ji?í Procházka After UFC 303 Defeat: ‘A Potential Restart…’ at MMA News.

Georges St-Pierre’s Coach Labels Ji?í Procházka’s UFC 303 Performance As ‘Worst Approach To A Fight Ever’

Ji?í Procházka was unable to reclaim the UFC light heavyweight title in a rematch with Alex Pereira this past weekend in Las Vegas. Despite believing that he had made some significant adjustments for his approach this time around, UFC 303 was a far more one-sided affair than their previous encounter last November. Though it is […]

Continue Reading Georges St-Pierre’s Coach Labels Ji?í Procházka’s UFC 303 Performance As ‘Worst Approach To A Fight Ever’ at MMA News.

Ji?í Procházka was unable to reclaim the UFC light heavyweight title in a rematch with Alex Pereira this past weekend in Las Vegas.

Despite believing that he had made some significant adjustments for his approach this time around, UFC 303 was a far more one-sided affair than their previous encounter last November.

Though it is true that Procházka was having success in the first fight until he was stopped in the second round, he was seemingly fighting a losing battle mostly due to the damage that was done to his leg early on in the fight.

The same thing happened on Saturday night but Pereira was able to find a home for his devastating left hook even earlier on this occasion, before finishing the fight at the start of the second round with a head kick.

Firas Zahabi Criticizes Ji?í Procházka For Being Happy To Strike With Alex Pereira

The highly-regarded MMA coach Firas Zahabi gave his breakdown of the fight during a recent video on the Tristar Gym YouTube channel.

He was very critical of the approach that Procházka came into the rematch with because there wasn’t enough emphasis placed on switching things up on Pereira.

Zahabi referenced how there is a stark difference in the amount of MMA experience that both men have, with Procházka coming into the main event with 36 pro fights compared to Pereira’s 13.

The former coach of Georges St-Pierre couldn’t understand why the challenger wouldn’t look to take advantage of this by trying to take the former world champion kickboxing out of his comfort zone.

“You’d think Ji?í would have like 10 more years under his belt in wrestling and still he didn’t even fathom a takedown. He tried one little clinch, he didn’t even knock on that door. Very disappointing strategy by Ji?í. Ji?í was just seemingly happy to strike and I will tell you, within the first minute of round one, “Poatan” had landed like four kicks and you could tell he was already hurting Ji?í’s leg.

“Ji?í’s game plan and performance, I think that was his worst approach to a fight ever, he’s ever had. I heard he was like three days in a cave somewhere meditating, thinking about this fight, how he’s going to approach it. Unfortunately for him it really didn’t work.”

Continue Reading Georges St-Pierre’s Coach Labels Ji?í Procházka’s UFC 303 Performance As ‘Worst Approach To A Fight Ever’ at MMA News.

Jiri Prochazka targeting middleweight drop after UFC 303 title fight loss: ‘It would be a new start’

Jiri Prochazka plans middleweight drop after UFC 303 title fighjt loss it would be a new startOff the back of his second title fight loss to the incumbent, Alex Pereira over the course of last…

Jiri Prochazka plans middleweight drop after UFC 303 title fighjt loss it would be a new start

Off the back of his second title fight loss to the incumbent, Alex Pereira over the course of last weekend at UFC 303, former light heavyweight champion, Jiri Prochazka and his team are once more mulling over a potential drop to the middleweight limit for his return to action.

Headlining the promotion’s International Fight Week card on short-notice at UFC 303 at the end of last month, Prochazka was felled for the second time in less than a year by the above-mentioned, Pereira – who dispatched him with a thunderous second round high-kick knockout win in Las Vegas.

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And now boasting a 1-2 record in the promotion following an impressive four-fight unbeaten rise of finishes to begin his Octagon tenure, Prochazka claimed he would need to seriously “evolve” in his time away from competition, or consider retiring from combat sports.

“Hello everyone, thank you for all your support,” Jiri Prochazka said. “Thanks to you Alex (Pereira) for the fight, it was better. Only one thing goes on my mind: that I need to evolve, to the next level, or don’t fight again.”

poatan ufc 303

“So it’s very simple,” Jiri Prochazka continued. “To be the strongest, this is the way. Thank you, see you in the gym. 

Jiri Prochazka backed to consider middleweight drop

And discussing his student’s future following UFC 303, Prochazka’s coach, Martin Karaivanov considered a middleweight limit drop for the Czech star in his immediate return to action.

Jiri Prochazka vows to evolve or stop fighting after UFC 303 loss to Alex Pereira in statement
Mandatory Credit: Ian Maule

“Personally speaking, I see [middleweight] as a potential restart and a positive step,” Karaivanov told TN CZ Sport. “He (Jiri Prochazka) is also still at an age where he can cut weight to [185 pounds] relatively well. We will definitely talk about it, It won’t be my decision, but a team decision. A middleweight [move] would make sense because it would be a new start, something new to focus one. A return to light heavyweight would make sense if and when it starts becoming difficult for him to cut weight to middleweight.”

How do you think Jiri Prochazka can perform at the middleweight limit?

Ben Askren Says It Was ‘Clear’ Ji?í Procházka Would Get His ‘Ass Kicked’ At UFC 303: ‘If You’re Starting To Worry About Witchcraft…’

Former Bellator and ONE Championship titleholder Ben Askren believes Ji?í Procházka’s violent setback at UFC 303 was inevitable owing to where his focus was during fight week. Procházka had his second attempt at regaining the UFC light heavyweight crown in the main event of the June 29 pay-per-view, which headlined International Fight Week in Las […]

Continue Reading Ben Askren Says It Was ‘Clear’ Ji?í Procházka Would Get His ‘Ass Kicked’ At UFC 303: ‘If You’re Starting To Worry About Witchcraft…’ at MMA News.

Former Bellator and ONE Championship titleholder Ben Askren believes Ji?í Procházka’s violent setback at UFC 303 was inevitable owing to where his focus was during fight week.

Procházka had his second attempt at regaining the UFC light heavyweight crown in the main event of the June 29 pay-per-view, which headlined International Fight Week in Las Vegas.

Having previously had his pursuit of the belt he formerly owned stalled by Alex Pereira at Madison Square Garden last November, “BJP” was targeting redemption against “Poatan” at T-Mobile Arena.

But the Czech star ultimately fell short once again, this time in a much more convincing and brutal fashion. After being dropped at the end of round one, Procházka was finished for good after being sent back to the canvas by a clean head kick in the second frame.

While many were backing the challenger’s chances owing to the early success he had against “Poatan” in 2023, one former fighter was expecting the UFC 303 main event to play out as it did after seeing some of Procházka’s pre-fight remarks…

Askren On Pereira vs. Procházka: ‘If You’re Worrying About Witchcraft, You’re Done’

During a recent episode of his Funky and the Champ YouTube show alongside Daniel Cormier, Askren gave his take on Procházka’s suggestion that Pereira uses “spiritual things” and “magic” from Shamans to help him defeat his opponents.

As soon as that reared its head, “Funky” believes it was game over for the challenger.

“I hate it,” Askren said of Procházka’s focus on “magic” during fight week. “If you start talking like that, that is a clear sign you’re going to get your ass kicked. If you’re starting to worry about witchcraft, no, you’re done. You’re not going to win. I said it, I said, ‘Listen, if he’s worrying about witchcraft, this is going to be over quick. He’s going to get knocked out,’ and that’s what happened.

“When you get that far, it’s a little too far. I said it, I hate this. I hate the fact he was thinking about this kind of stuff,” Askren continued. “(If you are), it’s probably over for you.”

A video has subsequently emerged showing Pereira and Procházka embracing one another at the airport post-fight, with the champion clarifying his religion and beliefs to his defeated rival.

“BJP” also made no mention of that pre-fight narrative in his first statement on social media. Instead, he took full responsibility for the defeat and insisted that he must evolve as a fighter or not compete again.

Continue Reading Ben Askren Says It Was ‘Clear’ Ji?í Procházka Would Get His ‘Ass Kicked’ At UFC 303: ‘If You’re Starting To Worry About Witchcraft…’ at MMA News.

MMA News Today: Dricus Du Plessis Lands Verbal TKO To Israel Adesanya During Heated Staredown At UFC 305 Press Conference, Jon Jones Responds To Rumors Of ‘Spirit Channeling & Magic’ In MMA Following Alex Pereira Fight, & More

Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 3, 2024, we’re taking a look at: Dricus Du Plessis Makes Joking Remark To Israel Adesanya During Heated Faceoff Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya came face to face once again during the press conference […]

Continue Reading MMA News Today: Dricus Du Plessis Lands Verbal TKO To Israel Adesanya During Heated Staredown At UFC 305 Press Conference, Jon Jones Responds To Rumors Of ‘Spirit Channeling & Magic’ In MMA Following Alex Pereira Fight, & More at MMA News.

Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 3, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

  • Du Plessis has the best reply to Adesanya jab
  • Jones gives his side of the story on the use of magic and spirits
  • Diaz knew his own value before taking McGregor opportunity

Dricus Du Plessis Makes Joking Remark To Israel Adesanya During Heated Faceoff

Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya came face to face once again during the press conference that went down yesterday, for their upcoming middleweight title fight.

Before the two rivals meet at UFC 305 on August 17 in Perth, they shared an incredibly tense staredown that is sure to build excitement for their eventual meeting.

Adesanya appeared to be the one to say something to Du Plessis first during the staredown which the middleweight champion was asked about after the press conference.

He jokingly made remarks about something that Adesanya’s last opponent, Sean Strickland, also chose to make fun of throughout the build-up to their fight.

Du Plessis referenced a video of Adesanya and his dog which appears to be a bit of a sore subject for “The Last Stylebender”, as was proven after the Strickland fight.

“I think he said, ‘Don’t kiss me’, as far as I know. I said I’m no dog so I won’t and you know, I don’t really know what he was saying. I wasn’t really focused on what he was saying.”

Jon Jones Says He Has Experienced ‘Spirit Channelling’ & Magic’ For Himself Following UFC 303 Controversy

Alex Pereira and Ji?í Procházka are two of the most intense individuals in the sport when it comes to fight night.

Before UFC 303 got underway, Procházka spoke about how he believed “Poatan” was using the help of magic and spirits in his fight, asking him to abstain in their rematch.

Whilst Pereira offered a classy response to this in his post-fight interview after beating the former champion, UFC heavyweight champ Jon Jones is the latest to weigh in on this.

He posted on social media about how there is some truth to this based on his experiences of stepping into certain arenas and coming up against specific opponents.

“There has been a lot of talk about spirit channeling and magic in MMA lately. This stuff is all very real. I felt all types of weird energies walking into those arenas. Looking certain opponents in the eyes. I want to let you all know that Jesus Christ is king, he is and always will be undefeated. Every knee shall bow.”

Nate Diaz Reveals How He Negotiated A Much Higher Purse For His First Fight With Conor McGregor

Nate Diaz has always been a cult icon in combat sports but UFC 196 was a moment that changed his life forever.

The Stockton fighter became a huge name overnight when he stepped into the main event on late notice to fight Conor McGregor in one of the most iconic moments in the history of the sport.

Diaz was well compensated for stepping up to save the day in place of Rafael Dos Anjos but he did have to put his foot down in order to get a much higher purse than was initially offered.

He told MMA great Demetrious Johnson during an interview on The MightyCast how he knew what his own value was at the time and made sure he was suitably compensated.

“At the time, it was (the biggest pay check I’d received). But they were trying to give me pennies for that too,” Diaz said. “I was like, ‘Yeah, right. I know what I’m doing here. I’ve been through it.’ I’d already been into it with the organization about that. So they called me and they were like, ‘Hey, while you’re going to do this, we’re going to give you a million dollars.’ I was like, ‘Hey, you’re gonna give me more than that.’

“So I got like five times more than that because of that. I knew the game by then and I was like, ‘F*ck that,’” Diaz continued. “Remember when I was telling you about how if I fight every two months, I could be rich. That basic math attitude kind of f*cking times 10, times 100, over and over again. So I knew what it was with the whole money in the business and sh*t. I might not be educated but I’m not stupid.”

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